Community Forums

Ljwt330 · 07-10-2020, 03:18 PM

Posting for my neighbor who has an identical coach.

He went to start his coach and there were no dash lights. Period. No sequence of system checks appeared. The coach, however, starts and runs and the transmission panel is functioning. No gauges work, including the tach and fuel gauge. Turn signal lights do function with the blinker or turn stalk.

What's been checked:

Both Vancos are lit with no error codes.
He has a BlueFire module plugged into his front data port. It is failing to report any data though it is showing to be "connected" (which I take to mean connected to his bluetooth device.)
He moved the BlueFire to the rear data port with the same results.

I'm suspecting a fault of some type between the ECM and the the rest of the systems.

Anyone have a similar experience, regardless of having a Vansco system or not?

I'm puzzled that there could be no data going to the dash or data ports yet the coach will start, run, and drive.

Any suggestions will be passe on to him and truly appreciated.

c_oneil · 07-10-2020, 03:50 PM

What happened to the coach since it was working correctly? Has it been sitting or worked on? Is the Bluefire new?

Ljwt330 · 07-10-2020, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c_oneil

What happened to the coach since it was working correctly? Has it been sitting or worked on? Is the Bluefire new?

Nothing new happened to the coach since last use, and the Bluefire has been installed and used for months.

Update:

He contacted Engineer Mike, and to make a long story short, the main focus is on the VDM since that is what "translates" all engine data into a usable form for the gauges and dash.

RVPioneer · 07-10-2020, 04:40 PM

I need a acronym refresher course. Can you spell out VDM please?

c_oneil · 07-10-2020, 04:44 PM

I think it is VDC or vehicle data computer. ‘04 was somewhat of a transition year that used Vansco but not the Actia gages yet. Sounds like the right guy for the job is on it though.

pduggs · 07-10-2020, 06:35 PM

Check batteries. Could be bad batteries. Dead cell maybe.

Ljwt330 · 07-10-2020, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

I need a acronym refresher course. Can you spell out VDM please?

Quote:

Originally Posted by c_oneil

I think it is VDC or vehicle data computer. ‘04 was somewhat of a transition year that used Vansco but not the Actia gages yet. Sounds like the right guy for the job is on it though.

I’m relaying the information I heard, and it could be VDC, as mentioned, or VDM for Vehicle Data Module?

Both our coaches are 2004, both have Vansco, both have Actia gauges, and both have a data translator module, whatever its correct name may be. Yes, Mike is the man for the job

Is the VDC on a 2004 located on the engine side of the left bulkhead of battery compartment? If so, what is the black box on the right side bulkhead, next to the Vansco?

Fun Bus · 07-10-2020, 07:48 PM

I have experienced many dead dash situations. No gauges,wipers,overhead fans ,etc. I think I have a bad relay, because if I repeatedly turn the ignition key on and off , it will come back alive. Once I had to slam the front door to get it to come alive, but only once. There are many relays in the fuse blocks. I have replaced the small ones but have not sourced the big ones yet. I haven't solved the problem yet but it occurs less frequently now. Good luck

Ljwt330 · 07-11-2020, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fun Bus

I have experienced many dead dash situations. No gauges,wipers,overhead fans ,etc. I think I have a bad relay, because if I repeatedly turn the ignition key on and off , it will come back alive. Once I had to slam the front door to get it to come alive, but only once. There are many relays in the fuse blocks. I have replaced the small ones but have not sourced the big ones yet. I haven't solved the problem yet but it occurs less frequently now. Good luck

Thanks. The problem only involves the dash warning panel and gauges. All other chassis items like wipers, fans, etc. are working.

Mjw2347 · 07-11-2020, 04:03 PM

Larry et al, thank you for reaching out to the forum participants and for all of the helpful comments. Update — spoke to Engineer Mike and followed his instructions to the tee and the dash light bar is now working. I took his sage advice and before ripping things apart did an extensive cleaning (used an entire can of electrical contact cleaner and air dried everything) and checked/rechecked the connections of all of the plugs in the battery bay. I also cleaned and tightened each of the battery connections and the good news is that everything is now working perfectly. I may have a loose connection somewhere in or around the VDC box/VANSCO but for now I’m leaving well enough alone. IT’S awake and WORKING! Thanks again!

EngineerMike · 07-11-2020, 04:40 PM

Max reported grungy conditions on the VDC from an HWH leak on the synchro cylinder above the rear VMM (and hydraulic line hovering over the VDC which is inboard of rear VMM on same bulkhead as VMM).
These connectors have a spongy mini-waffle pattern seal on the wire side of connector typically called weather-pack type connectors in the chassis wiring industry. The wires poke thru the spongy seal and have a crimped pin on the inside of the connector. If you leak enough oil on these connectors (VMM or VDC) you can get a mini leak-thru to the business end inside the connector and create a constant low amp connection between pins. The only way to clean these is to inundate BOTH sides of the connector with contact cleaner multiple times, wire side & pin side. I hold the connector up & spray cleaner down in till its full, then shake it out & blow it dry w/compressed air (one of those computer dust blower spray cans works fine and you should always have one on board). Then turn connector pins-down & spray cleaner down into the wire side till its running out, blow dry. Repeat 3X total on both sides. One fella did this once, still had his electrical problem and was going to head into a service outfit, but I told him repeat 2 more times just for fun, and he cured his headache.

Noblesville · 08-23-2020, 10:04 AM

having very similar issues in my 2000 36FDS - Can you clarify where these items are located? Im brand new and learning the acronyms still.

Alpine36 · 08-23-2020, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noblesville

having very similar issues in my 2000 36FDS - Can you clarify where these items are located? Im brand new and learning the acronyms still.

Our 2000 models do not utilize the Vansco modules or VDC, or any type of multiplexing for the dash gauges.
First place to check is the fuse panel area by the entry steps.
Ours had a loose ground stud connection causing all sorts of trouble with the dash, specifically the tachometer and cruise control.

Brianna · 08-28-2020, 04:52 PM

I had a no-dash-lights issue when I picked up my alpine and drove it away.
Didn't find out until it was dark and I was over 3 hours from dealer.
I checked all the fuses and they were good.
There are three plugs that go into the back of the dash light controls. Turned out one of the connectors in one of the plugs was bent out of the way. I guess someone has dismantled it for some reason and jammed it back together in a hurry.
The shroud around my steering column is missing some screws as well...so I figure someone was really digging around under the dash before I bought it.