The Dakar organizers excluded the MAZ-SPORTauto team from the Dakar participants due to EU sanctions

The MAZ truck with Euro-3 and Euro-4 engines is a simple and unpretentious vehicle to operate. A restless worker, he plows day and night without knowing tiredness. Modern MAZ is not very far from its European brothers in terms of equipping it with computer systems. But the reliability of this technology is a little lacking. There can be a very unpleasant situation when the car’s engine suddenly stalls and stops starting. Our company is engaged in eliminating this malfunction on the following car models:

• MAZ-5440
• MAZ-5516
• MAZ-5551
• MAZ-4370

• MAZ-5336
• MAZ-6303
• MAZ-6430
• MAZ-5337

View the entire range

MAZ-6310 MAZ-5659 MAZ-4744 MAZ-4782 MAZ-5309 MAZ-6501 MAZ-5549 MAZ-5309 MAZ-4371 MAZ-5659

MAZ-6516 MAZ-5432 MAZ-103 MAZ-6317 MAZ-6422 MAZ-6514 MAZ-5743 MAZ-5340 MAZ-4571 MAZ-5550

MAZ-4570 MAZ-6312 MAZ-5434 MAZ-4581 MAZ-5316 MAZ-6517 MAZ-5549 MAZ-500 MAZ-5316 MAZ-5334

When the MAZ stops starting, the “Check Engine” malfunction lamp lights up on the dashboard. But the malfunction indicator may not light up. There are two possible scenarios:

1. When you turn the ignition key, the starter rotates the engine
2. The starter does not turn on and does not crank the engine

Let's take a closer look at each type of truck malfunction.

MAZ starter does not turn

If the control system of the above vehicle does not turn on the starter when turning the key in the ignition, then the cause of the malfunction lies in the electrical equipment or electronic systems of the vehicle. The reasons may be the following:

• Starter malfunction
• Damage to the relay and fuse box
• Ignition switch malfunction
• Broken or shorted electrical wiring
• CAN bus break or short circuit
• starter relay failure
• No supply voltage to engine control unit
• Lack of contacts in electrical wiring connectors
• Ignition switch malfunction
• Failure of the vehicle's main relay
• Break of “mass”
• Engine control unit malfunction

What does MAZ's exclusion mean for the race?

The disappearance of Vyazovich and company from among the participants is a huge blow to the intrigue in the Dakar cargo classification. Yes, now the KAMAZ-master’s chances for another victory have become even higher (of the competitors, only de Rooy’s team remains, but without Gerard himself at the wheel, plus singletons like Martin Macik and Ales Loprais will have very theoretical chances), but it’s unlikely Naberezhnye Chelny is very happy about this.

The more serious competitors there are, the more intense the struggle, the more valuable the victory and the more PR after the successful completion of the race. And it’s not without reason that both KAMAZ-master and Ales Loprais have already released statements in support of their colleagues from Belarus.

“We express our support to our friends-athletes from Belarus and hope that together with the race organizers they will be able to solve the problems that have arisen and will participate in the competition, which with their participation will undoubtedly be brighter and more interesting,” reads the KAMAZ-master statement. .

“We would like to support MAZ-SPORTauto in their desire to become participants in the upcoming Dakar Rally 2022. Politics should not influence the sport in any way. Guys, we are with you! #MAZ4DKR2022,” wrote Loprais.

There is practically no chance of Mazovians returning to the Dakar 2022 participants. But nothing prevents you from hoping for some kind of New Year's miracle.

Starter turns but won't start

If the starter of a KAMAZ-Cummins truck rotates when you turn the ignition key, but the engine does not show any signs of “life”. The cause of the breakdown may lie in both the electrics of the truck and the mechanics. The reasons for the electrical malfunction can be as described earlier, in addition to the reasons related to the starter and its circuits, additionally the following reasons:

• Malfunction of the high pressure fuel pump (HPF)
• Mechanical engine failure
• “Airing” of the fuel system
• Lack of fuel in the tank
• Fuel filter clogged
• Clogged fuel lines
• Check valve failure
• Mechanical failure of injectors

Engine diagnostics

Our company’s specialists diagnose the engine control system when a MAZ truck does not start and eliminate the malfunction. Significant experience of master diagnosticians and the availability of specialized computer diagnostic equipment allows you to quickly find and fix a breakdown. Repairs, if necessary, are carried out with replacement programming, spare parts, and parameterization.

MAZ stalled in Reutov

Further from practice, one of these cases of diagnosis and repair. Our long-term client from the city of Reutov called, he has a MAZ Euro-3, produced in 2012, with a V-8 engine. The car owner said that the car worked perfectly, but suddenly, without any prerequisites, stalled. All attempts to start were in vain, the starter turned properly, but the car did not even start. Taking with him all the necessary equipment for diagnostics and repair, the foreman went to the site of the truck malfunction. How great it is to move around the city on weekends and holidays! After spending a minimum amount of time traveling, the auto electrician arrived at the car. Computer diagnostics produced a bunch of sporadic errors, which were subsequently permanently deleted. Further, diagnostic tests, including the fuel system, revealed a mechanical malfunction of the high-pressure fuel pump. But, alas, this is no longer our watch. All we had to do was hand over this car to the mechanics and go to the base with a clear conscience.

What does sport have to do with it?

It seems that the main problem is in the sanctions clause prohibiting any economic and financial relations with MAZ. That is, the ASO company, a resident of the European Union, simply does not have the legal right to cooperate with the Belarusian company or specifically with MAZ-SPORTauto, because the team is directly connected with the plant.

