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01-26-2017, 09:55 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 2
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Didn't start my '97 Southwind Storm for 2 months!
I did something really stupid, and let my rv sit for 2 1/2 months before I turned it on. I know better, but I was busy and distracted and lost track of time in a big way. So when I went to turn it on recently and...
Nothing happened. At all. Starter didn't make a peep, or anything. Just silence. No reaction at all from the engine. I know, shocking, right? Now I need to figure out what may be wrong with the ford super-duty class a motorhome engine on a '97 fleetwood southwind storm.
First, I'm going to charge all 3 batteries, then try again. If it isn't the batteries, does anyone know what it could be?
Thank you for your help. I'm really broke and I cant afford a qualified mechanic (except as last resort) So I'd really like to figure it out myself, with help from this site.
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01-26-2017, 10:47 PM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 18
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Check batteries for charge should be 12v or more. If no voltage on chassis batteries check coach batteries. If charged use the battery boost switch to start engine. If no voltage check all battery terminals (clean/tight) plug into shore power and let charge. Check battery water if low add H2O also. Lots of things you can check such as ensuring the chassis batteries are turned on...simple thing but if off she won't crank.
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01-27-2017, 03:34 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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Batteries most likely are run down. Check them with a voltmeter. Check for water if the house batteries are wet cell. Put a battery charger on the chassis battery to get it started. Then turn attention to the house batteries.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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01-27-2017, 03:39 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 2,728
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nanarchy
I did something really stupid, and let my rv sit for 2 1/2 months before I turned it on. I know better, but I was busy and distracted and lost track of time in a big way. So when I went to turn it on recently and...
Nothing happened. At all. Starter didn't make a peep, or anything. Just silence. No reaction at all from the engine. I know, shocking, right? Now I need to figure out what may be wrong with the ford super-duty class a motorhome engine on a '97 fleetwood southwind storm.
First, I'm going to charge all 3 batteries, then try again. If it isn't the batteries, does anyone know what it could be?
Thank you for your help. I'm really broke and I cant afford a qualified mechanic (except as last resort) So I'd really like to figure it out myself, with help from this site.
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x2 what Phil and Vince said
If/when batteries are fully charged and cable connections at battery are clean and tight:
If lights on dash work, headlights, radio, etc., but no starter turning check connections at starter and starter.
If still no lights, etc. check fuses.
__________________
1998 Min Winnie, 2000 Winbago Journey, 2015 ACE 29.3
2016 Thor Miramar 34.2
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01-27-2017, 04:29 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 2,721
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You did not mention trying the auxillary start switch. It is on the far left of the dash, it connects all three batteries for supplemental starting power. If the chassis battery has crapped out it should start the motor.
Hold the switch in, you should hear a click, try starting while holding the aux switch in.
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]2008 Bounder 38P F53 24/30K V10, 2013 Kia Soul Basic 6 speed manual, Ready Brake Elite tow system (previous equipment 1996 Pace Arrow Vision w/Acme Dolly)
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01-27-2017, 07:01 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 17
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There is nothing stupid about leaving a motorhome for 2 1/2 months without starting it. Your only error was not ensuring that either the batteries had a trickle charger connected OR were fully charged then disconnected.
Many (most?) people leave there rigs parked (stored) without starting. In fact, just starting and idling does more damage than not starting. IF you are going to start the rig once a month you need to drive it normally for about an hour to get EVERYTHING up to temperature to drive out any moisture.
Two years ago we did not go to Mexico for the winter and parked it at home. In the spring it started instantly. In Mexico we are usually parked here for at least three months. Start it up at the end of February and off we go. Over 100,000 miles on the rig.
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01-27-2017, 08:10 PM
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#7
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Community Administrator
Pond Piggies Club LA Gulf Coast Campers Outdoors RV Owners Club Entegra Owners Club Skyline Owners Group
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 40,507
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I agree on what others have said. We don't start our Bounder after we put it to bed in November until April or even May comes around. Never once had an issue with it starting up just fine. So it's not just the fact you didn't start it. It's something else.
Lori-
__________________
Lori (& Dave, my spirit guide) - RV/MH Hall of Fame Lifetime Member | My iRV2 Photo Albums
2016 Phoenix Cruiser 2350S, 2018 Phaeton 40IH,2006 Bounder 36Z, 2004 Cougar 285EFS, 2000 Aerolite 25FBR
There is great need for a sarcasm font.
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01-28-2017, 09:35 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 250
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I'll try not to be redundant. As well stated, not starting it for even 5-6 months is not a problem. Our past 2011 Fleetwood Storm would winter outside in Northern Ohio winter, October to April never started. The first two years it fired right off, at the start of the second season just like you.... nothing.
The weakened 3 year old battery failed to hold a charge, no power source nearby, I had topped off the water and gave it a full charge prior to hibernation. As I suspected it it's weakened state it was frozen solid. Rather than let it thaw and attempt a charge, bought a new one from Costco, $110.00 with tax.
So.... remove the caps and make sure it isn't frozen before attempting a jump start, or you may end up with battery shrapnel. Sounds like you know it's time to replace.
__________________
Tara is our Border Collie daughter.
2014 Winnegabo Forza 34T 32 year Good Sam member
Dragging a 2015 Cadillac SRX, very nicely!
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01-28-2017, 03:56 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Milford,CT.
Posts: 2,237
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I let my 1994 Pacearrow with a 454 sit for almost two years without starting.
Put batteries back in and started right up and never had a problem with it.
Check batteries
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01-28-2017, 04:46 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: channahon il
Posts: 399
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You may try the battery switch ,toggle type switch near door-Mine had to be turned on & off about a dozen times then I heard it click and motor started right up-you did not say if you turned that toggle switch off though-If batteries show charge I bet the toggle switch just needs a good cleaning-Rich
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01-28-2017, 09:40 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Watertown NY USA
Posts: 6,389
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Turn the ignition key to the run position. Does the volt meter show 12 volts? If not you have a dead or low battery or a connection problem somewhere.
A volt meter placed across the battery terminals should read 12 or more volts. If not you have a dead or low battery.
If you have a battery charger hook it up and let the battery charge on low for a few minutes before changing it to high charge rate. After the battery has charged for a while turn the key back on to run position. Now do you have 12 volts on the dash volt meter? If so try starting the engine. If the engine starts the battery was dead before you charged it. Either drive the MH to a parts store which will test the battery for you or remove the battery and take it to the parts store for a test.
If the battery tests bad it is replacement time. If the battery tests good there may be a drain somewhere in the electrical system or something may have been left on while the unit was left sitting.
Lynn
__________________
2002 Fleetwood Storm 30H on Workhorse P32 chassis 8.1 gas.
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