Help?! Coach stranded at propane dealer

[srchapman]

My friend just acquired this 1994 Monaco Dynasty about 3 weeks ago and I am trying to help her get adjusted to it. So yesterday we set out to take her out for her maiden voyage since she bought it and I have a big problem now. I drove it over to propane dealer to fill up the tank (it took 45 gallons) anyway when I went to start the coach back up at first I turned the key and nothing. Then after jiggling the key it began to turn over but no fire. After trying this about four or five good times it quit turning over all together. I thought it might be ignition switch because of having to jiggle key a couple of times recently but when I put in new switch it did not help. I did find a loose connection in the fuse access panel of the main battery cables but tightening them was no help. There is a solenoid there that clicks when I turn on the key or turn ignition to start but jumping accross the main terminals of the solenoid does not seem to help.
Any body know how I can go about tracking down this problem?
I tried jumping accross starter but it is hard to get to and I dont want to cause myself more problems.
I have until about 9:00am before I will have to call for a tow so that I can clear the propane dealers drive that I have been blocking since yesterday about 4pm.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thank You.

[AZgl1500]

Assuming the battery has a full charge, ie 12.5-12.8 VDC across the terminals, then my bet is for corroded starting battery terminals, or any loose connection between the battery and the starter motor.

IF the battery voltage is below 12.5 VDC at the terminals, then a charging system problem exists, or the battery has been run down from a long period of setting with small idle currents draining it down. (clocks, etc)

The clicking noise is probably the starter solenoid, but the lack of starter motor action, suggests it is not getting enough voltage/current to make it whirl.

2nd option would be that the starter itself has bad brushes and needs to be cleaned good, the commutator inspected for condition, and rebuilt with new brushes.

Next?

[Aguyfromcalg]

To me this sounds like a low battery and fuel pump problem. Try boosting the motor home to see if it runs. If successful drive to a place where you can work on it safely

[Barlow46]

As mentioned above from Aguyfromcalg, did you try the booster switch that ties the "house" batteries into the "chassis" batteries to help assist in providing enough "power" to start the engine. Does that model have the "battery booster" switch on the console or dash and did you hold it down while trying to start the engine? Also, did you have any problem when you first started up the coach before going to get the propane and did you take a look at the "volt/amp gauge" to see if it looked close to normal?

[srchapman]

Looks like it is the ignition wire from the key switch. Jumped accross solenoid for starter(back in engine bay) and it started right up. Now will have to trace the ignition wire to se if a short or just run new ign wire. Again thanks for everyone's help. Now I have to see why headlights don't come on.

[wa8yxm]

This happens to me every couple of years.. I drive a Workhorse by the way but it's not their fault.

The coach maker used the wrong type of lugs on the positive battery cables, Wrong metal, this means they corrode. So I have a full battery, it passes load test when disconnected.. And hen re-connected the rig starts..

Every couple of years I go down with tools and clean and polish.

One of these days I'll go down with the proper lug adapter and fix it.

[wrangler05]

It seems as though your problem is currently solved. However, there are a couple more related issues you should tell your friend about. My 96 Dynasty had a Win oil/water separator sight glass that ended up leaking air into the system. Engine rotated but with air inb system would not start - sometimes even after hand pumping transfer pump. Simple fix was to get rid of complex system and go with a spin on separator.

Also no one mentioned exactly which solenoid you were talking about. The fuel solenoid can go our and the engine will rotate (until you run the batteries down). Not a bad job to install a new one, but this can also be looked at under the bed and forward on engine (toward rear of coach) on passenger side of Cummins.

wrangler05