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Hayman · 05-20-2016, 08:01 AM

THOUGHTS ? Arrived at our destination yesterday. While unhooking the toad I saw the rear docking lights were on and thought either I or Ruby ( our boxer ) had pushed the rocker switch. NOT ! None of the switches would shut them off so I pulled the fuse.

Faulty switch ? Your thoughts ?

TonyMac · 05-20-2016, 08:33 AM

Likely, there is a relay that stuck in the "docking lights are on" position, or closed. Your low amp switch applies power to the relay, closing the relay contacts whick provide the high amp power to the docking lights. The relay likely looks like a fuse on steroids, likely just plugsinto a 'fuse board', and it'll have some numbers on it, like 1100A. It may also have the relay pattern on it, but I like the number. Get the same number because many look exactly alike, but are different inside. Takes about a 1/2 beer to swap a relay, but the wife will think you're such a man. DO NOt TELL HER HOW EASY IT WAS, MAN SECRET!!

"If she don't find you handsome, she should at least find you handy." Red Green

Hayman · 05-20-2016, 09:29 AM

Thanks, that makes sense , now finding the location of the relay and if it's Entegra or Spartan. Guess I'm making a phone call !

brobox · 05-20-2016, 10:52 AM

Brian, another easy way to tell is swap the wires with one of the other docking light switches. If those docking lights come on, then it's the switch, if the rear ones stay on...not the switch.

Cruzer · 05-20-2016, 11:42 AM

Brian, I'm not so sure that you have any relays for the docking lights. I found nothing in the rear Spartan fuse panel (under the round connector by the air drier). The docking lights are an Entegra accessory and the 10 amp fuse for them is found in the left-front basement compartment. It's fuse #5 on my coach in the Battery Hot fuse block. Seeing as how there are three switches (left side, right side and rear) and they are low draw LED lights I doubt that they would use relays when the rocker switches are rated for quite a bit of current.

757driver · 05-20-2016, 12:40 PM

The rear docking lights are also the reverse gear back up lights so the problem may be there.

Hayman · 05-20-2016, 03:47 PM

Cruzer, Thanks , that is the fuse I pulled to shut the lights off.

757driver, Thanks just not sure how the reverse button activates the back up lights but I'm assuming electrically through a relay.

brobox, Good idea can try that too !
I received a schematic from PJ of a relay panel behind the dash gauges and 87a is the backup/rear docking light relay.

So tomorrow I guess I'll check that out. Wish me luck !

Hayman · 05-22-2016, 09:45 AM

UPDATE : Tomorrow arrived as it usually does 😄 but I didn't get around tuit !
Too much to do and catch up on at Myrtle Beach after not visitng for 6 years.

The other thought is we need to be in Mass. to our kids this Thursday and if I were to dig into the dash and --------- well you know MURPHY's LAW ? So I've decided to wait until parked at our son's house ( our area our entire lives ) where I have access to facilities and helper techs if need be. After all we don't need docking lights to drive !

Will post when I know more.