96 Fleetwood Bounder won't start after sitting for 2 weeks

[GypsyAndWe]

Hi, I'm new here.

I have a 96 bounder 36 (Ford) with 30,000 miles on her. We just drover her across the country.

After sitting for 2 weeks she won't start.

Voltmeter says battery and connections are 12.75.

We had her hooked up to shore power.

She doesn't turn over - when I turn the key, I just get a "CLICK."

I checked the fuses in the BCC and distributor - they all seem fine.

I noticed the Automatic Charging and Aux Start Relay got very hot while charging, so I'm replacing that and the Chassis Battery Disconnect.

I also banged on the starter a little with a hammer. It looks okay.

What else could it be?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

[Jim_HiTek]

The dash lights...do they dim when you try to start?

[Russ Silber]

Originally Posted by Jim_HiTek

The dash lights...do they dim when you try to start?

Try jumping direst to starter with key in run position.. If starter turns it is something in front of starter. Might be key or neutral switch. I put a push to start button in to avoid all of fords pre start crap.[emoji6]

[Podivin]

The first thing I'd check is the ground coming off the start battery. Remove and clean both ends of the cable, then hook it back up. What does that do for it?

[GypsyAndWe]

@ Jim - yes. Also - the wipers and lights don't work. The turn signal, radio and dash lights do work.

@ Russ - how do I do that?

@ Podivin I cleaned off the battery end - I will clean the ground end and check back.

Thank you all.

[jpstakun]

If your battery is 5 years old or more, you may want to replace it. Even though it's voltage seems normal, under load it may just crash. I had one just like it. After driving from CT to FL, it wouldn't re-start when I got to my destination.

[GypsyAndWe]

The battery is a 2018 :/

[Russ Silber]

Originally Posted by GypsyAndWe

The battery is a 2018 :/

Run a larger wire from positive terminal abived touch it to positive terminal on solenoid. If it turbs over solenoid is good. If not touch to positive terminal on starter. If no turn probably need new starter. Good luck

[Soppy]

Connect your voltmeter to the battery and have someone try to start the motorhome. If the battery voltage drops to less than 10 volts , recharge or replace the battery.

[MNYMAN]

Originally Posted by Russ Silber

Try jumping direst to starter with key in run position.. If starter turns it is something in front of starter. Might be key or neutral switch. I put a push to start button in to avoid all of fords pre start crap.[emoji6]

[code2e]

Have you tried starting in neutral? There is a transmission range switch on the driver side, under the shift lever on the transmission. It incorporates a neutral safety switch that only allows cranking in park or neutral. Switch is adjustable and may be not detecting park.

Be sure to set parking brake and hold foot on brakes while trying to start in neutral.

[House Husband]

Just so you know. When you turn the key to start, the electrical energy goes to a starter relay, located in the dog house. Left side, almost to the radiator. The relay then sends electricity to the starter solenoid, located on the starter. That clicking you are hearing is the starter relay. It may have failed.

Richard

[Country Road]

If the battery is 5 years old, replace it. At least take it to an auto parts store and get it load tested.

Batteries are made different these days. Unlike the batteries of yesteryear that would give you a weak battery warning, batteries today go bad in the blink of an eye.

[Jim_HiTek]

The original post was in Aug. of 2019. Pretty sure they found a solution.