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dubbyjig · 10-11-2021, 10:44 PM

I've been looking for the solenoid for the ignition switch but haven't located it.

Does anyone happen to know where it is on a 99 Diplomat?

Thanks

153stars · 10-12-2021, 01:19 AM

My solenoid that powers all items part of ignition on or accessory are in front electrical bay. The chassis battery cable is fed from bottom left corner isolator.

jacwjames · 10-12-2021, 08:57 AM

What problems are you having???
I have 2 small electrical boxes in the front run bay, Monaco 1 & Monaco 2, both of these have either fuses or relays labeled Ignition.

Outbound · 10-12-2021, 10:51 AM

Ditto, mine is also in front electrical bay under drivers window, if I remember correctly it looks like the old ford starter solenoids.

Fffrank · 10-12-2021, 02:23 PM

I'm confused what part you're looking for? There's a series of solenoids (including the starter solenoid) located behind the plastic panel in the inverter bay -- but also relays located in the front electrical bay?

dubbyjig · 10-12-2021, 05:33 PM

Thanks all for the responses

153stars
I have ignition relays in the FRB in the Monaco 1 and Monaco 2 panels. They are the cube relays. I thought I was searching for an actual small round canister solenoid . Is this what you have?

Jacwjames
This is from another thread I started to get some ideas to where I should start looking
On the trip home after about 125 miles the coach shut itself off, no power. Luckily, I was on a straight road and was able to coast to a stop, blocking traffic. After 5 minutes or so power came back on it started again. Drove 50 miles and I shut it off and no power again but was able to get it going again. Another 35 miles and it shut itself off again. Was able to get to the shoulder out of the way this time. Arranged a tow from Coach Net. After about four hours power came back on and it started again and drove the last 80 miles home.
I bought some new relays and will install those, but I’m not sure if an actual solenoid is lurking about somewhere.

Outbound
I looked a could of times with no success, but I’ll look again.

Fffrank
Plastic panel in the inverter bay? I’ll have to look for that. I have never noticed a plastic panel back there.

Thanks again

jacwjames · 10-12-2021, 06:47 PM

When it dies do you loose power to the dash

On of the cheapest things you could try is to replace the ignition switch, they do fail. Could cause a intermittent problem.

dubbyjig · 10-12-2021, 09:13 PM

Yep, loose all power to the dash. When it does I can turn the ignition on and the camera will light up but the rest of the dash is dead. I did discover, as in it happen twice, if I leave the ignition in the on position for awhile it will power up again.

jacwjames · 10-13-2021, 08:33 AM

Sounds like a loose connection but strange that it power will come back after a short time without doing anything. I've checked my electrical panels and there are no circuit breakers on the chassis side that would cause this.

One thing you could check is the chassis battery disconnect. These do fail although it's usually good or bad but not intermittent.

As before, the ignition switch itself could cause an intermittent problem. Based on my wiring diagram it could result in loss of power on some systems while others still work. On mine the there are separate circuits for key Ign & Key Acc but then are both involved with starting function.

dubbyjig · 10-13-2021, 06:12 PM

Jim J

The ignition switch is a good idea and I think I will replace it as soon as I find the tool needed to take it out. It has three notches, and my guess is that you remove the cover with the notches and the ignition falls out the back. I may just take a screwdriver and tap it lightly with a hammer and see if it will rotate.

Just an update. I did find the solenoids. On my coach they are behind a plastic covering above the inverter in the back passenger side bay. Thanks to cpat_39 on Bill D’s Monacoers forum for providing pictures. Now it’s a matter of finding which one is the ignition solenoid.

jacwjames · 10-13-2021, 07:06 PM

I saw the post on the Monacoers. I have the same bank of circuit breakers and solenoids except mine are above the engine accesable via the bedroom hatch.

They are shown on my wiring diagram. Here's a copy, if it is blurry hit CTRL5 and it will clear right up

dubbyjig · 10-14-2021, 02:02 PM

Thanks!

That helps

Outbound · 10-14-2021, 08:53 PM

Have your DW turn the ignition key on and off and follow the clicking sound.

Jchemie · 10-20-2021, 06:35 PM

The ignition switch wears out, if it like the one in my coach it is a General Motors Delco type and prone to wear out. I can pull my key out in any position. Had two instances over my years of mechanic work where a customer would complain about his vehicle suddenly shutting off while moving. Turns out both had dozens of keys on the ring with the ignition key, the weight of them dangling wore out the switch.
If replacing the switch, disconnect the wiring harness from the back of it. Then look for a pin hole in the face near where the key goes in. Put the key in the key slot, then insert a straightened paper clip in the hole and push lightly. Should feel a bit of resistance, hold that in and turn the key counter-clockwise (CCW) and pull on the key. The lock will pull out. Now take a small screw driver or flat tipped punch and tap the ring in one of the slots CCW to unscrew it.
To reinstall you key set in new switch, skip the paper clip part. Some ignition switch sets include a whole new key and lock, might be worth the money just to get the whole set up.