Big Rig Speed Governor Control System - FAQ

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How does this thing work?

This device simply plugs into the existing wiring system between the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) and the Engine Control Module (ECM). The supplied leads are then routed up into the cab where the device will be located. 12 volt power is supplied via a cigarette lighter plug. When the device is activated it over-rides the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) and sends a Driver Controlled, alternate speed signal to the computer. The Driver sets the speed below the Computer programmed Top road speed. The computer will continue to add power until the maximum RPM is reached. The driver always has full control of vehicle speed using the accelerator pedal. You can set the device at any speed within the range of 5 to 75 mph. You must determine at what speed your greatest rpm can be achieved since Max. rpm is controlled by the Engine Control Module (ECM) programming and varies from truck to truck. This device will not change your rpm governor. Some trucks have been programmed to produce maximum rpm (1850+) only in lower gears, or under 30-35 mph. Others are capable of maximum RPM until top road speed is reached. Once you have determined your maximum rpm road speed, simply set the device slightly under this speed. When you turn the device off or remove it, your truck returns to "normal" operation.

When properly installed, this device is completely undetectable by the truck computer and Qual-Comm. The driver is now in full control of ALL speed related data that is sent to the computer and to Qual-Comm.

I drive a Freightliner Argosy Cab-over with a CUMMINS SIGNATURE 520 HP
AT 2000 RPM WITH A RTLO 20918 B GEARBOX AND METIOR  RT 46-160 DIFFS
WITH 4.3 RATIO, will your installation kit fit my truck?

Thanks for the inquiry. It is a good thing you asked because the
Argosy cabover does require a longer installation cable than most trucks.
In addition to the XM6KT you will also need a 6' (1.8m) Extension
Cable, Item XM6EC6. This will extend the Main Cable length to 18' (5.5m)
which will be more than adequate for your vehicle. All items may be
ordered from our catalog. Just use this link:
http://www.fastertruck.com/catalog.html
   
When you get these two items, XM6KT and XM6EC6, you should have
everything you need for a professional installation on your Argosy.
   
It is a good idea to check your existing connectors to insure a
good match with our installation kit cables. Just use this link and
compare with the connectors to your speed sensor.
http://www.fastertruck.com/connectors.html
   
If you have only ONE sensor or one set of sensor leads (2-wires)
then you're good to go with the items mentioned above. If there are two speed sensors or  2 sets of leads (4-wires) then you may need one of these items, XM6WY or XM6MY, depending on connector type. These are Y adapter cables (Catalog) and they keep the odometer mileage and ECM mileage in-sinc, so they always confirm each other and always read the same.
If you have any questions please send me an email and I will do my
best to answer promptly. Thanks for your interest.

What's the best way to route wiring on permanent installations?

The best way to route the cables is to strap them to the existing wiring harness bundle. You will receive cable ties with your kit. Follow the existing wire bundle right along to the cab interior and
use a cable tie every 1 foot (.3m) or so. There is usually an extra vacant hole in the firewall to provide entry to the cab interior or you can squeeze in along side the existing harness.
   
After cable installation, spray WD-40 on underside cables to achieve a more natural look. Within a week or two, not even the installer will be able tell which cable is which or that anything has been changed. If you really want to get crazy, then you can douse the entire top of the transmission and wire bundles with diesel fuel... This is a serious deterrent to prying eyes and not that unusual because if you have ever had a fuel line leak on the engine, as I have, then you will know that
the entire transmission can be saturated very quickly.

Will the truck computer be able to tell how fast I'm driving?

No. When the device is activated the truck computer or engine control module (ECM) will show and record speed data as shown on the speedometer which is controlled by the driver regardless of actual road speed. The device has the same effect on Qualcomm. You won't hear an "over-speed" beep when the unit is activated and only "driver controlled" speed data will be transmitted, not actual road speed.

