OEM Tech's Ignition Switch Mod

[max49]

Dale is such a great asset to the Workhorse community. Thanks for giving us so much information about our chassis's.

Oemys Web Site - DIY Projects

http://oemys-performance.com/media/W...on%20Relay.pdf



I would love to have the ignition switch mod, before I get stranded some where. However I am afraid I may 'screw it up'.

I'd be willing to bet if I took it to most WH svc cntrs, they'd either just change the ignition switch or if they can even get it, sell me the WH adapter kit $250 , plus labor and probably have to wait a long time before the part came in.

Can anyone recomend a place in CO, preferably around Denver, that could do Dale's DIY ignition relay mod ?

Dale do you do this mod for your customers and if so ,approximately, how much time and money would you have to get ?

I have a spare ignition switch but I don't know, for sure, if I could install and fix it on the side of a road.

I an email from the Yahoo Damon Owners group that a guy with my exact MH is stranded somewhere. I told him I suspected it was his ignition switch . He said I hit the nail on the head and is asking me for more info.
I could only refer him to the 2 above links and of course this forum.

Thanks guys

[oemtech]

I have not done it for anyone yet. But, I don't think would be the difficult after you rounded up all the parts. Cost would time and materials.

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

Are you saying to buy the kit it's $250? From the looks of that kit, it would be easy to build your own for maybe $5.00.

[oemtech]

Bob,

We are guessing that if you bought the kit from Workhorse the cost would be about $250... maybe less but who knows with Workhorse. Heavens knows what the labor bill would be.

A new switch is about $25, relay $10, wire $5 and another $5 for connectors for a grand total of less than $50. The end result is a cheap repair and some extra wire and connectors for your next project. Of course if you don't need the switch you only looking at about $20.

[oemtech]

I did some checking and hang on to your wallet if you plan to have Workhorse install the kit. The kit (W8002085) with an all the parts including the ignition switch runs $240 to $325, from the dealer, plus 2.5 hours labor ($100x2.5). So, your looking at $575 or more to fix a problem created by the coach builder. The Kit (W8002060) without the ignition switch is about $190.

You don't even need to do the math!

[Breezeman]

Hey max,

Check out this thread.
Lot of info in it.

Ignition Switch

I did the mod to mine. Was really a simple job. I was worrried too about "screwing something up" but I did just fine. Already been on couple "few hundred mile" trips with no problems. The worst part is "laying on your head upside down" under the whell to get the job done. Luckily I am a skinny pretty flexible guy. I tend to think anyways. LOL

Good luck,
Larry

[max49]

Unfortunately, that price is what we expected from WH and the svc cntrs. And if I took them all the parts myself, many of them would not know how to do it. Many, hopefully not all are" Parts changers." Unfortunately, I't hard to find someone that you can feel confident that they will do it right. I wish Dale, Brazels or Redlands was'nt so far away.
Maybe If I get down the Elgin to get my BBQ dinner, I can get Dale to help me with it.

Thanks for that link Breezeman. I bookmarked it. I'll need all the reference material I can get, if I decide to "git er done myself".

Does the ignition switch failure usually give a few warning signals before it totally fails? If so , what are they? Mine only acted weird one time in a very desolate spot. Turned key, nothing, turned it on & off a time or 4, wiggled the gearshift and it fired right up. Has'nt done it again and I have no idea why it messed up or even why it decided to start right up. I do know that there is way more connected to the ignition switch than I like. Actually there was no reason to do that either. Even my slide is connected, the key has to be off for the slide to work.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by max49 I wish Dale, Brazels or Redlands was'nt so far away. .

I might be further away but I would be worth the trip!

Sorry I didn't make your hit list!

[max49]

Thanks Driver.
I hope that did'nt hurt your feelers. I and most every one here knows you are probably the most helpful guy here on the forum. But I did'nt know if the P-32 ignition switch was a little out of your element. And I did'nt know if you actually help people work on their MHs. Actually , Dale is the only one who puts info like this on the ignition switch. I bet he gets probably more business than he wants. I wish he was close. I know if someone around CO had that helpful website about WH, I'd figure, he deserves my business and would get it.
Now, you know I'm from FL. There are 2 ways I go. The southern route through TX or the closer North or East route that could easily take me through SC. So I just wanted to warn you and Dale, that someday, I might come visit you with ignition switch and relays in hand. But I don't have your Ph #.
Do you have any info to add in case I try it myself, or suggestions on how to get it to work temporarily if it does mess up?
Thanks for checking in on this thread.

[max49]

I just got this email from a guy on the Yahoo forum.
It gave me a little more info for if it fails and I thought it was little amusing too.

