2008 ufo, 'one wire' system problems

[BEETHOVIN5N9]

I keep getting a "Tow Lamp Failure" warning. When this displays all other normal display items are blocked out. WH Dealer in Forest City cant find why, WH and Winnebago claim it is a software problem. Winnebago service tech claimed the software needs to be reset to ignore Tow Lamp Circuit. No one seems to know how to do this. The original selling dealer General RV in MT Clemens MI is MIA. Anyone have an answer to the problem?

Have a few other problems with this chassis but they belong in a seperate post.

["007"]

If you have a ACTI dash display it may have to be changed out, there has been many problems with the display on other model coachs. One can be ordered and changed out for you, your still under warranty.

[Fred and Bonnie]

I believe the OP is referring to the software for the wiring system, not the IP.

[cj5 jeeper]

Call the Workhorse tech line, and they will know what is wrong. The number is 877-246-7731, or 248-588-5300.

[BEETHOVIN5N9]

Thanks for the sugestions everyone. In truth, I am totaly frustrated by Winnebago, WH Tech support and WH dealers on this particular issue. The One Wire System is so designed that it is not possible to work around or wire around this particular fault. It seems a software change is required & WH don't acknowledge there is a fault with this particular chassis computer system.
Now have 7000 miles with no usefull instrument display. I would dearly like to apply my foot to the backside(s) of the responsible individual(s) for this problem.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEETHOVIN5N9 The One Wire System is so designed that it is not possible to work around or wire around this particular fault.

I am at a loss to make any recommendations along this line because although I know quite a bit about the systems on the UFO I was not aware that there was such a system called "One Wire."

[-Gramps-]

This problem came up while my UFO was undergoing troubleshooting for the AUX ACC fuse that kept blowing. I was told that the UFO will feed 12 volts to the tow connector for cars that need a constant battery charge when being towed. IF one of the wires that feeds this 12 volts gets grounded somewhere between the tow connector and the front CCM you will get an alarm. This was not the source of my problem but it was looked at as a possible cause. Look at the simplest explanation first. I doubt this is a sofware problem. Shucks, the first thing I would do is make sure all the lights are working on the toad!

[BEETHOVIN5N9]

Yes, my lamps all work. After 39 years 'On The Road' and having my own repair business as well, I learned to use commercial trailer (semi) wiring gear. I even use entirely seperate circuits & cables for my tow brake and
tow lights. Very rugged & not prone to faults. I am so used to simply plugging in and hitting the road that it is a shock when things don't work as they are supposed to.
When WH designed the new UFO with software controlling evrything including fault detection, the abilty of owners to diagnose and correct faults was changed. Now a WH dealer with special software (from a company in Quebec) a laptop & an adaptor has to plug in and check where problems lie. Unlike the OBDII that has been around since 1996, the new diagnostic software for WH chassis can be balky. The WH dealer in Forest City IA is perhaps one of the most knowledgeable service organisations around for these chassis. They deal with 4 or more units every work day. The dealer did give me a clue where to look but there is no data supplied by WH to verify if the information is correct. As the WH dealer pointed out and I have suspected, the WH system seems to check the resistance of the Tow Lamp Circuit, lamp by lamp. When the system does not meet a predetermined (but not defined) resistance a fault code is set and the instrument cluster displays a fault warning. Great stuff if only WH provided information to owners & dealers about fault correction. My instrument cluster 'information display' locks up when a fault code is set and the display becomes useless for any other item. I can't read Milage, Oil Pressure, Fuel consumptionor any other item that would normaly be viewable.

Oh, if it where only as simple as the old days, when things realy went wrong, rip it out & start over. Cut any wire now and the whole system goes Kaput!

[-Gramps-]

I know what you mean about not being able to read the display. Mine was doing the same thing with the Front CCM fuse-rel fail alarm. Drove me crazy. If I played with the display, changed it to large and scrolled through a few things, I would get my info back but only until I shut the engine down and restarted it. It's odd you would get this alarm or should I say its odd I didn't get it after smashing my tow connector to bits twice.

[cj5 jeeper]

I had several computer problems on mine, that the shops could not find until the motor quit completely. The problem turned out to be a loose connector where the front computer plugs into the rear computer. When the tech found the problem I do not know who was happier.

[BEETHOVIN5N9]

Spoke to WH Customer support again yesterday. They do not have a pat answer and suggested I again drive several hundred miles to a WH dealer "who may have some knowledge", what knowledge, was not defined.

I bought some different lamp bulbs for the tow lamp harness and I am going to experiment a bit later today when it gets a bit warmer outside. Also will insert a load in the 'BackUp' circuit. Will let everyone know what results I acheive 'if any'

[-Gramps-]

Are you using special lights for the tow? You towing four down ? Just Curious.

[BEETHOVIN5N9]

Towing 4 down Honda CRV, Tow lamps are a magnetic base device that go on the roof, wire harness is commercial truck 7 pin (round) and commercial pigtail cords. The bulbs are (were) #1157. Changing out to 1157LL (Krypton Long Life) bulbs.
Colder than a Polar Bears Butt and wet outside so its going to wait untill tomorrow to try them Also inserting a Back Up Alarm in tow, back up light circuit.

New topic coming about alarm systems

[BEETHOVIN5N9]

I have been thinking hard about the error reporting proble when tow lights are installed in my Toad & connected to my UFO.
Despite Winnebago Customer Service denial that they had anything to do with the problem, I peeled away the tape wraping the Tow harness at the rear of my Adventurer LT and found the classic Winnebago wireing (Yellow & White 14 Gauge Wire). There was one yellow wire lying in the bundle that was not connected to anything and no end terminationon on the wire.
Checked for voltage on this wire with engine running, reverse gear selected and found 12 Volts. Seemed logical that Winnebago had wired a Reverse Lamp Circuit but had not advised Customer Service (or me the customer). Nothing new here! Tried a 10 Ohm 1/2 watt resistor in the circuit and sure enough the fault warning vanished. Ah......., much too simple a solution. 10 Ohms @ 1/2 watt = fried resistor when Reverse gear engaged for more than a few moments. No larger resitors available from Radio C..P, so I substituted a 12 volt lamp bulb connected at the Toad end of the harness. It works just dandy although its not elegant.
Installed a B/U alarm at the same time. While doing this found all sorts of waste space at the rear of my MH.
Winnebago engineering has improved a small amount over the years since I started complaining about their engineering skills (or lack thereof) many years ago, but they still waste a lot of space in front and the rear that owners could put to good use.

Anyway, my tow lamp fault indication is now solved although not quite in the manner I desired.