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02-13-2017, 07:11 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 5
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Why Fuse Removal Before Towing
I am going to do what the manufacture says. But I would like to know WHY do I have to pull the ECM and BATT1 fuses before I dingy down the road with my 2012 Buick Enclave behind my Class A motorhome ?
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02-13-2017, 07:21 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Lexington NC
Posts: 1,952
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I would guess that leaving the switch on so the steering doesn't lock keeps the ecm energized. GM either doesn't want the ecm energized continously or it will drain the battery in short order. Most every vehicle that is dingy towed has to have a fuse pulled or a battery cable removed to tow (except most Jeep and Ram vehicles). Many also require the transmission shifter be left in neutral which also requires the key left in the ignition.
Without removing the fuse I would guess your battery would be dead in a couple hours. Hope this helps.
Chad
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02-13-2017, 05:46 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Posts: 211
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Could be an issue with OnStar also. OnStar could sense the movement of the vehicle while not running and report it as stolen! Or, just mess with the system because it shouldn't see movement when the vehicle is off. My 2010 requires just one 50A fuse removed. (I installed a disconnect switch) If left on, the battery goes dead rather quickly.
__________________
Bob & Deb K.
2012 Itasca Ellipse QD 'Elli' 'COZY INN'
2018 GMC Acadia Denali 'Ginny'
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02-13-2017, 09:01 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Nine Mile Falls WA / Arizona City AZ
Posts: 1,066
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One of the thoughts I have is that with a low battery, that is low voltage, current flow increases using ohm's law... there are a lot of circuits on our modern vehicles that really don't like low voltage for extended amounts of time..
All the friends that I have who tow a dingy, all have a 12+ lead from the trailer connector to the vehicle battery to keep it charged up...
__________________
Retired Business Owner, Re-manufacturing HD Clutches, Brake Shoes, Air Compressors, Sales & Installation of PacBrake and other Industrial Friction
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02-14-2017, 08:33 AM
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#5
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,626
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Electronics in the vehicle that remains on with the key in the "accessory" position will drain the battery over several hours of towing.
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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02-14-2017, 08:52 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,328
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I believe Joe has it. It's just about battery drain. This can be remedied by connecting a charge line. The seven pin connector on the back of the coach has a 12 volt supply specificall for supplying 12 to the toad. If you use that you don't have to pull any fuses and your breaking system won't draw the tod battery down either.
__________________
Paul, Kathy, and Tux the Mini Schnauzer
2014 Tiffin Phaeton 42 LH, 2013 Honda CRV
"When the time comes to look back, make sure you'll like what you see"
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02-14-2017, 09:42 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 5
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Thanks
Thanks to you all for the responses. I have installed a separate 12v plug direct from battery to supply my aux brake. Hopefully that alone won't drain my battery.
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02-14-2017, 09:47 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 5
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Bertman how/where did you install your disconnect switch
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02-14-2017, 03:27 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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Leaving either fuse in place depletes the battery
ECM also counts the miles as you tow
__________________
Home is where I park it!
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02-15-2017, 11:51 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Posts: 211
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Bob Simpson:: I installed a 50A switch behind the grill which I can reach with my fingers thru the grill without opening the hood. Remove the 50A fuse from the fuse box under the hood. Using wire terminal ends divert the power thru a new 50a fuse holder and out to the switch. Returns from the switch and back into the fuse block. Simple install. Keep in mind though, mine is a 2010 Buick Enclave. Only the 50a fuse is required to be removed to tow. Other years are different. I believe 2012 and newer require three fuses to be removed. Some of the aftermarket sellers of RV accessories sell a switch kit. I thought these were a little expensive as my major expense was the switch which was about $7. BTW, I also ran 12v from the coach to the switch. When the switch is in the 'tow' position, the 12v is sent to the car battery to keep it charged. Have never had a problem with it. Good luck. If you need more info, message me. Bob
__________________
Bob & Deb K.
2012 Itasca Ellipse QD 'Elli' 'COZY INN'
2018 GMC Acadia Denali 'Ginny'
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05-20-2017, 11:51 AM
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#11
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Member
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 66
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2014 Buick Enclave - able to get tranny in Neutral and wheel unlocked
I am preparing to setup Enclave to flat tow. I found the fuses required. I was testing the methods and was able to get car in Neutral and the wheel unlocked with key off. It has to do with moving key in between positions to move to neutral and then turning to off. All power appears off (no dash lights, alarms, etc) and the wheel is unlocked and free to turn. Am I missing something or doing something that will cause a problem? Thnx
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05-20-2017, 03:54 PM
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#12
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,563
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Maybe, because the onboard computers are almost surely still active. Your vehicle has automatic traction control, meaning the computer is watching for wheel spin and adjusting power & braking. Might have electric power steering too, and it may record miles on the odometer. Also a strong chance of having a dead battery after a few hours of towing. The absence of visible lights on the dash doesn't mean much in modern cars.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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05-21-2017, 01:17 AM
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#13
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RV LIFE Support Team
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We went through this with our CRV, either remove the fuses or get a Fusemaster so you just need to flip a switch.
__________________
Sue
2015 Winnebago Vista 36Y + Honda CRV
RV LIFE Support Team
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05-21-2017, 08:18 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Houston TX.
Posts: 2,349
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I towed a CRV for two years without pulling the fuse like they said. No problems. I use a light bar and brake buddy both plugged into cig lighter. Battery will last for 15 hours before it was dead. To prevent this from happening just drive car at the end of every tow day. No more problems.
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