Community Forums

Fillitup · 08-30-2006, 04:49 PM

Let me say to start that I am a real fan of Newmar. We researched and looked at a lot of coaches for well over a year and actually could have bought what we wanted to - within reason - and we chose Newmar. All you owners out there know why - the others - well maybe they will figure it out someday. We are happy.

BUT - ever once in a while I have to get under the dash around the steering wheel for something. The other day I had to trace out a fuse (NOT shown on the wiring diagram BTW). It was an in-line fuse holder spliced into the wire for the 12V access dash outlet. Very hard to find.

But I am amazed at the quality they build everywhere in the coach and then I get under the dash and the wiring looks like a pile of spagetti with very little or NO labeling. I forget it until I have to look under there again...I have done a fair job making the under-dash wiring presentable and easier to troubleshoot, but you can only do so much with what they gave me. Is it just my coach and who wired it under there or am I being a little too particular? If you look under your dash - is it the same way? I have even thought about getting a few terminal strips and taking a day and really doing a job on it - but I probably couldn't walk or move my head when I finished...

Fillitup · 08-30-2006, 04:49 PM

Let me say to start that I am a real fan of Newmar. We researched and looked at a lot of coaches for well over a year and actually could have bought what we wanted to - within reason - and we chose Newmar. All you owners out there know why - the others - well maybe they will figure it out someday. We are happy.

BUT - ever once in a while I have to get under the dash around the steering wheel for something. The other day I had to trace out a fuse (NOT shown on the wiring diagram BTW). It was an in-line fuse holder spliced into the wire for the 12V access dash outlet. Very hard to find.

But I am amazed at the quality they build everywhere in the coach and then I get under the dash and the wiring looks like a pile of spagetti with very little or NO labeling. I forget it until I have to look under there again...I have done a fair job making the under-dash wiring presentable and easier to troubleshoot, but you can only do so much with what they gave me. Is it just my coach and who wired it under there or am I being a little too particular? If you look under your dash - is it the same way? I have even thought about getting a few terminal strips and taking a day and really doing a job on it - but I probably couldn't walk or move my head when I finished...

"007" · 08-30-2006, 05:12 PM

Not sure what coach model your talking about because you have nothing posted in your signature profile block about your coach which you will find on second page of your profile.

As to wiring on my coach most of the wiring is tied up in harness's and has small print on wires to indicate what it is for. I need magnifine glass to see it but its there.
My two previous coachs had the same thing.

Oemtech · 08-30-2006, 06:54 PM

I am in the middle of a project(to be revealed at a later date) and it requires some under dash work. My opinion is - Organized Spaghetti

KenSherwin · 08-31-2006, 03:17 AM

I got under the dash to retrofit turn signals into the outside mirrors on my Dodge Dakota and it was just as messy as the underside of my Kountry Star. I've had to look under a lot of dashboard over the decades and you just don't find the neatness of an industrial machine under there.

"007" · 08-31-2006, 07:48 AM

Ken you may have the turn signal mid lights on your coach,DP, but for anyone else if you are interested there is a coil of wires right hand side ,drivers, extra left and right signal wires to convert those mid clearence lights to left and right turn signals also. The wires are printed to indicate which is which.

CharlieM · 08-31-2006, 08:14 AM

Ken,

I was (as you were) surprised to lift the access panel on the dash (to install CB) and find wires going every where. I have two extra fuse boxes that aren't labled and are also not in the wiring diagram for the coach. I arranged most in "flow" order and used wire ties to organize. I also was surprised at the amount of debris that was left from the manufacturing process (saw dust, dirt, pieces of wood etc). I have several other issues that are not common to Newmar products, but overall I am quite satisfied with my MH.

Charlie

park_ridge_dave · 08-31-2006, 10:56 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by CharlieM:
Ken,

I was (as you were) surprised to lift the access panel on the dash (to install CB) and find wires going every where. I have two extra fuse boxes that aren't labled and are also not in the wiring diagram for the coach. I arranged most in "flow" order and used wire ties to organize. I also was surprised at the amount of debris that was left from the manufacturing process (saw dust, dirt, pieces of wood etc). I have several other issues that are not common to Newmar products, but overall I am quite satisfied with my MH.

Charlie </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ditto

Just like most cars/trucks I've worked on too.

But so far everything works mostly OK and the CB wiring was where the guys here said it was (thank you irv2 guys)

KenSherwin · 08-31-2006, 11:43 AM

To clear up a confusion, I put the turn signal mirrors on my Dakota pickup truck. The poor KS has to suffer alond without. After all, if I fix it up too much, I can't get that Essex!

"007" · 08-31-2006, 11:58 AM

I know you did, just wanted anyone to know they could put in mid coach turn signals.

Good luck with that Essex.

Mahlon · 09-14-2006, 01:34 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by CharlieM:
Ken,

<snip> I arranged most in "flow" order and used wire ties to organize. I also was surprised at the amount of debris that was left from the manufacturing process (saw dust, dirt, pieces of wood etc). I have several other issues that are not common to Newmar products, but overall I am quite satisfied with my MH.
Charlie </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Same story here. The behind-the-dash area is the one place I don't want to go unless I have LOTS of time. Trouble is, I do need to go there to re-secure a few things (like the stereo aux input box) that are flopping about like a wounded bird. I'm absolutely terrified of pulling a crimp splice apart and not knowing about it.

Shortly after we bought the coach a blue crimp splice fell onto the driver's sidde floor. It had never been crimped. Everything still works (that I know of) so I am forced to assume that it was a "manufacturing spare".

There are FAR better connectors out there than these hideous crimp splices (like the GM Weatherpack connectors that the engine harness uses).

"007" · 09-17-2006, 05:55 PM

If you have electric seats don't disspare if your seat doesn't suddenlly move after turning it around as part of your living area seating. Just check your wiring connector for seat motor a battery lead may have poped out of connector pin. Push back in and use long needle point pliers to recrimp wire into pin socket.

The Aux input box should have a velcro strip on bottom to stick on shelf under dash board try industrial velcro if there's doesn't stick.