Auto Transmissions:

I drive an '06 IVECO STRALIS with an iveco 550hp engine in it. it has a 16 speed automatic tranny and does 100kph at 1480rpm. The bloke that owns it is keen on getting the european hussy moving. i noticed the q. in the f.a.q page saying that is was unsure if the safetypasspro worked on those trucks. Just wondering if u knew any 1 who would know or could post an ad on your web site asking for some info on how to get the iveco moving. it revs to like 2600 eh so it's got potential to move. Thanx bloke! Great Site!!

We have tried it on some automatics, with mixed results. Some worked fine, others not at all. The ones that worked had the speed sensor located on the tail shaft, just like standard transmissions and the connectors matched our installation kit. See connector and sensor locations here: http://www.fastertruck.com/connectors.html

The Iveco, We haven't had any experience with these engines. If the speed sensor looks similar to the ones on the connector page, then the SafetyPass Pro may work. We will post your message on the FAQ page and perhaps we can get some feed-back from Iveco owners.

I realize that your website says that the Safely Pass Pro is not for use on automatics, but are there any drivers out there that has tried this unit on an automatic?  Does it work at all, partially,  not at all?  I’m curious because my company runs all automatics.  I’m almost tempted to try it anyway just for the hell of it.

The unit will work with Eaton smart-shift, in manual mode only. We have tried it on other automatics, with mixed results. Some worked fine, others not at all. The ones that worked had the speed sensor located on the tail shaft, just like standard transmissions and the connectors matched our installation kit. So, if you have this configuration there is a good possibility that the unit will work for you. See connector and sensor locations here: http://www.fastertruck.com/connectors.html

On the other hand, if you have different connectors that plug into the side of the tranny or a "comparator" that is, a speed sensor located on the bell housing, it probably won't work. I hope this helps answer your question.

Hello, I would like to know if you have a technique or something to increase the rpm? I would want that the rpm rise has 2300 instead of 2100, but it is blocked by the ecm.

There are 2 governors on your vehicle; one is for road speed, the other is for engine RPM. Our device controls only the road speed governor. We do not have anything that will increase the engine RPM beyond the programmed maximum. Sorry.

Can I remove the device before I take the truck in for service? How long does it take?

You can remove the control unit only. It takes about 10 seconds. You can also remove the entire setup, including the installation harness, this takes 3 to 5 minutes. After removal the vehicle returns to "pre-installation" status, complete with computer speed limitation.

I have a 2005 Kenworth w/ 475 Cat Lightning 10 Speed by Eaton Fuller. My truck turns 2100 rpm in every gear except 10th. In 10th gear the maximum speed is 78mph at 1600 rpm. My gear ratio is 3.36. After reading the information on your web site and the faq's, I am still a little confused as to how fast my truck will run with your device. I am very interested in purchasing your device, as well as four or five other guys I work with, but I need a little clarification of some questions first.

Your maximum speed with the device installed would be equivalent to 2100 rpm in top gear. To find out how fast this is before you get the device, just roll-off a long hill in top gear and see what the speedo says when your tach reaches 2100 rpm. The device works well on Cat engines. You will be very pleased with the SafetyPass Pro.

Will this work on a Volvo Truck with a Volvo engine?

This Answer came from one of our customer's in the USA - dated 04/13/06

Hi, just dropping you quick not to let you know that your product works on volvo VE D12 and VE D16 engines at least 2004 and 2005. just letting you know because it dosent say volvo engines on your website. thanks for making such a great product. keep up the good work.

I have purchased a unit off of you and love it. I do have a question. My trucking company is starting to phase in 2008 model trucks. Will this unit work on the newer models or is there a way to "upgrade" my current system??? I don't want to be "caught" if I try this on a newer tractor on one of my runs.

