2005 Alpine Vansco Multiplex Module

[ladytj1754]

Originally Posted by Terry W

Jim and Marilyn,



JCA Electronics



118 King Edward St East - R3H ON8



Winnipeg, Manitoba



Canada



204-415-1104



If you have read through the posts I'm sure you're aware of their process, you need to open a Fed Ex type of account, a money transfer and waiting period of 72 hours, there is also a handling charge of $25 and a $250 charge if you have them program the new VMM.



I take it the one you're replacing is functioning correctly with the exception of the chassis battery charging. If that is the case it will make a good spare since you are aware of it's limitations.



Did you swap your VMMs front to rear to see if the problem followed? That should verify that it is a VMM issue rather than something related to the chassis or wiring.



I would be curious to know how it would work in the front if you were to swap them. Engineer Mike may have a thought or two on this.



Good luck and keep us posted,

Terry

Terry,
We had our coach in a shop where they switched them out. Not sure what they found. This is a very confusing issue, to say the least!

We are in a trip and will take it back to the shop upon our return. Should have full-size diagrams from Engineer Mime by then as well.

Thanks for the information!

[ladytj1754]

Originally Posted by Terry W

Jim and Marilyn,



JCA Electronics



118 King Edward St East - R3H ON8



Winnipeg, Manitoba



Canada



204-415-1104



If you have read through the posts I'm sure you're aware of their process, you need to open a Fed Ex type of account, a money transfer and waiting period of 72 hours, there is also a handling charge of $25 and a $250 charge if you have them program the new VMM.



I take it the one you're replacing is functioning correctly with the exception of the chassis battery charging. If that is the case it will make a good spare since you are aware of it's limitations.



Did you swap your VMMs front to rear to see if the problem followed? That should verify that it is a VMM issue rather than something related to the chassis or wiring.



I would be curious to know how it would work in the front if you were to swap them. Engineer Mike may have a thought or two on this.



Good luck and keep us posted,

Terry

Terry and others:

Our tech switched out the VMM's and nothing changes. Must be something else. We've gone the route of putting our tech in touch with Engineer Mike to see if 2 heads are better than one at trying to figure this out. It's increasingly frustrating, to say the least. Hope for good news in the next few days.

[DrDaveMA]

Jim and Marilyn,

Can you recap all your symptoms, even better, start a new thread, since you have a 2007, this thread's header confuses folks.

Dave

[ladytj1754]

Originally Posted by DrDaveMA

Jim and Marilyn,

Can you recap all your symptoms, even better, start a new thread, since you have a 2007, this thread's header confuses folks.

Dave

Will do!

[RVPioneer]

My wife and I are still searching for our first Alpine. Just looked at an 03 and 06. The 03 was a no go. Starting negotiations on the 06 but not certain we will come to terms. Have an 05 and maybe another 03 to look at. Had hoped to stick with 03 to avoid the Vansco issue, it now seems likely that a VMM will be in our future. Apologies for the long lead in.

My question is: Does anyone who has had a VMM failure have an extended warranty and if so, why would that component not be covered? It seems to play a rather critical role in the proper function of the coach. Right up there with the engine, transmission, radiator, brakes, etc. I have done only minimal research on extended warranties as we have yet to become owners, so perhaps my ignorance on the matter is the reason for the silly question.

If it is a covered component, it would seem logical to bite the bullet and buy a spare before a failure occurs and have the warranty provide a new spare when a failure actually occurs. This would keep you with a spare for any number if failures as long as the policy remains in effect. Certainly most if not all members on this forum have dropped $1500 on their coach for something less important.

A final question: Are the new Modules less prone to failure?

Bob

[DrDaveMA]

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

My wife and I are still searching for our first Alpine. Just looked at an 03 and 06. The 03 was a no go. Starting negotiations on the 06 but not certain we will come to terms. Have an 05 and maybe another 03 to look at. Had hoped to stick with 03 to avoid the Vansco issue, it now seems likely that a VMM will be in our future. Apologies for the long lead in.

My question is: Does anyone who has had a VMM failure have an extended warranty and if so, why would that component not be covered? It seems to play a rather critical role in the proper function of the coach. Right up there with the engine, transmission, radiator, brakes, etc. I have done only minimal research on extended warranties as we have yet to become owners, so perhaps my ignorance on the matter is the reason for the silly question.

If it is a covered component, it would seem logical to bite the bullet and buy a spare before a failure occurs and have the warranty provide a new spare when a failure actually occurs. This would keep you with a spare for any number if failures as long as the policy remains in effect. Certainly most if not all members on this forum have dropped $1500 on their coach for something less important.

A final question: Are the new Modules less prone to failure?

Bob

Bob, first there are 2 types of extended warranties, inclusionary or exclusionary, so it depends upon what policy you have. Many companies will not write a policy for a coach over 10 years old. So unless you are assuming an, already in place policy, you might have a problem getting one.

