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dragracer32 · 02-13-2016, 10:00 PM

Hello,
I'm dragracer32. (Brent) from Covington, Tn. and have been reading answers on your forum for years, but am just now joining. My 1996 HR Imperial on a Spartan chassis started having problems at an Indy dragrace a few years ago by not starting when I turned key.. Not dead battery, etc., because I checked, plus, after about 5 key turns, it finally "caught".. This happened on and off for a couple years until now, it MIGHT try turning over about 4 revolutions and then stops. I've checked all grounds, starter, starter relay, and fuses. It has a dash mounted switch (that I haven't quite figured how to get out yet).. Could the switch be bad? If so, how do I get it out. I can unscrew front bezel to where it should just " fall" out, but it doesn't... Anybody know the switch trick? Also, once removed, which wire goes to the relay? One more question.. Is there anywhere I can find a coach and chassis schematic that actually shows me where all the components are? I'd like to know where air tanks, air compressor, this, and that are actually located.. Thanks y'all, and I look forward to getting back into my MH after nearly two years

denlock · 02-14-2016, 06:15 AM

Bruce C · 02-14-2016, 06:37 AM

Sounds like a starter solenoid may be bad or a bad spot on the starter itself. My bet is solenoid though. Two people and a 12volt meter would help locating where you do and don't have voltage. Let us know how you do on locating the issue. Good luck.

Bear1951 · 02-14-2016, 11:31 AM

Hello and welcome to the forum from South Central Kentucky.

BEAR

MSHappyCampers · 02-14-2016, 12:17 PM

Hi Brent! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

dragracer32 · 02-14-2016, 01:36 PM

Heading out into the cold right now with a renewed interest in finally finding the problem.. I'll keep y'all posted.. thanks for the "welcomes"..

**TonyDi** · 02-14-2016, 02:53 PM

Glad to have you here with us.

Sounds like the ignition switch.

Happy Trails!!

dragracer32 · 02-14-2016, 03:30 PM

This switch is killing me.. I can get bevel loose, but not off...it just spins. Put pin in hole beside key, felt spring giving, still nothing.. How do I get this thing apart?? Also, solenoid on front firewall is fine, so where is the actual "starter" solenoid? Is it on starter? If so, that's a nightmare, because I can barely even SEE the starter, much less GET to it.... any ideas? BTW, does everyone else's RV have nylon tie wraps holding the entire wiring harness together? In mine, it looks like they were scared to cut a single wire at the factory, so they took the extra length on each wire, covered it in blue wire loom, tie wrapped them all together, and then used it for insulation while "stuffing" it in every conceivable nook and cranny... Pretty crappy work at the HR factory, if you ask me...

dragracer32 · 02-14-2016, 05:18 PM

Gave up on switch for now and decided to go straight to starter. Removed rear bed and found a little better access, but still almost standing on my head.. I turned the key to "On" and used an old screwdriver to hit the two studs.. It sounds like it (the starter only) is turning over and spinning, but maybe the bendix is not kicking out. It just kind of freespins.. Is this a bad starter? This thing is huge, and even coming from the top, it ain't gonna be easy. .. One more little tidbit... back when it WAS cranking, every now and then it would crank, but my Allison pushbutton pad wouldn't light up. I'd have to recrank several times to get it to finally light.. Is this another problem trying to surface? I bought this RV from original owner. It has less than 70,000 miles, but I think he let it sit up too much and it's been a headache nearly since day one.. We've used it maybe 5 times in 5 years, because it's always been something.. Thanks everyone for any enlightenment on this RV.. BTW, it has the 300 hp Cummins w/allison push button tranny