Help with electrical problems

[prpickett]

Hi,
I have a 1999 Dutch Star M3884 w/ Spartan Chassis and am having problems with the following, not sure if related.
1. Headlights come on in 1st pull switch position (usually parking lights on most vehicles) and also with switch fully out. I have to pull a relay to get them to turn back off. (hdlt vip relay).
2. Parking lights and running lights do not work at all. 15 amp fuse for marker lights blows when I try to replace.
3. Speedometer and cruise control work fine, but odometer doesn't. I replaced with new speedometer from Spartan and problem remains.
4. After replacing the marker light fuse and it blowing, now I can't get the wipers to turn off unless I pull the ACC 2 relay or cust acc 2 fuse. The wiper fuse has no effect. The wiper switch still seems to function since I can change the speed of the wipers, just not turn off.
5. I also have 2 round "headlights" mounted low on front and 2 square "headlights" on rear beside camera that I think are docking lights, but there isn't a docking light switch on my dash, just a space labeled for one. Any idea how to turn these on?

I appreciate any ideas for troubleshooting you guys have. I asked Spartan for wiring diagrams, but they said that Newmar directly wires the wipers and they just supply a 10 amp fuse location and didn't provide any wiring info.
Thank you,

[Jimary]

Did the problems all start at once? They sound related to one root cause to me, bad-poor ground or short circuit, is why I ask.

[prpickett]

I recently purchased the MH, and at the time, the odometer and the light issues were present. The wiper problem cropped up while I was replacing the speedometer and troubleshooting the lighting problem. I do believe that they are related, just not sure how/where.

[Jimary]

Number 1 sounds like a bad headlight switch causing number 2 and maybe part of number 5. I have seen the contacts break loose inside a headlight switch causing all sorts of strange things.
As far as number 5 are the round lights down low on the front "fog lights" or are they on the front corners facing out and back "docking lights"? My fog lights will only come on with the parking or headlights, so the headlight switch may be a part of that problem. Mine doesn't have the square lights on the rear so I don't know, they could be docking lights. On your dash is the space for the docking light switch an open hole like a switch was removed and not replaced or does it have a cover over that space like it never had a switch.

[DandS]

Phil - You've got a strange one ! As you know, electrical issues can be the most frustrating to chase down. I would agree you probably have a bad headlight switch. The fact the running light fuse blows when you replace it indicates a dead short in the wiring somewhere which must be corrected. Can't help with the speedo/odometer issue, usually they both work off the same pick-up so it's strange one would work without the other. Agree the front round lights are probably fog lights and you should have a separate switch for them. Square lights in rear should also have separate switch. Do you have chassis or coach manuals to help ? The wiper thing really throws me as to how that's related. Poltergeists ?? LOL

You may need to enlist a pro in wiring if you don't possess the expertise.

[ploiselle]

I have a 2000 MADP on a Spartan Chassis. The functions you listed are also on the steering wheel in the MADP. I had similar problems including the air horn occasionally going off when turning the steering wheel. It turned out to be related to the wiring harness in the steering wheel column.

I hope this helps.
Paul

[prpickett]

I've been working with the guys at Spartan. They've put a lot of effort into looking over the wiring diagrams, but so far no real progress. The headlights work properly if I pull 2 relays labeled VIP HDLT and VIP MKR but the marker light fuse blows when I pull the switch all the way out (works fine if I only pull out to turn of parking lights). I also have the fog lights working now (switch was labeled running lights) and the ICC flasher works. Still can't get the wipers off without pulling fuse or relays and still have the issue with the marker light fuse blowing and odometer woes. Thanks for everyone's advice and I'll keep troubleshooting.

["007"]

Phil, your two lights in back overhang with camera will come on when you place gear shift in reverse as your rear camera does also.
I always liked them lights would really light up rear area when backing had them on my 98 &99.
Like some have said you may have faulty switch.