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Stuart W · 06-20-2018, 09:24 PM

Today while camping here in SoCal, another 2018 Dutch Star 4369 pulled in. The wife and I went over to them to introduce ourselves, of course I started out with how do you like your new motorhome, their answer was when it starts we like it, we have driven out from Florida and it’s happened the hole way, to the point we are afraid to turn it off. It seems that intermittently, but very frequently he turns the key and nothing happens. He relates it to the power shades and believes that it’s related. I don’t have power shades so I’m not sure, please let me know if they are related to starting. The other question is, have any of you had this no start condition and if so what was the failure? Hoping to get them some help. Stuart

Winepress · 06-20-2018, 09:40 PM

I’m not there, but can’t see how the shades would have any effect on starting. Upon start up, many of the front shades are locked out.
So he could pull the fuse for the shades, it’s located in the front compartment, drivers side, to see if there is a difference. Otherwise, remind him that you have a Spartan and offer to show photos of your wall art.

redbaron73 · 06-20-2018, 09:40 PM

First thought is that there is a battery drain going on. How do they get it to start when it does?

Maybe you can witness the no start, it would rule out the battery if the system just ignores the key being turned. If accessory mode is recognized and then turn clicks the starter relay, then we can assume ignition switch is ok..
Again, these are just a few random ideas.

redbaron73 · 06-20-2018, 09:42 PM

As for power shades, they act up when voltage gets low.

redbaron73 · 06-20-2018, 09:43 PM

This is another random idea, but since they are new to the coach, maybe they are new to rvs. Is the magnum charger turned on?

Stuart W · 06-20-2018, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbaron73

First thought is that there is a battery drain going on. How do they get it to start when it does?

Maybe you can witness the no start, it would rule out the battery if the system just ignores the key being turned. If accessory mode is recognized and then turn clicks the starter relay, then we can assume ignition switch is ok..
Again, these are just a few random ideas.

Agreed It would help to see it happen. He says, no click and no start, then waits a few minutes or longer and it will start. Doesn’t seem like battery charge based on what he is saying.

Winpress, I would never rub the Spartan thing in his face[emoji51]
And before Neal gets ahold of this, All Newmar’s are family.

Winepress · 06-20-2018, 10:41 PM

Ah, remind him he has to wait until the preheat light goes out. Light out, Count to ten, try.

Have had similar situation where I tried to start too soon and no joy.

ptw · 06-21-2018, 05:24 AM

There is also a switch in the driver seat foot rest. It needs to be fully retracted or it will prevent starting the engine.

NealC · 06-21-2018, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart W

And before Neal gets ahold of this, All Newmar’s are family.

Are you parked within 100ft? It could be electro magnetic field coming from your shocks.

P.S. educate them to call the number on the drivers side window and get help they paid for.

Stuart W · 06-21-2018, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NealC

P.S. educate them to call the number on the drivers side window and get help they paid for.

That was the first thing I suggested, for whatever reason he feels the need to call North Trail, who hasn’t been good about return calls according to him.

Stuart W · 06-21-2018, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptw

There is also a switch in the driver seat foot rest. It needs to be fully retracted or it will prevent starting the engine.

On my Spartan at least, mine will start with the footrest up, with a terrible alarm going off, ask me how I figured this out. Yours will not start if the footrest is ajar?

Ricci · 06-21-2018, 08:08 AM

Hi - Have him check the solenoid connections on the starter.

Tom

ptw · 06-21-2018, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart W

On my Spartan at least, mine will start with the footrest up, with a terrible alarm going off, ask me how I figured this out. Yours will not start if the footrest is ajar?

Sorry, you are correct. Knew there was a reason I always checked the footrest when we turned the chair for guests.

101stveteran · 06-21-2018, 09:58 AM

16 DSDP has an alarm if the footrest isn't all the way down. Caught us once not knowing about it. Another time the foot rest must have just been retracted enough to silence it but then we hit those fine roads on rt 10 on Louisiana with the speed bumps every 5 feet. Alarm went off so not expecting it made for a WTF moment. First reaction was a jack coming down. Then kicked the footrest and it silenced. That switch has since been disconnected.