2001 Dynasty Chancellor w/ VIP Smart Wheel - NO HEADLIGHTS OR CLIP LIGHTS

[Pushinacoach]

Noticed yesterday that I did not have headlights or clip lights. Looked in the fuse box and saw there were some burnt wires on the Smart Wheel Master Controller. Tried to pull the clip out of the socket and the socket came lose from the circuit board. Anyone else experience this problem or have any advise?

[lbaldwin]

ended up having to replace the connector and the smart wheel box. about $500 parts and labor - tech expended 3-5 hrs time thinking it was 'everything else'. If you look you can find instructions for testing the smart wheel box to confirm that is the issue. Good Luck.

[RCLImperial]

I too had a problem with that connector. It first showed up as no clearance lights. Fixed that problem by resetting that connector. It then showed up a couple of years later when I suddenly lost my headlights on a cross country trip. When I got home I checked the headlight connector and found that it was burnt. I could get it to work, but realized that it was marginally capable of handling the headlight current. Someday I'll replace thar connector, but as a temporary fix I installed a set of relays which switch the headlight current from a voltage source that is capable of supplying it without significant voltage drop. The net effect is that the headlights will be brighter and the connector on the Smartwheel connector is reduced from tens of amps to milliamperes. So far, it has held up, and I haven't needed to change that connector, maybe someday....

Te use of relays is well known, primarily to increase the brightness of the headlights. Most coaches have inadequate wiring for the headlights and the voltage at the bulbs is significantly below the source voltage. I did this on my last coach as well and got mucg brighter headlights. Do a Google search on "relays to increase headlight brightness" and you will find a wealth if information.

Dick L. 04 HR imperial