Electrical failures on 2001 W22 chassis

[alvinc]

Wondering about your thoughts?

On our recent trip to Moab, Ut we had several electrical systems fail.

First, the ABS brake light came on. This would have to wait till be got back from our trip.

Second, the tail and rear running lights went out. We still had turn and brake lights. Solved this by turning on the running lights of the Jeep Wrangler we tow (has two batteries so no lack of battery life).

Third, the headlights (low beams) stopped working. We had high beams, but no low beams. Since we were in a group, we turned on the fog lights and followed someone else.

Fourth, on the last leg of the trip, we tried to start the RV and got nothing. Battery was ok, I could spin the starter (jumper cable from battery to starter), but apparently the starter solenoid was frozen or would not engage. Tried to engage from battery, but no luck. Then it started. It also started the next two times we tried several hundred miles down the road.

After this I'm feeling a bit grumpy. Any thoughts?

[alvinc]

Wondering about your thoughts?

On our recent trip to Moab, Ut we had several electrical systems fail.

First, the ABS brake light came on. This would have to wait till be got back from our trip.

Second, the tail and rear running lights went out. We still had turn and brake lights. Solved this by turning on the running lights of the Jeep Wrangler we tow (has two batteries so no lack of battery life).

Third, the headlights (low beams) stopped working. We had high beams, but no low beams. Since we were in a group, we turned on the fog lights and followed someone else.

Fourth, on the last leg of the trip, we tried to start the RV and got nothing. Battery was ok, I could spin the starter (jumper cable from battery to starter), but apparently the starter solenoid was frozen or would not engage. Tried to engage from battery, but no luck. Then it started. It also started the next two times we tried several hundred miles down the road.

After this I'm feeling a bit grumpy. Any thoughts?

[Tenn.Vol.]

My best guess would be a loose or corroded ground !!!!!TENN.

["007"]

Ground is a good start as Tenn said, check strap between engine and frame a gnd post on frame or common ground buss than large battery cables to stater and chassis battery and selinods. May not be loose but corroded. "007"

[NeilV]

Is the cover still tightly on the fuse box under the hood. Water and corrosion in there could cause these types of failures also.

Neil

[alvinc]

The RV is at the local Workhorse Service center today. We will see what they say.

[Tenn.Vol and 007] Tried to figure out where the ground was but didn't have much luck. My efforts where cut short by rain.

[NeilV] cover is on, and the fuses look just pristine.

More info on the starter. When I tried to start the RV this morning, nothing. Dash voltmeter showed 13+ voltage. I crawled under the RV with a hammer. My wife turned the key to start the RV, nothing, at least until I tapped the solenoid and then the starter. As soon as I tapped the starter it turned over and ran. Good thing I always carry a hammer in the RV.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by alvinc:
As soon as I tapped the starter it turned over and ran. Good thing I always carry a hammer in the RV. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>What you really need is a BIGGER hammer!

After some 40 plus thousand miles I experienced the same symptoms as you did and what was found was a bad starter specifically the solenoid. The starter was replaced by Pegues Hearst in Shreveport, Louisiana.

It's all better now!

[alvinc]

Update on the problems:<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by alvinc:
First, the ABS brake light came on. This would have to wait till be got back from our trip. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>The brake recall was handled almost a year ago, and this was related to that. I did not have to pay anything. Hurrah.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Second, the tail and rear running lights went out. We still had turn and brake lights. Solved this by turning on the running lights of the Jeep Wrangler we tow (has two batteries so no lack of battery life). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>This was a mis-wiring by the coach manufacturer. For those with a W22, there are two fuses under the hood (not the one near the steering wheel) that are labeled RH and LH. These are for the rear running lights and are both 5 amp circuits. My towed (Wrangler with LED tail and brake lights) draws 1.8 amps. The RV was wired with one side tail light, all the running lights, and the toad on one fuse. A load of over 5 amps. The toad should have been connected to the other circuit. In this wiring configuration one fuse supports one RV tail light and the running lights, the other fuse supports the other RV tail light and the toad.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Third, the headlights (low beams) stopped working. We had high beams, but no low beams. Since we were in a group, we turned on the fog lights and followed someone else. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>One would not think it could happen, but both low beam bulbs burned out at the same time.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Fourth, on the last leg of the trip, we tried to start the RV and got nothing. Battery was ok, I could spin the starter (jumper cable from battery to starter), but apparently the starter solenoid was frozen or would not engage. Tried to engage from battery, but no luck. Then it started. It also started the next two times we tried several hundred miles down the road. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Replaced the starter.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Fifth (not listed originally), four way flashers don't work. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Replaced turn signal stalk (not cheap).

[kokosfriend]

I also had to replace the stalk because of loss of 4 ways. Hope that does not continue every 4 years because it is a significant bite in the budget. Fortunately did not have the totl problems you had!!! Really strange about the headlights all going at once!!

Barb