Electrical problem (progressive)

TGMarrs · 11-21-2011, 12:13 AM

I started our 1200 mile trip Sat morning with everything working great. We parked overnight and when we started up in the morning noticed that the fan blower for the dash a/c & heat had stopped working. When you turn it on, the compass & outside temp readout goes off.

We continued the trip, and about a hour later the windshield wipers would no longer come on ( in and out of rain of course ). Also noticed that when I hit the washer button the same compass/outside temp display goes out then back on.

After another hour or so, the cruise control light went out on the dash. It would flash when I turned the cruise control on or off, but didn't stay on like normal - despite this, the cruise control still worked. Then after a refuel stop the cruise control stopped working.

And finally, upon arrival at our destination, the switch to raise the tags didn't do anything. I tried everything else, and noticed that our mirror heat switch also makes the compass/outside temp display go blank when it is turned on.

Never had any electrical problems before. All fuses checked and are OK. What does the cruise, wipers, fan blower, mirror heat, and compas display all have in common??

Coach: 2003 Monaco Executive 44' w/ Tag axle, Cummins ISM 500

nodine · 11-21-2011, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGMarrs

.....What does the cruise, wipers, fan blower, mirror heat, and compas display all have in common??

Coach: 2003 Monaco Executive 44' w/ Tag axle, Cummins ISM 500

Probaly a control module like the Smart wheel uses. If you have controls on the steering wheel for curise, wipers, then maybe some of the other funtions are related. I would look for a loose or bad connector. I don't know much about your model but maybe someone who does will chime in.

Good luck,

Bob

lonestarace · 11-21-2011, 05:50 AM

We had an similar intermittent problem in our 02 Signature and by cycling the salesman switch several times the problem would go away for a while. We replaced the 2 smaller solenoids in the back curbside compartment to fix our problem. While we were at it, since nothing lasts forever, we also changed the 2 12v solenoids in the front streetside electrical compartment. These solenoids are 100 amp 12v continuous duty. White/Rodgers #124-105111 or 124-902, or Ametek 15-132, SAS 4201. relays continuous duty 12 volt & 24 volt DC power relays,starter relays This company is near us.

It could also be:

A ground
Tighten them all up in the front streetside electrical compartment and at the batteries

We hope this helps?

Don

tims52ford · 11-21-2011, 06:11 AM

Checked the bulkhead connector under the dash or thru the firewall for corrosion or bad connection. buy a can of contact cleaner an some dielectric grease, also checke your ground wires.

TGMarrs · 11-21-2011, 08:53 PM

Thanks... I will check these things tomorrow morning and report back!

sdennislee · 11-21-2011, 09:26 PM

WHile checking look for water on the outside connections

TGMarrs · 11-21-2011, 09:33 PM

Will do...

Tonight it was getting a little warm and we kicked the gen on for some a/c.... Nope, seems that has now stopped working too! Don't know if it's related. We are getting gen power to the units, because they come on if I select fan low or high instead of auto, but the compressor doesn't come on. The het pump doesn't work either, but the furnace does.

Diplomat Don · 11-21-2011, 09:37 PM

TGMarrs......The A/C issue tells a story. I would suggest you start checking all of your grounds, particulary at the Inverter charger

sdennislee · 11-21-2011, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diplomat Don

TGMarrs......The A/C issue tells a story. I would suggest you start checking all of your grounds, particulary at the Inverter charger

What he said

TGMarrs · 11-23-2011, 12:31 AM

Update: I opened up the electrical compartment today and tested everything again with a voltmeter. I then cut off the coach and house battery main disconnects and with that off disconnected each wire harness one by one and reconnected it. I made sure everything was tight and flipped the disconnects back on.

Everything worked again - no problems. Even the fog lights that stopped working months ago worked again! All was good until a drive back across town and the smartwheel things went out again (wipers and cruise). Blower and everything else still works (house a/c on again too).

So, now my next goal is to grab some dielectric grease and do the disconnect each harness thing again, but this time shove some dielectric on the connections before reconnecting and see what happens.

Rex · 11-23-2011, 07:02 PM

Well the dielectric grease is always a good idea, but here is another that may be your problem. The large battery disconnect switches do fail. Take it apart and look at the contacts inside. You may just find your problem.