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LAtransplant · 09-03-2015, 02:49 PM

Sorry up front if I am posting in the wrong area. This is my first time posting on a forum in my entire life. I recently purchased a 2003 Fleetwood Southwind 36B w/ a workhorse chasis 8.1L. On my first trip I found on on the interstate that my headlights work fine (low and high beams) as well as my blinkers and brake lights. Howevery my taillights and dash lights do not work (not sure about the marker lamps). Does anyone have any ideas as to a starting point for troubleshooting? I have checked the fuses and all are good. Thanks.

mgscott4 · 09-03-2015, 09:13 PM

Welcome to IRV2.com You posted in the right place.

Sounds like it could be a ground wire problem. But it may also be 2 different problems. I would start trouble shooting the tail lights first. Could just be bad bulbs. Take them out and check the bulbs, remember, the bulbs may have 2 elements, the brake 1/2 works but the taillight 1/2 may not. If everything is good, with the lights on, check for 12 volts with a meter, you could also run a separate ground wire and touch it to the side of the bulb and see if it lights.

Skip426 · 09-03-2015, 09:18 PM

The headlights are powered through a self re-setting circuit breaker, tail and marker lights have fuses. Chassis fuse panel is the first place to check.

BTW: Welcome to iRV2, you've come to the right place for answers , and you've posted in the right forum.

DAN L · 09-04-2015, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAtransplant

Sorry up front if I am posting in the wrong area. This is my first time posting on a forum in my entire life. I recently purchased a 2003 Fleetwood Southwind 36B w/ a workhorse chasis 8.1L. On my first trip I found on on the interstate that my headlights work fine (low and high beams) as well as my blinkers and brake lights. Howevery my taillights and dash lights do not work (not sure about the marker lamps). Does anyone have any ideas as to a starting point for troubleshooting? I have checked the fuses and all are good. Thanks.

all of the rear sockets were either intermittent or inop when I first got my Moho in 2006. I cleaned the sockets and contacts with a wire brush.
the lenses fit loosely, letting water in.
I added weather stripping to stop water intrusion.

Libero · 09-04-2015, 02:36 AM

Do your headlights come on all the time while driving? I mean as in daytime running lights. It looks to me that you may not have your lights turned on. The fact that your dash lights and tail lights and I suspect , running lights, are not on would make me look at the power source for those lights. Suggest you determine if your running lights are on or not as a first step and then look for switches and fuses in the circuit. I doubt it is a ground problem if your signal/brake lights are ok. Just my opinion. In most cases it is a common ground for each light housing asembly. Good luck.

George Z · 09-04-2015, 04:47 AM

For many years automotive tail lights and dash lights were on the same power supply so if your taillights went out due to a short or circuit problem the dash lights would also go out to warn the driver. Don't know if that was still the case here but just passing on the info. In times past that would lead me to check for blown fuse or broken power wire. ( definitely showing my age here )

LAtransplant · 09-04-2015, 04:11 PM

The RV does not have daytime running lights and I have confirmed that I can turn the lights on and off so I believe the switch or atleast half the switch is working. A friend of mine recommended pulling the switch out and checking it since it's where the problem seems to begin. I am having an electronics savy buddy come over the first of next week to help me troubleshoot. Thanks for all of the ideas as I am sure I will try all of them to get to the bottom of this. I will update when I get some progress. Thanks again!

az bound · 09-04-2015, 04:43 PM

There are two fuses for the tail lights. both in the under hood fuse block, each is 5 amp. One for the left, one for the right.
The instrument cluster fuse is located in the internal fuse block,(under the dash) in position 14, Counting from the left, it is in the third row and the second one down. It is 10 amp.

LAtransplant · 09-04-2015, 05:34 PM

Thanks AZ I checked the two under the hood but didnt know about the one under the dash, I'll check that. I bought it used and dont have any user manuals. I have been piecing them together as I go.

ga traveler · 09-04-2015, 06:05 PM

George Z is correct. If the fuse for the taillights blows it takes out the dash lights to let you know. (They are on to same fuse for this reason.)

LAtransplant · 09-21-2015, 07:14 PM

Everyone thanks for all the help. I traced it down to the acutal light switch. Ordered a new one from a panel van shop and 3 minutes later I was in business. Thanks again everyone.

wa8yxm · 09-22-2015, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

The headlights are powered through a self re-setting circuit breaker, tail and marker lights have fuses. Chassis fuse panel is the first place to check.:

I will second this. On a Workhorse there are two fuse panels you need to check, One is under the dash (This is the Convience panel and likely will not be the one you want but you should know about it) the other is under the hood, dead center, eye level if you are 6' or taller. plain black box, no markings. (markings are inside) other chassis makes I can not help you.

But for sure it is NOT a ground issue.. Why do I say this:

Tail lights have one ground, Marker another and Dash still a 3rd... They do, however, all share a fuse.