Community Forums

Sealion · 08-16-2014, 09:58 AM

Hello,

I have a 2005 Monaco Esquire and I have no power in the front cab. When I turn the key to “on,” there is nothing – no lights, sounds, or indicator movement. The lights do not turn on, the door locks do not work, and the door step does not work.

However, if I use the generator crossover switch, it will start and runs fine. When I turn it off, all is dead again.

I have checked the one-year old chassis battery with a meter and it charges while the engine is running and holds the charge after shutting down. The house batteries are also a year old and are being charged/holding charge as they should.

I was going to check fuses, but when I open the door, after the MH had sat for two days, the door step worked. So I turned the engine on and the indicator lights flashed for a second and then all went dead. No lights, step stopped working and door locks did not work.

That tells me it is not a fuse problem and I am not sure where to look next. I want to test the chassis cut off switch, but am not sure how. I would really appreciate any ideas on where to look for this problem.

Thanks!

twinboat · 08-16-2014, 02:08 PM

Remove and clean the chassis battery cable terminals. Just because they look good, don't mean they are clean and tight.

BFlinn181 · 08-16-2014, 02:24 PM

When you say you "charge the chassis battery with the engine running, and after shutting it down, the battery holds a charge." That is probably a 'surface charge' and isn't a true indication of the battery's state of charge. Check water level in battery cells, then put it on a battery charger overnight. After unplugging the charger, let the battery sit a couple of hours and measure voltage. A fully charged battery should be at about 12.6 volts.

You stated it's not a fuse problem, but it could be a circuit breaker that automatically resets. Do you have a Chassis battery cut off switch? You stated you used the 'generator crossover switch' which I think you mean a battery boost switch on the dashboard that inner-connects house and chassis batteries while you hold it down, often called a boost switch.

You didn't identify the RV chassis maker, but I guess a Ford. Look under the hood for a plastic box that contains fuses ane solenoid relays for chassis functions.

Sealion · 08-17-2014, 05:02 PM

I do have a have chassis battery cut off switch. I have these same symptoms when it is turned off so I want test it, but I am not sure how. I will get a chance to work on the RV tomorrow.

Thanks for the feedback.

BFlinn181 · 08-17-2014, 05:12 PM

The solenoid probably looks like one of these:

The two large terminals are the ones being switched by the solenoid. If you remove the large wire from one post and put it together with the large wire on the other post you will bridge the solenoid and power will flow.

The smaller terminals provide the power and signal to energize the relay and make it switch on and off.

Sealion · 08-22-2014, 10:27 AM

Thanks for the help. You were right, Twinboat. The chassis connections looked good, but I cleaned them and all is well. I am grateful it was an easy fix!