Smart Steering Electrical Issue - Need Input Please!

[srh]

As I alluded to in one of my earlier posts, I had some issues with my wipers and cruise control. The wipers would work once in a while and not other times. Similarly, my cruise control. I could turn it on and off, but the Set rarely worked, the Resume would work a little more than the Set, especially after driving it for a while, but not normally

I took it in to a shop (Speed Wrench in Hudsonville, MI). Make a long story short, I got charged several hours of labor plus $400+ for the Clock Spring that they replaced and was told that all worked except the Cancel button for cruise. After paying $1,100 + when I tried to drive it home nothing would work. The cruise wouldn't Set, or Resume at all, the wipers, I turned on, but would not turn off.

Took the coach back to the shop, and it has been there for over a week. I talked to the shop a couple of days ago, they told me when they try to manually trace the wiring the wipers and the cruise both work, but when they start the engine they don't work. They have contacted Monaco, and several other sources, and were told that there is a "Control" module that may be bad, but they can't get their hands on a "Control" module as no one is making it. They told me there a possible source in Australia that they are trying to contact. I haven't heard much more.

Has anyone had an issue similar to this?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[CountryB]

Northwest RV Supply has the control modules for the smartwheel. nwrvsupply.com: Search Results

Last week I was troubleshooting my own smart wheel problem. The troubleshooting guide from Smartwheel is pretty good. As I was testing for voltage on one of the connector pins, the wire just pulled right out of the crimp for the terminal. So fixing that connection fixed the problem. I suggest you also check yours, just grab each wire near the connector and give it a little tug.

Good luck.

[srh]

Originally Posted by CountryB

Northwest RV Supply has the control modules for the smartwheel. nwrvsupply.com: Search Results

Last week I was troubleshooting my own smart wheel problem. The troubleshooting guide from Smartwheel is pretty good. As I was testing for voltage on one of the connector pins, the wire just pulled right out of the crimp for the terminal. So fixing that connection fixed the problem. I suggest you also check yours, just grab each wire near the connector and give it a little tug.

Good luck.

It seems to me that something like this maybe the problem. But, I'm not the mechanic and what do I know!. I will, however, pass this on to the shop. Thanks, Mike.

[jacwjames]

I had a similar problem. I had been working on the radio and when I drove the rig I had no controls.



Went in and looked and found a wire was loose on the control module, it looked like someone had tried to halfway repair it before. I soldered the pin back onto the wire and connected it back to module and everything worked. That was 9 years ago.

[srh]

Originally Posted by jacwjames

I had a similar problem. I had been working on the radio and when I drove the rig I had no controls.



Went in and looked and found a wire was loose on the control module, it looked like someone had tried to halfway repair it before. I soldered the pin back onto the wire and connected it back to module and everything worked. That was 9 years ago.

That is interesting as I just had my Kenwood Display replaced, first with a Jensen and then with a Pioneer. A tech did it. I'm wondering if in the process something got either disconnected or a wire broken. I will mention that to the shop and hope they follow-up. Thanks for chiming in.

BTW, Jim, would you happen to know what the control module looks like and where is it located?

[irishguy]

The control module is a small black box with many wires and connectors going into it. On our Monaco it is located right behind the radio/stereo in the dash console.

Irishguy

[Happycarz]

Many coaches have the VIP Controller module located in the bottom of left console. That is, the same console that has the transmission selector.

[CountryB]

Originally Posted by irishguy

The control module is a small black box with many wires and connectors going into it. On our Monaco it is located right behind the radio/stereo in the dash console.

Irishguy

@Irish guy,
Doesn't your control box look like the ones I linked to in the second post?

I would not call that box small. On the '05 Beaver/Monaco it's mounted in the front run/electrical bay (under driver's window). Of course it can be located anywhere Monaco decided to mount it.

[jacwjames]

Originally Posted by srh

That is interesting as I just had my Kenwood Display replaced, first with a Jensen and then with a Pioneer. A tech did it. I'm wondering if in the process something got either disconnected or a wire broken. I will mention that to the shop and hope they follow-up. Thanks for chiming in.

BTW, Jim, would you happen to know what the control module looks like and where is it located?

Mine control module was right behind the radio maybe ~1 foot back. Close enough that when I pulled the radio out and started working on it that the wire was dislodged.


The wire was not long enough for me to easily pull it out out from under the dash to repair. I ended up buying a small battery powered soldering tool and was able to solder it while it was still tucked in the dash.

[hypoxia]

The VIP Smart Wheel module should be in the Front Run Bay. https://www.vipwheels.com/technical-support

[irishguy]

Originally Posted by CountryB

@Irish guy,
Doesn't your control box look like the ones I linked to in the second post?

I would not call that box small. On the '05 Beaver/Monaco it's mounted in the front run/electrical bay (under driver's window). Of course it can be located anywhere Monaco decided to mount it.

Yep that's what I have as well. I guess to me I consider it small but it's all a matter of perspective perhaps. It's a about the size of an ipad.

Irishguy

[srh]

Originally Posted by CountryB

Northwest RV Supply has the control modules for the smartwheel. nwrvsupply.com: Search Results

Last week I was troubleshooting my own smart wheel problem. The troubleshooting guide from Smartwheel is pretty good. As I was testing for voltage on one of the connector pins, the wire just pulled right out of the crimp for the terminal. So fixing that connection fixed the problem. I suggest you also check yours, just grab each wire near the connector and give it a little tug.

Good luck.

Mike:
Sorry, I missed this. Let me see if I get this, the control box is available through Northwest RV Supply. Is that correct?

Thanks everyone for chiming in!

[Damion]

I've also soldered the head light wires to my board where the plug in burnt up!

[glarredondo]

Originally Posted by srh

As I alluded to in one of my earlier posts, I had some issues with my wipers and cruise control. The wipers would work once in a while and not other times. Similarly, my cruise control. I could turn it on and off, but the Set rarely worked, the Resume would work a little more than the Set, especially after driving it for a while, but not normally

I took it in to a shop (Speed Wrench in Hudsonville, MI). Make a long story short, I got charged several hours of labor plus $400+ for the Clock Spring that they replaced and was told that all worked except the Cancel button for cruise. After paying $1,100 + when I tried to drive it home nothing would work. The cruise wouldn't Set, or Resume at all, the wipers, I turned on, but would not turn off.

Took the coach back to the shop, and it has been there for over a week. I talked to the shop a couple of days ago, they told me when they try to manually trace the wiring the wipers and the cruise both work, but when they start the engine they don't work. They have contacted Monaco, and several other sources, and were told that there is a "Control" module that may be bad, but they can't get their hands on a "Control" module as no one is making it. They told me there a possible source in Australia that they are trying to contact. I haven't heard much more.

Has anyone had an issue similar to this?

Thanks in advance for your help!

I just replaced the Smart steering module in my 2012 Endeaver. It took about 2 months to get. RV Shop Online in Baton Rouge ordered mine .