Need help!

robertduss · 03-30-2011, 07:44 AM

Hi,
New to RVing and would like some help. I have purchase a 1997 Atisca Suncruiser motorhome with a 454 chev. engine. The unit would start well without any problems. Yesterday I try to start the unit, but it would not start. Turning the ignition switch on and would not start. Try it in neutral, but the same result. Battery fully charged. When I try to start, I can hear a cliking sound on the bottom of the steering wheel. I can see the switch moving and get hot. I have try everything to get the unit to start, but to no avail. If someone can help me, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

ga traveler · 03-30-2011, 08:04 AM

Sounds like low voltage. first you need to have someone read voltage at the battery while you crank the engine. If voltage drops below about ten volts your battery is bad. Remember, a bad battery can read twelve volts until you put a load on it. Second. check the ground to the battery. Check on the battery and the ground strap to the frame. Third check the solonoid connection at the starter. Make sure the connection is tight.

Mike Canter · 03-30-2011, 08:20 AM

Going by what you have said if the ignition switch is getting hot indicates that the switch maybe bad. If the contacts in the switch are burned then the resistance is high and the voltage drop is too high so it will not activate the solenoid on the starter. The clicking you are hearing is the starting solenoid trying to engage.

The other possibility is a loose or dirty battery cables. Try starting it again several times then stop and go and touch the both battery cables and see if one has gotten warm. If so get a special battery brush and take the cables off and clean the battery posts and the inside of the hole on the cable terminals until they all are bright. You cannot look at a battery cable and tell if it is clean or not.

robertduss · 03-30-2011, 09:58 AM

It's not the ignition switch itself going hot, it's at the bottom of the steering colunm. It's a round and black with two wire black and grey. When I turn the ignition switch to start, it clicks and get hot. There is a plunger coming from it which goees up when tring to start. Have check everything, at the starter(power there) and everyelse. There is power. It was starting fine before Never a problem.

Mike Canter · 03-30-2011, 11:15 AM

Try starting the MH with the headlights on with somebody standing outside and watching them. If they go out or flash while trying to start it then you have a bad, loose or dirty battery cable connection. The cable will check OK with power until you try to start it and it draws high current then it will loose connectivity.

robertduss · 03-30-2011, 11:30 AM

Thanks, but the unit will not even turn over when trying to satrt.

Mike Canter · 03-30-2011, 11:40 AM

Robert, I totally understand it will not turn over when you are trying to start it but what happens to the headlights when they are on and you try and start it. Do they go out or just stay on. This helps me trouble shoot what is happening.

Have you tried starting it and held the key in start postion two or three times then put your hand on the positive and negative battery terminals to see if either one got hot?

ChasA · 03-30-2011, 11:49 AM

Try this, I've seen it work many times. Get under the coach with a small hammer or large wrench and tap on the starter and solenoid. Then see if it will start.

robertduss · 03-31-2011, 11:51 AM

Hi,
Light stays when trying to start. Just replace the ignition switch, but still not working. Power to starter. Have try just about everything I know but still not getting any juice to start. Battery are charge..Thanks for the help

Mike Canter · 03-31-2011, 12:19 PM

OK, if the headlights stay on while you are trying to start indicates that the battery and the battery cable connections are all good.Also, indicates that the actual starter motor is probably good. Most likely the starter solenoid on the starter motor is bad. This can be replaced without having to buy a new starter. To save money and to really find out what the problem is I would take the starter motor out which is just two bolts from the bottom (don't loose those shims between the starter and the engine if there are any) and find a starter and alternator repair shop in the yellow pages and take it it and they can bench test it for you. If it is the solenoid then they can change that right there.

As suggested early this is a possibility that the starter solenoid is just stuck and sometime tapping it with a hammer can free it but it can be hard to get to the solenoid on the starter in some installations. If it was me I would take it off and get it tested so I didn't get stuck with it not starting when on a trip.

Robert T · 03-31-2011, 03:27 PM

On top of the engine on the 454 is a relay block which runs to the engine switch. Check for a click noise of rely. Check connections.

4Knights · 03-31-2011, 04:16 PM

On the bottom of the steering column the switch you are talking about- pull up on the rod and try to start, bet it starts, if not I owe you 10 cents next time you see me. Happens on my 94 pace al the time. It's combination of low voltage connection and switch going out.

Ron & Wendy 94 Pace Arrow 454