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SBScouter · 08-10-2015, 10:15 AM

Hello All,

We're having three related mechanical problems with our 2000 Sea Breeze Scout and wondered if they sound familiar to anyone.

After running down the road from between 20 minutes to 3 or 4 hours and then stopping, it stalls. This has happened four or five times over the past two years when pulling forward from a stop sign or when backing into a camping spot. Two of those times the service engine light came on. It has always restarted, but it’s slow to turn over.

After driving down the road for between 10 minutes to several hours, it’s hard to restart and slow to turn over. This has happened three or four times over the past couple of years at rest stops and gas stations. The difference here from #1 is that it didn’t stall, but was shut down normally. The slow, reluctant turnover is the same.

Two weeks ago, after starting normally and being turned off, and then restarting, the ignition was turned to the on position and all lights and indicators came on normally, but then when the key was turned further to start the engine, all electrical power went dead. After several more tries over a period of five minutes it eventually restarted.

We took it to the Rush Truck Center in Oklahoma City, which is the only place we've been able to find that will work on the automotive side of the coach. They couldn't get it to replicate any of the problems we've had. Their only recommendation was to replace the fuel pump, which might address the stalling issue, but unlikely has anything to do with the starting issue, which clearly appears to be an electrical problem.

Any tips, suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

BFlinn181 · 08-10-2015, 12:06 PM

Like to help, but you didn't give chassis/engine details. Have you ever had it scanned to see what codes might be generated after it stalls and turns on the CEL light? Replacing the fuel pump is a stab in the dark by the mechanic who wants to do something you'll pay for that he hopes will help.

mel s · 08-10-2015, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBScouter

Hello All,
We're having three related mechanical problems with our 2000 Sea Breeze Scout and wondered if they sound familiar to anyone.
After running down the road from between 20 minutes to 3 or 4 hours and then stopping, it stalls. This has happened four or five times over the past two years when pulling forward from a stop sign or when backing into a camping spot. Two of those times the service engine light came on. It has always restarted, but it’s slow to turn over.
After driving down the road for between 10 minutes to several hours, it’s hard to restart and slow to turn over. This has happened three or four times over the past couple of years at rest stops and gas stations. The difference here from #1 is that it didn’t stall, but was shut down normally. The slow, reluctant turnover is the same.
Two weeks ago, after starting normally and being turned off, and then restarting, the ignition was turned to the on position and all lights and indicators came on normally, but then when the key was turned further to start the engine, all electrical power went dead. After several more tries over a period of five minutes it eventually restarted.
We took it to the Rush Truck Center in Oklahoma City, which is the only place we've been able to find that will work on the automotive side of the coach. They couldn't get it to replicate any of the problems we've had. Their only recommendation was to replace the fuel pump, which might address the stalling issue, but unlikely has anything to do with the starting issue, which clearly appears to be an electrical problem.
Any tips, suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

SBScouter
Sounds like you have an alternator problem.... or a chassis battery problem...or both.

SBScouter · 08-10-2015, 01:31 PM

Sorry. It's the Ford F530 chassis with the V10 Triton. Thanks for the reply.

SBScouter · 08-10-2015, 01:33 PM

Thanks for the reply. Considered the alternator, but that doesn't explain the stalling. The chassis battery is new and I immediately checked it after the last sluggish start and it was fully charged.

BFlinn181 · 08-10-2015, 01:51 PM

Have you removed and cleaned all ground connections? A bad ground between the engine and frame/battery could create issues when the starter is trying to pull the amps needed to start.

SBScouter · 08-10-2015, 02:41 PM

Thanks, Bob. That's just the kind of tip I was hoping for. The intermittent nature of the electrical problem seemed like a loose connection could be the culprit but I didn't know where to start. Thanks again.