Ignition Switch Issues?

[Piper911]

I have a 2011 Phaeton 40 QBH and have been experiencing an unsettling issue when starting the coach. 75% of the time the coach will not start (nor turn over) when I turn the key to start. All accessories are working with the key on, the slides operate, the leveling system operates, etc. But when I go to turn the engine on nothing happens. No click no nothing. If I release the key back to accessory position all accessories are still working. If I again turn the key to turn the engine on nothing again. I have to take the key all the way back to off and the turn to start to get the engine to turn over and start.

It doesn't seem like a starter solenoid to me. I think that because I have to go all the way back to off is a telling aspect... just don't know what that would be. Does the ignition switch have some kind of mechanical design that might account for this behavior?

Traveling with this condition is a bit nerving as I don't know if this may become a permanent "won't start" issue.

Thanks for any insight.

Rick and Vicki

[153stars]

I can tell as owner of IO boat ,jetskis and MH with starter pilot solenoids and helping others with no start.. Intermittent start with a motor that has one first thing I suspect and too cheap not to swap.
Helper with meter or test light will tell for sure.

[House Husband]

I was presented with an issue like yours on a 12 year old coach. I found that the wires feeding the starter solenoid were loose. All that copper and brass will crush over the years. I costs nothing to see if those wires are loose.

Richard

[Skip426]

Many components involved in the starter circuit, important to have info from the chassis manufacturer as to how many and how they function in the start (crank) mode.

My Freightliner chassis, has the ignition switch a starter relay (that won't allow the starter to engage if trans isn't in neutral) and the starter solenoid (on the starter) that powers the armature and moves the Bendix drive to engage the ring gear and turn the engine over.
Other chassis also use a " lock out relay " to prevent starter engagement if the engine is running.
Any of these components (switch, relay, solenoid) can be the issue. You have to know what your coach has, where they are, in order to run tests while the condition is occurring.