We have not yet tested the unit on 2008 engines so I'm unable to say if it will work or not. We are truck drivers just like you and we always used our company vehicles for testing new engines or we ask for feedback from our customers. So far, we have no data on 2008 vehicles. If you decide to try it on a new truck, please let me know what brand of engine, truck and tranny you have and tell me how it works. The best way "not to get caught" is always use the temporary hook-up. Remove everything prior to servicing the truck. Always turn off the ignition prior to making connections or removing the unit and, of course, don't blow your peers off the road (I have a hard time with this one). Also remember, with GPS, there is no way to mask your speed. Real-time speed data, with only a 1 or 2 second delay is now possible. The device will mask Qual-Comm but not GPS, so keep this in mind if your company is using it. When we start getting data on the 2008's I will send you an update.

Do you know if the SafetyPass will work on late model electronic Hino’s, Iveco’s or Scania?

Sorry, I don't know the answer to that question. We don't have any of those trucks in the states. I can only assume that they don't have Cat, Cummins or Detroit engines. I always tell them to match the connectors first. If they match, there is a good chance it will work.

I have been thinking of getting one of these for my husband but I would like to know if it is compatable with a Mack?

Thanks for the inquiry. I'm sorry, the device does not work on Mack or Mercedes engines. It only works on Cat, Cummins, Detroit and Volvo Engines that we are sure of. He just needs a different truck. Please email if you need more info.

At what point of the order process do we identify the connector types?

Connectors should be identified before you place your order. Use this link to see what connectors you must have on your vehicle to match our installation kit and where they are located.  http://www.fastertruck.com/connectors.html Having the right connectors makes hook-up a snap.

I have a 2003 Century Freightliner with a Series 60 Detroit engine. I don't quite understand how this system works. I had the parameters printed out for my ECM and it says that "Rated engine RPM is 2110" but under the shift page it says "High gear RPM limit is 1800". Does this mean that if I have this device installed on my truck that once the engine rpm reaches 1800, that will be my road speed? If so how am I gaining any speed if I already can do 1800 rpm and the speedo is registering 65mph? Please help me clear this up because I am interested in your product.

Your truck's computer doesn't actually know what gear your in, it only knows how fast you are traveling. To verify this, drive down hill, at 60mph put the transmission in neutral so you are coasting, maintain full throttle, as your truck crosses the 65 mph computer speed limit the RPM will drop to 1800. This will prove my point. When you activate the SafetyPass Pro and have it set below 65 mph, the computer will give you 2110 RPM regardless of your actual road speed and no matter what gear your in. I hope this answers your question.

How fast can we get the unit if we order it today? We live in the U.S.

It usually takes 3 - 4 business days for U.S. delivery and 5-7 for Australia and other countries. We use USPS Priority mail and Express mail International. We ship within 24 hrs. on business days.

Will the cruise control still operate at the higher speed once I switch on the unit and
accelerate to say, 75, or will I have to hold the pedal manually?

The cruise control will produce full throttle, but will not work relative to road speed. The speed signal from the device has to be set above the minimum cut-off point for the cruise control to function, 30-35mph or 50-58kmh, and below your ECM governed speed. So if you want to keep your truck "floored", use the cruise. It should work all the way to your MAX. rpm. If you want something less than the maximum, then you'll want to use the accelerator pedal to better regulate your speed.

Will this device allow a truck to also idle instead of shut down every 5 minutes or so?

In most cases the device will allow the truck to idle forever. Also, the idle time is actually recorded by the truck computer as running time (driving time). This keeps the actual idle time that is recorded by the vehicle computer very low.

I would like to know if this device will allow the speedometer and odometer to function while the device is activated?

The speedometer functions normally when the SafetyPass Pro device is turned off or disconnected. When the device is turned on the speedometer will indicate the current speed as set on the device. The SafetyPass Pro has a speed range of 5 to 75 mph.

In the description it says, "no time limit, you can sustain speeds indefinitely," but in your "precautions"
disclaimer it states "only to be used temporarily." Is this just a legal disclaimer to protect you or is there
another reason such as doing some kind of permanent damage to the truck's computer?

We do highly recommend that the device be used only when needed to increase passing safety, although there is no requirement or limitation to do so and no damage to the ECM has ever been reported. Prolonged use may, and probably will have a severe effect on fuel mileage. Using the device for "PASSING ONLY" will help save fuel, help you maintain a clean driving record and DAC report and it will aid you in keeping a "low profile" where the device is concerned.

