Actia IP replacement article in Good Sam magazine

[al koffman]

The basis of the letter to the magazine is: 2004 Newmar on a W22 chassis. The LCD failed so took it to Newmar which replaced the panel. they were informed that the warranty had expired and it would cost them $500. Newmar and Workhorse "discussed" this ans WH decided to cover the cost. Naturally, they were very happy.

This raises some questions for me. I know DriVer has posted that WH would handle out of warranty problems with the IP on a case by case basis.

So here are some questions that perhaps DriVer can comment on:

* Why doesn't WH just come out and say they will take care of these IP problems and put everyones mind at ease.

*If one has had the IP replaced at least once during warranty (mine has been replaced 3 times, last one two weeks ago and my warranty is up next month) shouldn't this be considered a problem that was not corrected and be taken care of regardless of warranty?

*Could this be considered a safety problem? I've seen a few rv'ers that would not know what gear they are in if they couldn't read the panel.

[al koffman]

The basis of the letter to the magazine is: 2004 Newmar on a W22 chassis. The LCD failed so took it to Newmar which replaced the panel. they were informed that the warranty had expired and it would cost them $500. Newmar and Workhorse "discussed" this ans WH decided to cover the cost. Naturally, they were very happy.

This raises some questions for me. I know DriVer has posted that WH would handle out of warranty problems with the IP on a case by case basis.

So here are some questions that perhaps DriVer can comment on:

* Why doesn't WH just come out and say they will take care of these IP problems and put everyones mind at ease.

*If one has had the IP replaced at least once during warranty (mine has been replaced 3 times, last one two weeks ago and my warranty is up next month) shouldn't this be considered a problem that was not corrected and be taken care of regardless of warranty?

*Could this be considered a safety problem? I've seen a few rv'ers that would not know what gear they are in if they couldn't read the panel.

[oemtech]

I have to agree with Al on this one.

I learned this lesson the hard way on a 69 SS Chevelle. I had a problematic starter but I never took it to the dealer as could not get it to fail on command. So, when it went out the dealer refused to fix it as it NEVER documented. Needless to say the 396 BB starter was a new design and was only available at the dealer for $125. In 1969 I was making $125 a week.

If I have a problematic IP that has been replace more than once under warranty and then goes out again after the warranty expires I feel that the OEM should extend the warranty UNTIL they have permanent fix.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by al koffman:
Naturally, they were very happy. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Al, There could be many more questions than I could give answers to regarding the Actia IP in this post however I can't see where yours or anyone's experience would not be consistant with the results you pointed out in the article in Highways.

[Rocky 2]

It seems to me that the real issue is what the warranty should cover. Should an item replaced on warranty start a new warranty on that item. It doesn't have to be reviewed on a case by case basis, just checked as to when the last warranty replacement was done. Just wishing it were so.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rocky 2:
Just wishing it were so. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I recall having a warrantied electronic component replaced (camera I believe). At that time I was told that the replacement component would not be additionally warrantied for the period on the replacement component but only for the period of the original component. This policy I believe is in wide use in commerce.

Workhorse has not clearly defined and end of the warranty period on the IP other than the 3 year 36K miles original warranty. They have told us that on a case by case basis they will evaluate IP problems as they present themselves. Let's not read too much into that "unless" we see a denial of claim by one of our members which does not seem to be the case at the moment.

["007"]

I'll all let you know whats up with a replacement IP out of warranty when I have to get mine replaced.
Its still going strong 02 chassis, do not know what it is when people are still getting theirs changed after three or four times.

[Stubborn]

My IP has been replaced twice. Once for a complete failure and once just this past June for a failing LED. When I contacted Actia my original Newmar warranty had expired( 2003 bought Nov. 2002) but they replaced it in June because it was less than three years since it had been replaced the first time. On the second replacement they gave me an additional 3 years, verbally and in an e-mail. I feel like Rocky 2 if an item is replaced under warranty you ought to get a like warranty on that item.

