Rover Ops Track: Autonomy, Field Maintenance and Drones · Module 2 of 4 · about 15 min
Field maintenance
Modern machines are networks on wheels. Controllers talk over a CAN bus, a two-wire network that carries messages between the engine, brakes, steering and sensors. Heavy equipment often uses the J1939 protocol on top of CAN. A scan tool or laptop on the diagnostic port reads fault codes and live data.
Fault codes tell you where to look, not what to replace. Check the basics first: power, grounds, connectors and wiring. Corroded pins and chafed harnesses cause many electrical faults on machines that work in dust, water and vibration.
Electric and hybrid machines carry high-voltage battery systems, often hundreds of volts DC. High-voltage cables are usually orange. Only trained techs work on them, following the maker's procedure to disable and lock out the system, wait for capacitors to drain and verify zero voltage with a rated meter and insulated gloves.
Sensor upkeep is part of the job: cleaning lenses and lidar windows, checking mounts and running calibration after a sensor is moved or replaced. A sensor that is a few degrees off can make a perfect machine drive badly.
Sources
Module quiz
5 questions, 4 correct to pass. You'll see what you missed and why, and you can retake it.