I have already purchase one of your units. On a recent trip with a mate he discovered how handy the unit is.
We are looking at hard wiring a unit into his truck. The question is can the on / off switch be hard wired into a toggle swith on the dash? leaving the unit hidden behind the dash so that it can't be detected. Apparently there is one enforcement officer in South Australia that pulls on the overalls and climbs under the truck to look for wires. So we would also be looking at tapping into the speed sensor lines further towards the motor. This is to keep them away from being too visible at the back of the gear box.

I am glad to hear that you are enjoying the device. Yes you can put the unit behind the dash. All that is required is a switched power source. In other words, switch the device to the ON position, stow behind the dash and then plug in power cord to cigar lighter or add 12 volt toggle switch to supply electricity when needed. When power is disconnected you will return to normal operation. This should work well for you. Now, on to permanent cable installation. The best way to do an undetectable installation is to just hook up the installation cables without cutting or splicing the wires. Run installation cables along the existing wire harness and enter cab through the firewall and route to the back of dash. Use the Black Cable ties to secure the cables. Once done, then use WD-40 and spray the cables so they will collect dust. You can also use diesel fuel if you really want to keep people from looking. Then, just find a dusty road or parking lot and drive around a little. Within 1 week, not even you will be able to tell which cable is which. I know this from personal experience because I had a fuel line break one time and it completely doused the rear of the engine and the entire transmission. This makes excellent "Mechanic Repellent", or "enforcement officer repellent" in this case. Hope this helps you. If you need extra cables or connectors, just browse our catalog. Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated. Please feel to send a note and let me know how things are going.

The instrument worked well on our truck.  I really would like to add another VSS and hook it directly to the speedometer, disconnecting the computer leads at the speedometer head, that way I could tell how fast I am running with the speedometer.  Do you know if it will work that way?  Would the signal then be set with the tach?  Thanks for your advise.  I got some weather-pack assembly kits from the guys at the truck shop supply room.  Have a great day and thanks again for a ingenious device.

Thanks for keeping in touch. Good to hear from you and I'm glad you like the device. You have an interesting idea, although I would advise that you leave it as is. Let me share a story with you... Most pre-1999 year trucks used 2 vss' sensors as you are describing. One went to the speedo and the other to the computer. We would hook to the computer sensor to increase speed, which worked great. The problem was the speedo odometer and the computer (ECM) odometer were "out of sync". In other words, they showed different mileages. This mileage gap differential will continue to "grow" the more you use the device and can "send up RED flags" to an astute service technician. Now, I'm not sure if this would be of concern to you, but I wanted you to be aware of it, just in case it is. What we ended up doing to remedy this situation is making up a "Y" adapter, using weather-pack connectors, and connecting the speedo and computer to the same sensor. That way they're always in sync, no matter how often you use the device. No Red Flags, No discrepancies. The only problem with this is, like your saying, the speedo is no longer accurate when the device is activated. So, you have to use your tach to determine your accurate road speed. This method becomes second nature after you have used the device for a while. On my truck, 1750 rpm in top gear always equaled 80 mph actual road speed, 1900 rpm was always 87 mph, etc. Meanwhile I would have the device set at 65 mph and this is the speed the computer would record for later scrutiny by mechanics or company officials. So, bottom line, it worked great and I never had a problem.

I was wondering if u had a fax # for ordering, some guys at work would like to order also but have no computer at home.

Presently we are not technologically equipped to handle Fax or Phone orders but we can accept payment by mail using a money order, sorry no personal checks. The only problem is, it will take a while to get your order because we have to wait for bank approval before we can ship. Print out the payment form from this page: http://www.fastertruck.com/paymentoptions

Will you ship to Canada ??

Absolutely. We ship to the following countries: USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom (UK), United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait. Custom's import duties may apply.

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