Electrical Gremlins-- won't start

Fishinn · 11-02-2010, 09:58 PM

Unable to start the engine. 2001 Safari Trek on a Workhorse with an 8.1 engine.
2 weeks ago it wouldn't start- used the jumper switch to start.
2 days ago wouldn't start. (1)Took the battery in to load test it-- in great condition, everything else on that battery works good (generator, jacks & accessaries) (2) Took the starter off and load tested it- nope- that works great. (3) checked the starter relay switch-- no problems there.
Put everything back together and it started!!!???
Checked it again today--- nope would not start!

Any ideas????

94-Newmar · 11-03-2010, 03:00 AM

Clarify "wont start" in more detail...

--Jumper switch.. do you mean the battery boost switch? (bonds house and chassis batteries together)

--Any Dash lights when you turn key to on position?
--Any click, buzz or hum when you turn key to start position?
--Do any of the dash light indicators dim slightly when going from run to start position?

Could be a bad ignition switch.. those are sometimes problematic. Just guessing here without more detail....

TAMU62 · 11-03-2010, 05:35 AM

Had the same intermittent starting problem and finally discovered the starter solenoid was bad.

Fishinn · 11-03-2010, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94-Newmar

Clarify "wont start" in more detail...

--Jumper switch.. do you mean the battery boost switch? (bonds house and chassis batteries together) yes

--Any Dash lights when you turn key to on position? no
--Any click, buzz or hum when you turn key to start position? yes
--Do any of the dash light indicators dim slightly when going from run to start position? no dash lights

Could be a bad ignition switch.. those are sometimes problematic. Just guessing here without more detail....

I had the starter bench tested with the soleniod, worked good.

gbs2320 · 11-03-2010, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishinn

I had the starter bench tested with the soleniod, worked good.

I had a weird similar happening. No dash lights, but all batteries (chassis and coach good) and no crank. Power was to the dash fuse but fuse was good. Took out fuse scrapped off fuse attachment points on the fuse and reinserted fuse and dash lights came back on and has started ever since.

Good Luck. Greg

Fishinn · 11-03-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbs2320

I had a weird similar happening. No dash lights, but all batteries (chassis and coach good) and no crank. Power was to the dash fuse but fuse was good. Took out fuse scrapped off fuse attachment points on the fuse and reinserted fuse and dash lights came back on and has started ever since.

Good Luck. Greg

I've removed, checked and reinserted every fuse. There are 3 fuse blocks that I know of, unfortunately, only one is labeled for where the fuses go to.
I'm having it towed to a repair facility.

Thanks for the responses,

Fishinn · 11-05-2010, 06:14 PM

Gotcha!!!! dead gremlin!!!!
There was a loose relay connection behind the steering column. Found by tracing the ignition wires down from the switch. How many relays are there in these thangs???

DriVer · 11-05-2010, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishinn

Gotcha!!!! dead gremlin!!!!
There was a loose relay connection behind the steering column. Found by tracing the ignition wires down from the switch. How many relays are there in these thangs???

The machine is a rolling computer. You might think you're in charge but I expect that you're just along for the ride!

I'm glad that the problem was resolved