Community Forums

delornut · 05-23-2018, 07:02 PM

This issue goes back a while. We store our motor home until late December ( after Christmas) when we start our trek south. It always starts from storage but when we bring it home and park it over night it doesn't start the next morning when Minnesota temps can be pretty low. When I turn the key nothing happens. This past December I started the generator and after a few minutes the engine did start. I'm thinking the starter solenoid but it never happens any other time. Once we're on the road everything is fine and all summer everything is fine. I've replaced the ground from the battery to the frame but it didn't seem to matter. Right now I'm fine but every December I wonder if this thing will go on that cold morning we begin our trek.

Bruce
Fleetwood Terra LX on a Workhorse W22.

LVJ58 · 05-23-2018, 09:49 PM

How old is your engine battery? Before trying to start your engine check the voltage at the battery terminals, and is less than 12.7 volts it may need replacing.

Best of luck and let us know the fix.

Switchflicke · 05-27-2018, 08:27 AM

Ours does the exact same thing. Starts fine to reposition to the driveway the day before we leave. Then I need to turn the key to start (and back to run) about 5 or 10 times before it will crank or make any noise at all. I can't remember right now if the panel lights change when I select start. It's kind of unnerving at 5am on January 02 when we are heading out on the great three month adventure, but so far it's eventually started for the last three years.; Then it's good for the rest of the year. I keep the connections clean, the battery fully charged, and I changed the starter too. I also swapped the relay in the fuse panel under the hood. No differences. I expect the same problem next January.
Stan

George Schweikle · 05-28-2018, 08:04 AM

For Switchflicke and his Chevy 8.1:
There have been posts regarding the ignition switch being overloaded with other circuits by the RV manufacturer. This can cause all sorts of issues including complete failure. Check this website and download the "P32 Ignition switch fix" Oemy's Web Site - File Downloads

I know it says P-32, but the Workhorse instructions cover the 8.1 engine ignition switch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Switchflicke

Ours does the exact same thing. Starts fine to reposition to the driveway the day before we leave. Then I need to turn the key to start (and back to run) about 5 or 10 times before it will crank or make any noise at all. I can't remember right now if the panel lights change when I select start. It's kind of unnerving at 5am on January 02 when we are heading out on the great three month adventure, but so far it's eventually started for the last three years.; Then it's good for the rest of the year. I keep the connections clean, the battery fully charged, and I changed the starter too. I also swapped the relay in the fuse panel under the hood. No differences. I expect the same problem next January.
Stan

WeatherTodd · 05-28-2018, 07:24 PM

check the column closely. RV OEMs do a crappy job running the looms inside the column. I had a wire that kept getting pinched from the tilt mechanism.

Plus the plastic surround fits like garbage. I lined the interior with foam so no solid

surfaces touch wire sheathing.

Switchflicke · 05-29-2018, 09:01 PM

Thanks George. I'll look into that
Stan

ktoutoor · 05-29-2018, 11:17 PM

Intermittent no start,,, been there done that, check relay and solenoid.

Check out my video of this very same problem I had a few years back.
https://youtu.be/R02Io7_xNI8

delornut · 05-30-2018, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktoutoor

Intermittent no start,,, been there done that, check relay and solenoid.

Check out my video of this very same problem I had a few years back.
https://youtu.be/R02Io7_xNI8

Great video! Thanks everyone for the great advice.

Bruce