[rgrstndgby]

Driver says...<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I recall having a warrantied electronic component replaced (camera I believe). At that time I was told that the replacement component would not be additionally warrantied for the period on the replacement component but only for the period of the original component. This policy I believe is in wide use in commerce. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
.............................................
Driver, with all due respect, I find it a rather Cavalier attitude to compare a failed componant in a camera,with a failed IP in a multi hundred thousand dollar, depreciable item like a Motorhome, and imply that it is an "industry standard". An "Industry Standard" warranty situation on a camera, and the warranty on a Motorhome with a "from Day One, ongoing, individually repeated, shut down" issue are quite different.. A camera that failed can just be replaced, or left home on the dresser, but a Motorhome, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, and depreciating all the time, may even be someones home, for all practical purposes cannot be operated and used when the item has failed. How many people on this board would leave on a weeks (months) long trip with a failed IP..? I am a Workhorse fan, and Workhorse has taken good care of me and my warranty issues, but I am now out of warranty, on my 3rd complete IP, and I will be a very unhappy camper if it fails again inside of 3 years , and I'm told, "tough, yer outta warranty"..this Ip design was bad componant the day the first one was installed, and continued to be so for all the years it was used..and should at the very least be warrantied from replacement date for an additional 3 years...rgr...

[oemtech]

My IP is starting to fail (lost pixels). I will be getting it replaced in Quartzite by Brazels. mY warranty will end in April. You can bet your sweet you know that I will raise a very big stink if it fails again after the warranty ends.

I can understand an item that fails and is replaced only once in the warranty period does get fixed after the original warranty runs out. But, from what I read here the IP cluster is problematic. This means it fails repeatedly even after it has been repaired. It seems odd that the failed units have been replaced with updated units (orange display) and are still failing. This tells me that they have a design, component and/or manufacturing problem.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rgrstndgby:
.... and I'm told, "tough, yer outta warranty"..this IP design was bad component the day the first one was installed, and continued to be so for all the years it was used.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>rgr, OK I regret that I quoted the wrong piece of hardware, let's say for all practical purposes that it's a Boeing 747.

My point is ..... "They have told us that on a case by case basis they will evaluate IP problems as they present themselves. Let's not read too much into that "unless" we see a denial of claim by one of our members which does not seem to be the case at the moment"!

What I just wrote is consistent with past practice that I have observed. I have seen denials for out of warranty issues however I have not heard of any denials attributable to IP failures.

I'm sitting here with an 03 rig with 53K+ miles on it so we're in the same boat. I am on my 2nd IP, an orange background unit, and it's holding up well at this moment.

[rgrstndgby]

Driver...<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">My point is ..... "They have told us that on a case by case basis they will evaluate IP problems as they present themselves. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, this is scant comfort.. I would be curious as to what they forsee would cause a denial.. just reserving an "out"?. Could you forsee Boeing saying "park that 747, because the 2 or 3 time replaced spar cap failed prematurely again. and expect to retain customer confidence.. I'm not trying to prolong an argument here, just saying that this was a bad design to begain with, and I think WH should "man up" about it....rgr...

[al koffman]

Question for 007, is the IP LCD in your 02 the same as in the later models?

My second panel was changed in Jan 05. It had a "somewhat" orange background that seemed to change with the ambient light, not orange at all when it was bright out. This new one seems to be very orange even in bright light. I only put 65 miles on it coming back, but it is still working!

My chassis has been absolutely trouble free so far (31k) and I'm very happy with it. Just wish they would solve the lcd gotcha.

[ghamblen]

We had our original IP replaced in July because the LCD was getting difficult to read sometimes and worked perfectly other times. The replacement had the orange background. It also had problems with jumping to T1 or T2 on its own and sometimes resetting the mileage to zero. Turning the ignition key off sometimes resulted in the LCD background light staying on for several minutes before going off. Actia decided the trip mode button was "sticky" and I had a new IP installed in November that also has the orange background. I have only put about 30 miles on the motorhome since the second replacement but all seems well at the moment.