Let the Dakar be held on the territory of Saudi Arabia, but it is the French who organize it, all agreements regarding participation in the race must be concluded with them, so at the moment it is not clear whether MAZ can somehow get out of this situation, and the organizers - help him.

Should we quickly create a new legal entity not related to MAZ and transfer people and equipment there? But who will believe in the absence of ties with the automobile plant if the crews continue to perform on its vehicles and were previously supported by MAZ for many years? And applications for the Dakar are already closed...

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Rather, here you can see if it is possible for MAZ to compete in the Dakar without having legal contacts with ASO. Belarusians, in theory, can get to the race without a ferry (on their own or using a cargo air flight, although this is very expensive), but is it realistic to be a participant in a race without any contracts with its promoter? Let's be honest: the chances of this are minimal, and here, rather, the question is whether the Mazovians will be able to come up with something before the 2023 Dakar.

As for the situation here and now, the main question is: where was ASO before the end of November? The sanctions were introduced back in the summer, and it is simply surprising that the promoters’ lawyers did not study the current situation in advance. If MAZ had not been allowed to start at the start, there would have been noticeably less noise - sanctions, whatever you want... But when you accept the entry fee, assign numbers, push the team to actively spend on the development of equipment, and at the last moment kick the ball, it looks weird and dirty.

Does KAMAZ need a bonnet, since the truck with the new cab is so good? The team answers

Quick engine start

The third team got an almost selective competition to launch the car. The call came from the owner of a MAZ car with an offer to start it. The car wouldn't start. Arriving at the place, we saw almost a crowd of called electricians. Of all stripes and with all their equipment - cool and not so cool. In our cars, on foot, in taxis, unless there were bicycles. The picture was similar to the Eurovision qualifying competition in Armenia or the competition for the selection of witches, shamans and the battle of psychics. Quietly waiting for his turn, since the owner’s condition was that whoever started the car would be rewarded with a cash bonus. Looking almost the whole day at all the disgrace that the charlatans carried out with the MAZ car, we could not help but smile - after all, they wouldn’t start it anyway. And so it happened. The last “hero of our time” on a cool pickup truck with cool equipment and a very loud company name on the car doors, which seems to speak for itself, never coped with the nanotechnologies of the Belarusian automobile industry and gave up. We only had 30 minutes, when the MAZ started up perfectly, purring cheerfully to the applause of sympathizers and empathizers. So, in this case, the prize still went to us. Whatever one may say, the beautiful farce says nothing. The main thing is the skill, experience and knowledge of the specialist who works on your car.

Tipper set

A rectangular dump platform with a volume of 20 m3 and a load capacity of 20 tons with rear unloading and mechanical locking is controlled using a Penta hydraulic cylinder and is heated by exhaust gases. This type of body, in combination with a fairly long wheelbase (3875+1400 mm), is intended for transporting bulk, non-sticky, large-volume cargo with average specific densities in the range of 0.9–1.3 m3/t - sand, crushed stone, soil, construction waste , snow or, for example, solid waste. Mainly, this is a road modification, but the presence of blockages also means periodic driving off the improved surface. The presence of a reinforced frame and a rear bogie with a lifting capacity of 26 tons, in theory, should withstand both a broken road and some overload, but within reasonable limits.

Having examined the detailing of the MAZ-6501V9 car, I came to the conclusion that it would best fit into a vehicle fleet with its own repair base, where hardworking mechanics still remember Soviet trucks. The peculiarity of the car is that it is a long-familiar MAZ, but with an imported power unit and dump hydraulics. Most likely, if handled properly, foreign components will require simple maintenance, which will be limited to changing oils, filters and occasional adjustments. And everything else will be immediately put in order without the involvement of expensive equipment and the need to visit a beautiful, but expensive dealer service. I thought about it, doubted it, but came to the conclusion that such a fruit of joint creativity of imported technologies and domestic design has the right to life and will be in demand even today, since it will save money that flows into the pockets of transport workers not with the power of Niagara Falls.

Yes, and here's another thing.
Today, many enterprises financed from the state budget are tasked with import substitution, and MAZ represents a very interesting alternative for the operator... Technical characteristics of the MAZ-6501B9-8420-000 (6x4) dump truck

MAZ Euro-3 will not start

Another application is a MAZ Euro 3, manufactured in 2008, which is located in the village of Dubki, Odintsovo district. The car refuses to start, but the starter is spinning. Computer diagnostics of the engine showed that the fuel rail was 80% open and the rail did not pass the test, it remained motionless. After removing the fuel rail position sensor, it turned out that it was dirty and frozen. After cleaning the sensor and assembling it, the fuel rack drive was calibrated, after which the car started up and was able to continue moving.

Might be interesting

Relay contacts stick on MAZ

Another team went to a 2013 MAZ, with a 6-line engine. The driver said that the car periodically enters emergency mode, and when you turn off the ignition, the engine still runs. The second malfunction is so obvious to a specialist that problems cannot arise with its search. Just the relay contacts at terminal 15 are stuck. The relay was changed, and the car began to turn off again. Next, computer diagnostics were carried out, which showed the incorrect balance of the fuel system. After a little inspection of the fuel system, the foreman suggested replacing the pressure relief valve. After replacing the valve, the engine began to run smoothly, which meant the completion of work on this MAZ. That's all for today, see you again.