I have a '98 Fleetwood Discovery with a cummins engine. Lately when I go to start it, I'll turn the key and there's nothing. I'll turn the key back and forth two or three times and then it'll crank over and start right up. Is the starter going bad?
Thanks for advice
Michael Luberts
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I have a '98 Fleetwood Discovery with a cummins engine. Lately when I go to start it, I'll turn the key and there's nothing. I'll turn the key back and forth two or three times and then it'll crank over and start right up. Is the starter going bad?
Thanks for advice
Michael Luberts
Not sure about your coach but when we experienced a similar issue it ended up being the starter relay switch.
Next is the starter relay, it gets a signal from the key and connects wiring to the starter solenoid. They are often pretty well hidden between the batteries and engine iframe rail. rail.
On my Freightliner chassis , I've replace two starter relays for this same issue .
As mentioned in previous posts these are often hidden ; if your coach is on a Freightliner chassis , the relay on my XC chassis is mounted on a plate behind the passenger side rear dual wheels . Only visible while under the coach ( picture ) part description and cross reference in the pdf.
EDIT: On a re-read of you post , you say " turn the key and there's nothing " does that mean you get no dash warning lights ? or after the warning lights cycle and you go to crank the engine there is no cranking of the motor ?
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99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
Maybe check the ground straps. These can be easily overlooked. If your engine-to-frame and/or starter ground straps are dirty, just remove them and clean with degreaser. Clean the frame and strap contact points and mounting hardware with sandpaper until you get shiny metal. If they are corroded, fraying, or broken; go to NAPA and get replacements....but take the old ones with you to be sure the new ones will be the same size!
I'd check the ignition switch. They wire a lot to run through them, I'm amazed they last as long as they do.
If you have someone stand at the back they should be able to hear the click of the solenoids. Tell them as you turn the key so they know to listen.
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2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA." My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
I'm still working thru my starting problem. I've located the starting relay, I think.
I found a horizontal steel plate with a relay on top and another relay on the bottom. I figure one is the starting relay and the other is for the engine glow plugs. Which is which?
I appreciate all of your advice.
The picture I posted the relay is on the right .Red arrow .
Is your coach on a Freightliner chassis ?
Your Cummins engine doesn't have glow plugs , it uses a grid heater in the intake manifold to aide start up .
The relays for the grid heater are usually mounted on the intake manifold but Freightliner mounts a 12 volt circuit breaker on the plate to protect the cable from shorts/overload .
Can you post a picture of what you've found ?
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99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
Attached is picture of the relays I found and would like to know which one is starting relay on my 98 Fleetwood Discovery
thank you
I may have been wrong , when I said the relays for the grid heaters were on the engine .
The 12 volt circuit breakers and relays in your picture , agree with the wiring schematics I have for a 98 Freightliner chassis, as the C/Bs and relays for the grid heaters .
Although closer together than the schematic would lead one to believe.
The size of the cable , is heavier than the wire required for the starter relay .
The wire from the relay to the starter mounted solenoid will be this size ( red arrow ) so if you can track back from the starter , following this wire , you'll find the relay.
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99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
Linear Mode
