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techlink monitor
Hello all, I have a 98 XL Marathon Coach #500. seem my Techlink monitor did not work when i bought the coach at Marathon TX. they replaced with temporary monitor so i could at least back up. I have no clue about my bus stats..water levels, power, etc,. are there used monitors out there? how about upgrades? any help would be great.. not a huge fan of Marathion TX right now ( except for a few shop guys).PM me if you want more info on that.
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17 Replies
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On my coach (#524) the monitor is just a composite video display. Any off the shelf unit that will fit the space will do. An example
There is a button that switches the display from backup camera to Techlink computer output, plus another button to cycle through the Techlink menus.
But since your backup camera is working, your display is probably fine. You are probably refering to the Techlink computer and display card converting the computer output to a composite signal. In my coach, the computer and the converter is in the cabinet behind the driver seat. Does the button/relay that switches techlink output to the monitor work?
Make sure the computer in the cabinet has power. Let us know what you find out
Gerald
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Several months ago my Techlink system stopped working at the dash monitor. I could verify that the monitor still worked because the back-up camera could still be used. The Techlink computer sends a video feed to any number of display sources around the coach. Verify if it is working by seeing if you can get a Techlink screen on one of your TV’s. In my case the computer was fine becuase the bedroom TV would display the various Techlink functions. What I discovered was that a video feed plug had vibrated loose above the driver’s seat. Once plugged back in, everything returned to normal. Hope this helps and is relevant to your problem.
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Just a general note here…. I’ve had quite a bit of success finding old parts on eBay and Amazon.Walt
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Thanks for all the info..BTW T.G.I like your John Henry sculpture. Hes a very good friend of mine.
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Thanks Gerald, I ordered the model on Amazon for about a gazillion $$ less then what Marathon TX Im sure was going to charge me. Then I called them… They said my year doesnt have RCA connections to the computer, still has old style computer screw in connections unless I upgrade..UGGGGGH
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A good starting place here would be to determine just how Stretchs vintage Techlink is suppose to work. I doubt in 98 the Techlink could be viewed on the TV’s like my 02 and probably is viewed at the backup monitor.
What did Marathon TX tell you was wrong with the Techlink? If you bought the coach from Marathon, did it not work when you made the purchase?
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My coach is #526 which is close to yours and it uses a composite video RCA plug.
The only older “screw-in” interface would be VGA. The Pyle display might have direct VGA input. If not just get a VGA to composite converter. They are cheap.
Gerald
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Marathon Tx. Said it was working fine…which it was NOT, as were many other items that were not mentioned to me and the PDI was not shown to me either. Many of the problems were on the PDI and many issues were OK’D on the PDI that were not. i.e. . Generator ran fine for 1.5 hrs on auto gen. 2hrs later turns off. Needed new controller or something. Trip back 500 miles. Generator hr gage/ meter does not function stuck at 3000. Seems to me that’s like turning an odometer back if you claim it has X amount of hrs.lights don’t dim,hooked up trailer connection incorrect, Plus many more things AC, auto fill, breakers popping, heaters making noise, tires dates not what I was told. HUGE disconnect from sales to shop lead. If it wasn’t for a couple guys in shop I would have demanded money back.. Still not satisfied…can ya tell?
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Stretch,
You cannot unring a bell, but now you are in a position to know better what works, doesn’t work, or should have been serviced. Start a list. Do a highly detailed inspection so you reveal things you may not already have found. Take your time and be methodical.
Rely heavily on the Marathon owners on this forum to help you understand how things are supposed to work. Some issues may be because you aren’t using the right switches, others may be because something just is not right.
When you return to Marathon, as upset as you might be, compare what they said they did or fixed or serviced with what you have found and give them the opportunity to make things right. Converters have generally bent over backwards to help their customers and if they said they did something, and it is not correct it is entirely possible they are going to correct it at their expense. Give them the opportunity to satisfy your needs.
I would strongly urge you to try to avoid confrontation. You may report the results of your efforts to get the coach fixed here. As long as what you post is constructive we will allow it because we all can learn from the experiences of others. Marathon has gotten high praise in the past. We hope you can add to that.
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Having been at both Marathon dealerships in TX & FL, I would stick with FL any day of the week. Much better trained staff. I understand OR is even better & I hope to travel up the West coast in 2017 to check it out for myself. Leon is the “go to” Man there & is really the best service anywhere at Marathon.
I did have a comprehensive PDI by Prevost & Marathon. It was pretty good, but I still needed to shell out some coin to get it mechanically where Jon’s maintenance checklist is. That was factored into my purchase price when I bought it.
So so much to learn, but definitely enjoying the trip along the way!
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The hour meters on the generator do have a tendency to go out due to vibration. Mine was dead too when I purchased the bus and I did not catch it.
My concern would be less the unknown total hours as generators last a long time but more the lack of maintenance this might cause.
The hour meters are easily replaced. I found the identical unit online. Just make a note in your maintenance log for the next owner.
Gerald
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Stretch,
If you have Trace inverters, the auto gen may be set to shut off after 2 hours of charging. All of those parameters on the Trace are adjustable. If bulk/absorption charge is set to 2 hrs, it will shut down using that timeframe.
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Thanks all. I’m with you guys on making the list and the shop has been very supportive with my questions. I will keep the forum up to date on what happens and what I have done. I’m also on the page of constructive criticism not just to pound people down. I learned that one along time ago..I think..
I took apart the dash today and pulled out the connector for the VGA when it arrives Monday..(Love Amazon) I’m now told it will probably have to be sync up so everything reads correct.. I will wait and see.
Don’t want to continue with all issues yet thanks in advance to everyone..do love my coach and Frisco Colorado bound this week. If anyone is in the area and loves BBQ I’m competing there and will fill your bellies. -
Stretch,
I bought my coach in the DFW area and also had Marathon in Fort Worth do a PDI and the things found were used to negotiate the sell price. I can understand your frustration, but as Jon said get a list put together and go talk to them, ask for Bob Bomar who is very knowledgable, he came from Marathon Oregon, I’m sure if you talk with him you can get things worked out.
Mark
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Stretch,
Very jealous of your upcoming trip to Frisco. I wanted to compete this year as well. Unfortunately timing was just a little off so I’m still down here in FL melting. Best of luck to you! Let us know how it goes.
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