Engine starts MoM only

[tjwolf]

'91 WB Chieftain w/454 Workhorse P-32 with about 48K. Have not had time to check it out as it sits at the lake over the 4th. Thought some folks on this forum may have had the same problems over the years.
1)Dash lights, door lights remain on.
2)Shore power works A/C and 110.
3)Water heater and Refrig all run on shore line.
4)Steps will not retract unless the engine is started.
5)Inverter and batteries all replaced recently.
It appears that a circuit is open. Switches (main, aux, and mom) all appear (sound)like they are activating when operated. All fuses were checked and re-checked and none blown.
Any ideas (on possible solutions or problems) that I can take to the lake this week and trouble shoot?
Since it starts, is it safe to drive the unit to a service center, w/o burning everything up? The unit is near impossible to get off the hill and between trees w/o chassis power.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Tom

[tjwolf]

'91 WB Chieftain w/454 Workhorse P-32 with about 48K. Have not had time to check it out as it sits at the lake over the 4th. Thought some folks on this forum may have had the same problems over the years.
1)Dash lights, door lights remain on.
2)Shore power works A/C and 110.
3)Water heater and Refrig all run on shore line.
4)Steps will not retract unless the engine is started.
5)Inverter and batteries all replaced recently.
It appears that a circuit is open. Switches (main, aux, and mom) all appear (sound)like they are activating when operated. All fuses were checked and re-checked and none blown.
Any ideas (on possible solutions or problems) that I can take to the lake this week and trouble shoot?
Since it starts, is it safe to drive the unit to a service center, w/o burning everything up? The unit is near impossible to get off the hill and between trees w/o chassis power.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Tom

[max49]

Only Mom can start the engine?

[Mutha]

Tom, I am not quite sure what your problem is and what you want to do to the unit.

I am thinking your item #1 (lights stay on) is your problem and you are asking if it is ok to drive the unit to a service center with the dash & door lights on? I would think so.

Your steps should retract when you turn the ingnition switch to the on and/or start position. You may also have a overide step swith by the entrance door that will let you retract the steps when you are leaviing the coach and do not want the steps left in the out position.

Your "House" Air Conditioner and Refrigerator should run off the shore power and the generator if you have one. You may also have a DASH Air Conditioner that runs off the engine only. Your shore power should be 120 volts AC. If your Refrigerator is a 3-way, it may also run off your Propane system as well.

Your water heater should run off your propane system and also 120 volt AC if it has a CAL ROD unit in it. Most of the older Water heaters only ran on the propane system.

I do not know what switch you are referring to as a MoM?

If you can start the coach, you should be able to drive it to a repair shop if it runs and has brakes and stop lights. If you are worried about the house electrical system, just turn off your invertor and your "House" battery switch. Your chassis wiring circuits should all be fused, so even if you do have a open circuit or a short your fuses should protect the open or short circuit from extensive damage.

Hope you will clairify any misunderstandings I might have from your post.

Good Luck - Glenn