"Max,
Here is my story with one picture.
BTW: I typo-ed we have an '04 3270 Daybreak on Workhorse(WH).
I get in turn the key and nothing lights up on the dash. 1st try "Emergency Start" button ... still nothing.
Climb under the hood check all the fuses, under the dash checking fuses. test key ... nothing.
test all connectors I can put my hands on ... test key .... nothing.
I call Workhorse roadside for assistance in finding a repair facility, all are closed Sunday so .... We wait until 8:30AM Monday. I cal place #1 and they said this is not a problem they are familiar with BUT if I have it towed there they will take a look at it ..... hmmm maybe not the right place for me, especially since I find some bad reviews for them on-line. second place phone # no good/disconnected. OK so I crawl around tugging and checking wires and stuff another 1/2 hr or so ... still key gets nothing. I call my local repair place and talk to the WH guy and he said he would suspect the ignition over the ECU so I start into the steering column steering wheel off first then keep going .... almost ready to give-up and then I see the green connector (in the picture) ... "Hey!!" it is connected by a steel rod to the ignition switch key assy!!
I take it apart before figuring out how it is mounted along with the 2-3 other switches etc connected to the ign. switch.
reconnect the connectors while holding this green plastic mess in my hand and ..... Lights Camera Action!!!! the dash lights-up like a Christmas tree, Woo Hoo!!
OK so now I have to lie on my back, on the floor, in front of the drivers seat, under the dash, one arm over my head, ass and legs up on the dog house to get access to the bolts and wires and mounting to get the steel part off so I can reassemble the whole damn thing. after reassembly and re-installing I test the key and it works, YEAHHHH! now I put the whole RV back together again without turning the engine off, but after that my wife asks If we should have lunch before driving home and giving it is now about 4:30PM I agree and turn it off. It worked like new the rest of the day but I still plan to replace it or at the very least carry a new part with us from here out. I will now carry this new ignition switch and a replacement Auto-park relay, spare tail light and marker light etc. in my ever growing tool box. That tool box is up to approx. 80lbs now. I'll do some of your suggested reading before I run out to get the spare switch.
Well that is about it Max, let me know if you have any questions. Hey you can email me anytime you have any kinda RV question and maybe I can answer it I have been fixing mine for 7 years now and I really get worried when I let any shop tech touch it even for factory recall items, I stand around and watch the whole time, it probably makes them nervous but at least it will be done right or I'll give them my 2 cents.
Thanks for sharing your data.
Peace,
KG

I told him about this and Dales'site, which is where I get my data. If it was'nt for you guys, I would'nt have been able to diagnose the problem as the ignition switch

[Breezeman]

Does the ignition switch failure usually give a few warning signals before it totally fails? If so , what are they?

Max,

Mine did not give any "sign". Family and I were heading home from a weekend beach trip and all of a sudden RV just "died". No warning or nothing. Coasted to a stop in the middle of road because we decided to take the "back" roads. No shoulder. It would not start back or ANYTHING. No power from switch at all. Had a buddy pull me off the road with his 38' RV. That was a site. LOL Anyways called tow truck from my home town (85 miles away). 3 hours and $800 later we were home. I had the switch replaced and then I added the relay myself. So far, So good.

Larry

MAX, where are you in Florida? Im located in Valdosta, Ga. Just north of FL line.

[max49]

Hi Larry,

I lived in FL, in the Clearwater area from '55 to '83 when I moved to CO. My oldest daughter , my 3 sisters and brother in law and his family still live there so we still go down there occasionaly. I've been through Valdosta many times.
I'll have to say, knowing your ignition switch failed without warning, going down the road is not good news to hear. I also have the autopark and when the ignition is turned off, it locks up. Did yours? That would compound the problem of towing or getting it off the road. Geeze, talk about bad ideas, this takes the cake.
I'm glad it you had a buddy with you to help and every thing worked out after $800.
I may have to tackle this job.

[Breezeman]

Oh OK Max, I thought you were in FL now. I just didn't read deep enough.
This is one time I can say I'm glad I didn't have the autopark. From what I have read here and there, not sure I even want one. Just something else to tear up and maintain. (so to speak) I CAN say that when mine shut off, I had VERY HARD brake pedal and NO power steering. I basically just coasted to a stop right in the road. SO glad I was on "back" road than in busy area. When my buddy was pulling me off the road, It was all I could do to steer it and stop it. He pulled me about 2 miles up the road to an old parking lot. Was a pretty "tense" moment.

The relay addition is a pretty easy straight forward deal. Like mentioned in earlier posts, Its the "standing on head" that is the toughest part. I also carry spare ignition switch now.

Hope you get it all worked out.

Larry

[woltz]

Hey guys,
I am KG, the guy Max49 wrote about in a few posts and quoted in post #10. I will be replacing my failing ign. switch with a new switch and relay mod ASAP. It is a real sick feeling from the bottom of your gut when you go to start the monster and you get almost nothing with the turn of the key. I have found this and associated threads very informative and am confidant that I can do this mod better than most shops tech guys.