03 Dolphin no start

[dada]

drove 400 mi.no problem,next morning would not start.Turn key and only clicks.This is an 03 Dolphin 8.1L model 5355. Gauges on dash don't light up.

[WimbledonDolphin]

Same coach - Have you checked the connections to the chassis batteries under stairs in coach. Soemthing may have come loose or the battery is dead.

[dada]

We have checked batteries and fuses,all are good.We just bought this motorhome so are not familiar with everything on it,but have all manuals and have checked everything we can.Sure need help with this,or will have to call mechanic out.

[edgray]

dada: WELCOME to iRV2.com We are glad you joined and posted. Next time try starting a new "DISCUSSION" instead of a "POLL", as that will allow you to supply any text needed to display your questions.

I'm linking your post to the Workhorse Chassis forum below in hopes of getting you even more exposure. Good luck finding the glitch causing your starting problem.

Again, Welcome!
ED

[troth]

Checking fuses and batteries is good, but I think you need to check the cables. Start at the engine battery: loosen, twist, then re-tighten the ground. Do the same for the plus side (hot) cable. The act of loosening, twisting, & retightening is much better than simply trying to snug them up. After doing the battery ends of the cable, do the other ends: 1.) the frame ground and 2.) the starter hot. (Be careful not to have the metal wrench cause a short-out when working on the starter end).

[dada]

Thanks for response.I have done all that.

[edgray]

then will you please elaborate on the "clicking sound" you mentioned. Is it the kind normally heard when the battery is too weak to turn the starter, or is it coming from somewhere "else".

Also, have you looked for the switch which will connect your coach battys to the cranking batty for "emergency" starts. Perhaps another Dolphin owner can confirm its location. "Most" coaches have one. ED

[Mike Canter]

My guess is that the battery is bad either from the battery just being too old or the alternator is not putting out. Nothing complicated because you drove it 400 miles. Look at the battery and see if you can find a sticker on it with the month and year. My guess is that it is probably the original battery. Have you got one in another vehicle that you can swap out and see if it will start. The clicking is the starter solenoid not being able to hold in the on position because the battery voltage is too low.

Do you have a spring loaded rocker switch on the dash that says boost or start boost? If so hold that rocked switch on and try and start it at the same time and see if that will get it started.

[Fred and Bonnie]

In addition to using the boost switch, start the generator, this may possibly recharge the chassis battery.

I had a chassis battery go down and the emercency boost didn't provide enough juice to start. Ran the generator for about 20 and the extra charging boost got the unit running.

Fred

[dada]

Thanks to all who have tried to help.We have disconnected and reconnected everything involved with starting.All batteries are good and hot.The clicking sound seems to be slightly to the left of steering column,although I can't be real sure to the exact location.Generator runs good and still no start to the engine.Hope the mechanic can find ,and it only be a minor problem.Will post tomorrow when I get some results.Thanks again.

[kennersonf]

If the chassis battery is the original, my vote is for a bad battery. You can charge a battery with a bad cell all you want. It will show you have voltage but won't start the engine. I have an '03 Dolphin also and I replace the battery two years ago just to be on the safe side. Everytime I've had any vehicle do what you said, it was either the battery or the starter itself.

[Mike Canter]

Remember he said the dash lights don't work. I vote BAD BATTERY.

[TAMU62]

I had a simular problem when heading out on a trip. Everything worked but the srarted just sat there. I tried most of the above suggested fixes with no results. However I only visually checked the 30 amp Ing fuse and it looked "OK". Finally swapped the 30 amp Ing fuse with the 30 amp headlight fuse and the engine started normally and the headlights also worked. It must have been a crosion issue. When off on our trip and everything is still fine months later. Do you know what a motorhome owner does after he finishes all maintenance and repairs on his rig? Nobody knows...it's never happend yet.....

[Mike Canter]

If the fuse was bad the starter solenoid would not be clicking.