Fuel Gauge & Volt Gauge not working

[Deerhunter]

I have 2003 Newmar DSDP with a Cat engine. Recently replaced all batteries. Since then, I've noticed that the volt gauge & fuel gauge are not working. I've checked all fuses inside and outside by the Gen set.
Has anyone else experienced this problem and how was it resolved?
If not ----
Does anyone have a schematic or wiring diagram for the instrument cluster or know where I could look for this information?

Thanks
Denver

[bigskymt]

I checked the drawings for my '04 KSDP/Cat/Freightliner and was unable to find anything about the instrument cluster. I checked all my docs for fuses in the gen. compartment and under the dash and could find nothing specific about voltmeter or fuel guage.
I noticed sometime after I changed my chassis batts my voltmeter was slow to show a charge after first starting. It always caught up so I never bothered to put a meter on it. Does your voltmeter show "zero"?........fuel guage empty or full? (full is open loop)
Most repair shops subscibe to several online companies and can download schematics.
Sorry I couldn't be more help, good luck.
Please post your findings for the rest of us.

[Deerhunter]

Volt gauge not reading any volts and fuel gauge showing empty.

Something else not mentioned before. If I leave my engine electrical system on, it will drain the batteries by 50% in two days. If I turn off the master switch located by the engine then there is no drain to the battery.

Any ideas on how to check to see what is draining the batteries?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[bigskymt]

That sounds like some serious current draw. If you have a DVM with ammeter function that measures 10 amps you could put that in line and see what the actual draw is. Then its just a matter of disconnecting things or pulling fuses. Aside from an alternator problem or genset glow plugs I can't imagine what could draw that kind of current with ignition off. You never mentioned what chassis you have.

Perhaps a Mod can move this to the appropriate chassis section as you may get better info. there.

["007"]

Lets try that bigsktmt, FL forum here we come.

[Martind4]

I don't know if Newmar makes a custom dash or if they use the standard Freightliner dash layout. Either way, I'd make a call to the Freightliner Help Desk 800-385-4357 and explain the problem to them. Have the last 6 digits of your VIN# available.

[Deerhunter]

Thanks very much for the comments. I'll try the help desk at Freightliner and see what they can advise.

[Hooligan]

If the problem with the gauges started with the new batteries, gauges may be mis-wired at the batteries- or are not making good connection on the post.
If your steps are wired to the chassis battery, they can run the battery down. They turn off after retracting due to current draw. My step controller would hum (buzz) every few minutes when the coach was new as it kept trying to retract the steps (which were up). Did drain the batteries until the steps were moved to the coach batteries.

[wagonmaster2]

All my gauges on a 2004 Freightliner XC chassis will go completely dead 2-4 times a year for anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. This has gone on since the coach was approximately a year old and Freightliner has not been able to pin down the problem at this time. As was stated above, an intermittent electrical problem is almost impossible to locate, but it can be very frustrating for the coach owner.

Wagonmaster2

[Deerhunter]

Update 7/20/10

Well it was worth the time with Freightliner Warranty support. I now know that I have a bad gauge cluster.

I talked to Rhonda at Freightliner (very knowledgeable lady) and she walked me thru the check process. Her # is 800-385-4357 and you need to have the last 6 digits of your VIN# available.

If your gauges are the same as mind the gauge we are talking about is the RPM - fuel - volts.


When you turn the key to "on" you will see a vibration of all the gauge needles or indicators as they do a self check. Check to see if your volt & fuel gauge does a self check. (mine did not self check)

There is a connector on the back of the gauge that has 4 color coded wires coming out of it. Disconnect the harness from the gauge.

Disconnect a harness from either one of the other two instruments and plug it into the RPM/Volt/Fuel gauge.

Turn the key to "on" and see if it does a self check. If yes check to see if the gauges are indicating.

If yes then your harness is bad - If no then your gauge is bad.

The part # for the gauge is KYS 69130006101 which is a 5" 3 in 1 Tach/Fuel/Volt gauge with black face.

I hope this will help out anyone with the same problem. Unfortunately I'm buying a new gauge.