2007 Freightliner Chassis , Damon Tuscany motorhome

[D. Jones]

ASAP we changed the batteries on the chassis and have no power to turn motor over. replaced starter also, but we have no power to starter. where is the starter relay located or starter solenoid located on this chassis. Help, we are dead and looking for answers

[Rook]

Do you have a rear diesel engine? Rook

[markmiiler]

there are a host of relays under drivers side seat outside compartment. I have an 08 and I saw a by pass button in one of the fuse panel for the starter. I would check voltages across fuses as maybe popped fuse changing batteries

[Rook]

If you have a front gas engine, this will not help......but, if you have a rear diesel engine, this may be helpful. On my coach, with a rear CAT diesel engine and a Freightliner XC chassis there is a "Starter Relay" and also a "Starter Solenoid". The Starter Relay is mounted on the wall, just in front of the engine, at the foot of the bed opening. It looks like a typical heavy duty automobile starter relay/solenoid. This relay closes and energizes the Starter Solenoid which is mounted on and is integral to the starter. The Starter Relay is known for failing. Failure mode is when you turn the key to start, you get nothing. I replaced mine last year. Rook

[D. Jones]

we just can't figure out what is going on. We have checked or replaced everything, nothing helps. We have a rear cat engine , I've been under the coach for days, I've opened under the bed to look for starter relay, see nothing. I've asked for a freightliner tech to come from Lubbock but did not call me back.

[D. Jones]

Yes

[D. Jones]

Checked and replaced all fuses or relays, finally bought a relay checker, and guess what, all relays i replaced all show good!?

[Rook]

OK, try this.......with your VIN chassis number in hand (it's on your Registration and Title), call the Freightliner Hotline...... 1-800-385-4357 or (864)206-8613. They are very helpful and can tell you exactly where your Starter Relay is located and suggestions on what else to check. Rook

[Rook]

You said you replaced the chassis batteries and also the starter .......did you personally do this or did you pay a technician to do it? Why did you think you needed a new starter? What events led to all of this? Rook

[D. Jones]

all I did was change chassis batteries, first pair, one wasn't good, took back, got 2 more. Had a tech come, he told me it was either the batteries or starter so I replaced both. Still nothing. Replaced all relays , bought relay checker to be sure, all I replaced shows good. Have been on a creeper for 2 days trying to find starter relay, think I found it, how do check to see if its good or not?

[D. Jones]

I'm going in circles at this point!

[Rook]

This is a bit scary.....you have only 12 volts present, but very high current capacity that's able to weld........so be careful......there will be some sparks. So, on the Relay/Solenoid there are two large and two small terminals. You want to temporarily short the two large terminals together. One way to do this is to use two large screwdrivers, touch each large terminal with a screwdriver blade and touch the blades together in an X........very briefly......if the engine turns over, you have found the starter relay/solenoid. Make sure the ignition is off when you do this. To check the solenoid, connect a voltmeter across the two small terminals and have someone turn the ignition to start....you should see 12.5 volts or more on the meter each time the switch is turned. If yes, then your relay is bad......replace it. If not then the problem is somewhere else.....maybe the ignition switch. Rook

[D. Jones]

Even had the ignition switch out, man this is becoming a pain in my a....if you know what I mean. Called the local freightliner in Lubbock, they said they'd call me back, which was yesterday afternoon, to send a tech out for this morning, still waiting for the call. Thanks for the info

[D. Jones]

Rook. I appreciate all the help i can get.