Instrument Panel Goes Haywire

[golden]

When I bought my MH in Mar '04, as I left the dealer and was driving down the interstate, all the lights, bells and whistles on my instrument panel started going beserk. Flashing lights, all the guages going to 0, etc. It only lasted about 10 seconds, but it scared the crap out me. This was less than five minutes after I drove it off the lot. Took it back, they checked and found nothing wrong.

Since that time, I've had no repeat problem - until yesterday. As I was taking it to my dealer to have some work done, the same identical thing happened. I got to the dealer's place without further incident, but when I parked it, I couldn't remove the key and I could switch through all the gears although the power was ostensibly off. Finally after about two minutes, everything seemed to return to usual.

Over the years, I've read where others have have problems with their panels. Has any determination ever been made about what causes this? My dealer couldn't make the situation repeat so there was no way of knowing what was going on.

Trust me when I say that when you are driving down the interestate at 60 mph, one of the last things you want to have happen is you panel going crazy.

[-Gramps-]

There is a fix. Depending on the problem it could be a software fix or an IP replacement. You need to take it to a Workhorse service center to find out which.

[oemtech]

Gramps,

I personally do not believe that there is a FIX for this problem... per si. They were testing some software fix at MB.

But, it specific to certain coaches and certain years. From what I know about electronics and software programming they don't what the cause is as they can't reproduce the problem on demand. I suspect that they are getting a "stray" signal and don't have code o handle the error condition and the default is to "RESET" the cluster... IE - Bells and Gauge reset.

[CMcCardell]

Has anyone reported any damage or expensive repair bills caused by the panel going haywire? Mine does it once every 600 or 700 miles, on long trips, for about 5 seconds and then goes back to normal. It's never seemed to be anything more than a temporary issue.

- Clay

'04 Adventurer/W22

[George Z]

I think the clusters might be haunted and everyone should call Ghost Busters

George

[-Gramps-]

Oemtech,

I think I may have confused this blip problem with the display fading problem?

["007"]

OK, under the front of your w-22 chassis frame your may have a ground post bolt welded to the frame. It will favor the drivers side. On this bolt will be multiple white ground wires, check it and if wire rings are loose or dirty remove all wires clean then up get a star washer to put under nut to lock tight all ground wire rings.
You can use some di-electric grease to protect them from corrosion.
These ground wires feed all your HWH jack solenoids and fuse panels in dash area.
One other thing you can try is gain access to back of your Acti display and replug the plugs into its backside. One maybe loose and not seated correctly or pins have become oxidized from not being seated correctly.

[Captain Bud]

Right on Roger, Good answer...

[max49]

I agree with Dale. I don't think they have a clue why there are so many electrical glitches. Well they may know why but don't know how to fix it. I believe it all starts with Actia.
I was taking mine to the WH svc cntr to get the airbag they ordered installed. On the way, my fuel and temp. gauge went 90 degrees off the chart and stayed there. I knew nothing was wrong except the gauges (Actia) and knew if I turned it off when I got there and turned it back on all would be normal. So I left it running and went inside @ K&C RV. The svc writer came out and I showed him the gauges and he kinda scratched his head and wrote it on the ticket.
I waited a couple of hours and they told me it was finished.
I asked about the gauges and he said when they turned it off and did the airbag and when they restarted it, low and behold , it had fixed itself. What a surprise.
So it just goes to show that when they saw and did'nt even have to replicate the problem, they still can't fix it.
It does'nt seem to hurt any thing so I just learned with it.
The worst thing I don't like is occasionally when I first start it up, the IP flashes
"BRAKE FAILURE". This only stays on the the IP for a second or two and goes off, just long enough for me to think, 'oh , how nice'.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by max49 The worst thing I don't like is occasionally when I first start it up, the IP flashes "BRAKE FAILURE". This only stays on the the IP for a second or two and goes off, just long enough for me to think, 'oh , how nice'.

Max, You've lived with your motorhome for quite a long time and I am only curious in asking you, would this not be a test process that your IP is accomplishing?

[max49]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer Max, You've lived with your motorhome for quite a long time and I am only curious in asking you, would this not be a test process that your IP is accomplishing?

I hope so Driver, but it is not consistent and only does it occasionaly

["007"]

I use to get the fuel dump and whistles back 03-06 but non for the last three years so don't give up Max you may come out ok in a couple of years also.
I still have the original IP also clean as a whistle.

[Captain Bud]

I also have the original, I haven't had and incident in many , many miles. Don't know what ever was wrong with it or what or how it fixed itself. I would still like to meet the designer and the spec writer on this marvelous piece of electronics.

[speed racer]

Mine would do this every time I took to the road but after cleaning and tightening the ground and the plug in the back of the dash it has not happened for almose two years.