Battery Light

[jdtraveler]

I have a 2002 fleetwood expedition my battery light comes on when i put the levelers down when the coach is running also when i start the engine the levelers automaticly retract any ideas what to look for

[mchero]

What batteries do the levelers run off of? Is your alternator charging the house batteries?

[jdtraveler]

I am not sure just got it. I cleaned the terminals and tested both coach and house batteries and they test fine.

[Gary RVRoamer]

What "battery light" are we talking about? Dash board (for the chassis battery) or some light on the house power panel or battery gauge?


Many coaches will auto-retract the jacks if put in gear with engine running - a safety feature to avoid driving off with jacks down. Should not do that is the tranny is in Park, though. Could be the wire for the safety interlock is connected wrong? Hard to know if a previous owner or shop tech tinkered with something.

[jdtraveler]

it is the dash board battery light. It comes on when I start to put the levelers down but goes off when i let go of the button.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The dash light is connected to the chassis (engine) 12v system, so reflects that battery. Basically it comes on when current (amps) are flowing out of the battery rather than in, which would be normal if the engine is off (no alternator charging) and a device (the jack pump) is drawing power. With the engine running, the alternator should be supplying enough amps to stay abreast of the jack load, so I'm thinking your alternator may be weak. A failed diode in the alternator would do that (the amp output is substantially reduced). You might want to have the alternator tested (most any auto shop can do that).


For an at-home check, start the engine and turn on the headlights, which puts a substantial load on the 12v system. If the dash battery/amp light comes on, you almost surely have a failing alternator.

[jdtraveler]

thank you i appreciate the info and help

[Dutch Star Don]

You could also have your engine idle speed set too low. It should be around 700 rpm while idling. If your coach has a Smart Wheel, the idle can accidently be lowered, via the Smart Wheel, when someone attempts to turn on the Smart Wheel fast idle for warm up. Check your idle rpm the next time the coach is running.

If the idle is good, you'll have to look at the alternator output.