96 Southwind Starting Issue(s)

[mchero]

Was assisting fellow RV'er with a 1996 Southwind not starting.

First off, owner had chassis battery on charger overnight and when I arrived the chassis battery was at 11 volts! I suggested the owner purchase a NEW battery. I'm not familiar with the engine but I know it's in the 400 size so it needs a good, heavy duty battery.

Another issue was the negative terminal. Was NOT in good shape and also needs to be corrected.

When turning the key with brake pedal depressed I hear a solenoid in the doghouse clicking. Opening the doghouse and looking forward it's in the top left corner. Has the two posts and the smaller red wire connected to small post.
Using test light I have voltage on one side of one of the large posts. Put test light on smaller red wire and get voltage when I turn the key. DO NOT get any voltage passing thru that solenoid, 2nd large post not hot when energized.

Crawled under rig with same test light. Get voltage piercing battery cable to starter. Found the small red wire off the spade. I found the issue....NOT. Not getting ANY voltage on that small red wire when key is turned and that solenoid energized.

Thinking it could possibly be a safety switch I don't get the solenoid click when in any drive or reverse positions. Owner will need to be moving rig by end of December. I might be heading back to get the engine running and want to make sure I'm armed with proper parts.

work on my own chassis but it's a Freightliner. What chassis is under that Southwind and what size engine? Auto park? Cable from ebrake pedal working the parking brake behind the transmission tail housing.

Thanks All!

[House Husband]

That starter relay you found in the dog house is a known problem on those older Ford chassis. 1988-1997 have that relay in the dog house. The starter solenoid is on the starter. Change the relay. The terminology that I use for the two devices is exactly how Ford describes them in their wiring prints.


Richard

[mchero]

Originally Posted by House Husband

That starter relay you found in the dog house is a known problem on those older Ford chassis. 1988-1997 have that relay. Change it.

Richard

Have a part number for that starter relay,? Don't think the guys at Autozone will know what Im asking for. Guess starter relay for 97 Ford chassis?
How many posts on that relay? I see the two big posts and the smaller post but does it get its ground thru the base or is their another small post on the far side?

So that relay passes voltage to the starter solenoid. I shorted the two posts but herd no starter. Perhaps O need to correct the negative post as well. I assume that engine draws some amps when cranking.

Ford chassis but what size engine?

Thanks for you post.

[Randalpho]

Can you find the Chassis VIN number? It can be decoded as to the chassis manufacturer (GM, Ford) and the engine size. From there you can order parts just like a car or light/medium truck.

If it's a bad/miss adjusted neutral safety switch you can try shifting through the gears with your foot on the brake while holding the key in the crank position.

[Digger01]

My 97 has the ford 460 7.5 litre motor.

[mchero]

Thanks digger!

[Gary RVRoamer]

Years ago I had a '96 Southwind with the Ford 460 engine. It was a solid coach.


I think the chances are good that a new battery with a quality ground connection will solve both problems. That solenoid isn't going to close fully if the battery voltage isn't sufficient - that's what the clicking is all about.

[House Husband]

Originally Posted by mchero

Have a part number for that starter relay,? Don't think the guys at Autozone will know what Im asking for. Guess starter relay for 97 Ford chassis?
How many posts on that relay? I see the two big posts and the smaller post but does it get its ground thru the base or is their another small post on the far side?

So that relay passes voltage to the starter solenoid. I shorted the two posts but herd no starter. Perhaps O need to correct the negative post as well. I assume that engine draws some amps when cranking.

Ford chassis but what size engine?

Thanks for you post.

That starter relay has 4 posts, 2 small and 2 large. Your engine is a 460. Just ask for a starter relay for a F53 and your year. That relay has been in use since Ford went to a 12 volt system.
And again, that relay is a known issue on the F53 chassis. There have been many posts on the known RV forums about that relay. My 95 F53 relay failed about 6 years ago.

Richard