Tailights/Running Lights Issue

[tokruys]

'05 Damon Daybreak lights quit on this past weekend trip. Still had headlights, brake lights and turnsignals but no tailights and running (marker) lights. Can't find a bad fuse. Even checked every one with a meter (in both the passenger compartment fuse box and the power distribution box). Then got under the dash and checked the connections to the switch...

The only other thing I thought of that I haven't checked is the ICC switch. Maybe I have an open circuit in it???

Any other ideas or experiences?

Thanks, tokruys (Tom K.)

[tokruys]

'05 Damon Daybreak lights quit on this past weekend trip. Still had headlights, brake lights and turnsignals but no tailights and running (marker) lights. Can't find a bad fuse. Even checked every one with a meter (in both the passenger compartment fuse box and the power distribution box). Then got under the dash and checked the connections to the switch...

The only other thing I thought of that I haven't checked is the ICC switch. Maybe I have an open circuit in it???

Any other ideas or experiences?

Thanks, tokruys (Tom K.)

[RV Wizard]

Tom, welcome to iRV2.com. We are glad to have you join us here and look forward to reading of your adventures and exxperiences. You might want to look for a bad ground. Usually I will just add a good ground to se if indeed that is what it needs. If easy enough to make permanant, I don't spend a lot of time trying to find where the bad ground broke down at. Good luck and have a great summer.

[J Walker]

I had a left stop light quit on my 2000 Damon Ultrasport DP and spent several hours trouble shooting it. Finally, I found a relay near the rear wheel which had a corroded wire connector. End of problem after applying Radio Shack contact cleaner and protecting the relay with a plastic baggey (left open on the bottom to allow it to dry). What I should have done in hindsight is to look at the wiring diagram first. I accidentally noticed the relay when I turned to hazard flashers on and heard it clicking. I don't know if the running lights are controlled by a relay or not. Damon might shed some light on this if you call them.

[tokruys]

It turns out that the problem is in the ICC switch. I bypassed it and I have lights...

Electrical problems can be the worst to diagnose. Thanks for the replys.

Tom K.

[tokruys]

Thought all was well until I ran with the lights on for awhile and had the electrical tape melt off of the connection for the jumper wire I had in place of the bad switch...

Now it seems that I have more of a problem that led to the switch going bad.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanx, Tom K.

[bingoldsby]

I have a couple of questions - might need to know this sometime.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Usually I will just add a good ground to see if indeed that is what it needs. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Where would you connect it?

and... what is ICC ??

Thanks,

[J Walker]

You have a partial short from the hot wire to ground somewhere. One way to tell is to remove the bulb and measure resistance. It won't be infinite since you have a partial short. You will have to look at all connections to see if there is a loose wire making contact with ground. This is where the coaches with single wire construction are nice. A single wire goes from the switch to the bulb, etc. There is nothing in between that can cause a problem and nothing hidden in a wall.

[Periscope Man]

Tom K., You may want to put an amp meter in series with the jumper to see how much current your are drawing. It must be within the limits of the fuse for the circuit or you would be blowing it out. You just might need a larger diameter jumper wire.

[Darrell & Mel]

Good question...what does ICC stand for?

[Mutha]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Darrell & Mel:
Good question...what does ICC stand for? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Interstate Commerce Commision = ICC
Truckers use a switch they call their "ICC SWITCH" to flash their running lights as a "THANK YOU" to another trucker they just passed (usually at night) who turned his headlights off momemtarily and then back on to let the driver of the truck passing him know that he is far enough passed to pull back over to the right lane safely.

Glenn

["007"]

Brian- K7ZRZ You can pick up a ground on your steering post or to chassis frame of coach.

Tom K check the switch for amp rating you will draw some amps with all the lights you have in light ckt. Could be its not high enough and the switch contacts are burning off.

[tokruys]

Thanks for all the posts. I'm in the process of searching it out an looking to find a replacement switch (it's a Carlingswitch V3D1 - they are now called Carling Technologies). Camping World does not carry them so I'm on the hunt. Maybe a truck parts distributor?

I'll keep you posted. In the mean time I will avoid having to run at night and hopefully don't get caught in the rain!!!

Tom K.

[Darrell & Mel]

Glenn,
Thanks for solving one of the great mysteries from the dash panel of my coach!