We will have to get someone with a replacement module to tell us if they are less prone to failure. Secondly there were a lot of units built in 2005/6 so the failure rate might not be as high as it seems, although a failure can be catastrophic.

Dave

[swansnest]

Bob, Our Extended Warranty through Wholesale Warranties would have covered our Vansco that went out at the MA FMCA Convention, but we never turned it in to them. Our rear Module was actually shorted out by a loose ground wire on the starting motor after Cummins rebuilt the engine 18 months before.

We have never been without an Extended Warranty on our '07 APEX and they have covered all sorts of failures. When we returned home we had new issues with the motorhome that included replacing the radiator, CAC, hydraulic motor, etc which was much more expensive than the Vansco failure so we just "ate" that repair! (Again, we feel that at least some of these issues were related to the poor rebuild by Bloomington Cummins in 2015)

When we bought this Warranty - they had an inspection done and the coach was in top condition - however we subsequently had monumental failures and the Warranty has paid 5 or 6 times what we paid for the 4 year policy! And we are only just starting the 3rd year! If you are looking for a coach - be sure it has had an Extended Warranty policy all of the way up until you buy it - because that is one of the criteria they are looking at when you go to buy another one! They usually ave been better maintained!

You have the right idea about having a spare Vansco. We still need to do this but don't anticipate another problem anytime soon! (Famous last words!)

[Terry W]

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

My wife and I are still searching for our first Alpine. Just looked at an 03 and 06. The 03 was a no go. Starting negotiations on the 06 but not certain we will come to terms. Have an 05 and maybe another 03 to look at. Had hoped to stick with 03 to avoid the Vansco issue, it now seems likely that a VMM will be in our future. Apologies for the long lead in.

My question is: Does anyone who has had a VMM failure have an extended warranty and if so, why would that component not be covered? It seems to play a rather critical role in the proper function of the coach. Right up there with the engine, transmission, radiator, brakes, etc. I have done only minimal research on extended warranties as we have yet to become owners, so perhaps my ignorance on the matter is the reason for the silly question.

If it is a covered component, it would seem logical to bite the bullet and buy a spare before a failure occurs and have the warranty provide a new spare when a failure actually occurs. This would keep you with a spare for any number if failures as long as the policy remains in effect. Certainly most if not all members on this forum have dropped $1500 on their coach for something less important.

A final question: Are the new Modules less prone to failure?

Bob

Bob,

I recently replaced one of my VMMs. The one I replaced had a mfg date of 2010, I don't know any history on my MH, I've only had it for a year and a half. The one I replaced wasn't completely bad so I kept it as a replacement for the front position only. I ordered a spare after I found out what a PITA it is to get a new one. I would hate to jump through all of those hoops while broken down somewhere.

My rear VMM is still good and is apparently original. It lives in the battery compartment which is a hostile environment compared to the front VMM, which is the one that failed. I haven't heard of anyone having a replacement VMM long enough to know how well they hold up. I would expect they should be like the originals. They aren't a high failure item!! Electronics are always a little bit of a crap shoot!

If you read all of the posts you'll see what a hassle it is to get a new one and also about programming a replacement.

Terry

[Larry Kenney]

I would like the instructions, please. I can't find on ACA site Do you just plug it in and turn it on?

[Terry W]

Larry, Its a little more involved than that, not difficult but the instructions are very explicit in a couple of steps.

Go to the ACA site and go to the Tech Section

Go to Chassis and Brakes

Scroll down to Vansco VMM Replacement Instructions

I followed them to the letter and all went well. Good luck and let us know how it worked out for you.

Terry

[Larry Kenney]

Originally Posted by Terry W

Larry, Its a little more involved than that, not difficult but the instructions are very explicit in a couple of steps.

Go to the ACA site and go to the Tech Section

Go to Chassis and Brakes

Scroll down to Vansco VMM Replacement Instructions

I followed them to the letter and all went well. Good luck and let us know how it worked out for you.

Terry

I take it the chassis disconnect is the one in the battery compartment where the othe 2820 is.

[Jeff and Cheryl]

Larry,
Short answer: Yes!

[Pmllol]

we have a 2008 alpine 36mds having an issue with no power to air horn solenoid. Yook us forever to find it. Wondering if t could be the smart wheel or the modules that I have. We have an appointment with Freightliner RV on the 19th for repairs-now wondering if there is something major wrong. Interesting post. Called Rv corral and they told me to reboot the modules and see if that will give power to solenoid but that didn't work.

[RVAdvisor169]

I have been reading through all the forums.

I have a 2005 Alpine Avalanche Motorhome and It will not start. The VMM is getting good power but both the VMM's are not powering and I have spoke with JCA and Bob was very very helpful. He walked me through a couple testing.
However because possibly both of my VMM's being bad I cant send him a good VMM to program a blank for me.

I am needing to see if anyone is willing to help me.
I am in need of borrowing a working VMM to plug into my coach and verify that both of my VMM's are bad and then send it in to JCA so they can program off yours 2 new ones for my RV.

Im desperate at this point.