The Use of Multipurpose Displays as a Datalink Systems Diagnostic Aid on Heavy-Duty Trucks

Electronics troubleshooting capability for a Heavy-Duty Truck can be realized using a simple display that shows diagnostic messages. By looking at the datalink for fault messages from any device on the truck, the capability of preliminarily diagnosing problems on a vehicle system can be displayed. This paper compares different approaches for presenting diagnostic information to indicate problems and initiate problem resolution. It also covers the limitations of display technology including the constraints of size, placement, cost, and types of displays. These limitations create different approaches with unique functionality, but with the same goal of providing the owner/operator with information that only a service tool could otherwise provide. These issues will be compared to suggest a compromise approach that is fully functional, yet cost effective design that takes up no more space than a digital odometer.