G4500 idling

[Harry Mueller]

Good Afternoon All,

We recently took delivery of a Type III ambulance on a Chevy G4500 chassis. Shortly after delivery (meaning less than an hour after the vendor left) the engine went into "reduced power" mode and would not go over 2000 rpm.

GM has informed us that the chassis should not be idled for more than 25 minutes or it will be likely to repeat this problem. They also informed us that, although it is now legal to do so, they will not modify the vehicle to eliminate this problem as they "spent a lot of money complying with the new emission requirements and we will not allow this to be shut off or modified in any way".

I am wondering if anyone has found a way to reduce the chances of going into "reduced power" mode that would allow longer idle times and (I realize this may be an operational question) developed policies and procedures that speak to this issue.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Harry


--
Harry Mueller, RP
Captain/Operations Coordinator
McGregor EMS
47 College Rd.
Durham NH 03824
603-397-3041 (direct)
603-862-3674 (main)
603-862-4415 (fax)
hmue...@mcgregorems.org
http://www.mcgregorems.org

[Ken Springhorn]

If we use the fast idle setting, there does not to appear to be a problem.
 

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[skipki...@nc.rr.com]

Same for us. We high idle for long periods without issue.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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From: Ken Springhorn <rebo...@msn.com>

Sender: nemsma-...@googlegroups.com

Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2012 12:42:26 -0500

To: <nemsma-...@googlegroups.com>

ReplyTo: nemsma-...@googlegroups.com

Subject: RE: G4500 idling

[Harry Mueller]

Hmm..that seems like a very easy solution. I'm wondering why my Chevy dealer did not offer that up as a possible way to resolve the problem.

Thank you gentlemen.

--Harry

On Aug 17, 2012, at 1:42 PM, Ken Springhorn <rebo...@msn.com> wrote:

> If we use the fast idle setting, there does not to appear to be a problem.

[Mike Edge]

We had the same issue and corrected it, I can’t remember what they did. We use the high idle and now it runs hot, we open the hood with it in high idle and it cools down. It doesn’t run hot when it is running, only when stopped an in high idle.

[Kyle Dixon]

Our crews use the high idle feature on all our ambulances which range from Fords, GMC's, and Freightliners. They are typically set at 1200 RPMS. I have never heard of an ambulance going into low power mode because of an extended normal idle period. I would highly encourage the use of high idle all the time as it reduces wear on engine parts, increases alternator output for the many devices pulling from the voltage system, increases air conditioning output among a few.

Sent from my IPhone

[Kyle Dixon]

Mike, 

That sounds like an issue with the fan, fan clutch, or a blocked radiator not a high idle issue. With high idle activated it will only increase the speed of the engine fan, hence cooling the engine. 

Sent from my IPhone 

[Ken Springhorn]

We had that issue with the fan clutch--was either relay or fuse--can't remember which one right know
 

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Subject: Re: G4500 idling
From: kdi...@co.adams.il.us
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:15:46 -0500
To: nemsma-...@googlegroups.com