Community Forums

inlineskater · 06-21-2021, 09:07 PM

When I start out in the morning and fire up the Motorhome, everything on the dash works. If I stop for fuel or lunch and shut off the engine then start up to go again, the radio/gps, windshield fans, mirror controls, usb port, and HVAC including the fan, AC, and Heat will not come on.

The next day everything works again in the morning, but, not if I stop along the way. I have checked the fuses, connectors in the compartment and in the dash, and spoke to Forest River. We are all stumped.

Any ideas would be great. I have an XCR Freightliner Chassis, 360HP 6.7L Cummins both 2019 chassis and coach.

Jim_HiTek · 06-21-2021, 09:42 PM

Sounds like a 'heat soak' issue to me. What happens is that while you're driving, you're getting a near constant flow of air over some component or connector. When you stop, the latent heat is stuck there around whatever is causing the problem and has to dissipate without help from road wind.

Does just sitting for an hour with the engine off help bring stuff back sooner? Two hours? Three? Or is it only overnight?

That's just a guess of course. You know your machine, does that sound plausible?

Of course, checking out the underside of the dash for a loose connection would be high on the testing list too.

Argosy · 06-22-2021, 04:34 AM

You need look at a schematic and follow all of those back to a common point. A failing self resetting breaker would be high on my list.

Randy125 · 06-22-2021, 07:12 AM

I would look for a relay that might not be latching.

Skip426 · 06-22-2021, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy125

I would look for a relay that might not be latching.

Talk to Forest River, again and ask if they install auxiliary ignition relay (and/ or circuit breaker) to power their equipment .
If they do you need to know where, and what it looks like.
Then ask where the power comes from to activate the relay; you know it's from the ignition switch , but where they tied in to the Freightliner wiring .
Sounds like all the Freightliner wiring is working , just issues with the coach builder's installed items.

inlineskater · 06-22-2021, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim_HiTek

Sounds like a 'heat soak' issue to me. What happens is that while you're driving, you're getting a near constant flow of air over some component or connector. When you stop, the latent heat is stuck there around whatever is causing the problem and has to dissipate without help from road wind.

Does just sitting for an hour with the engine off help bring stuff back sooner? Two hours? Three? Or is it only overnight?

That's just a guess of course. You know your machine, does that sound plausible?

Of course, checking out the underside of the dash for a loose connection would be high on the testing list too.

Usually takes over night, thanks for your info

inlineskater · 06-22-2021, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy125

I would look for a relay that might not be latching.

I spoke to Forest River and the electrical engineer said there is no relay on those items. He said get a tech out to look at it.

wolfe10 · 06-22-2021, 10:55 AM

Sorry, I would find it very hard to believe that you don't have an IGNITION SOLENOID that is controlled by the ignition switch.

If you don't have one, all those loads, including the high amp ones would have to be powered through the ignition switch itself. That would quickly burn it out.

Find the ignition solenoid and test it the next time this happens:

One large lug will have chassis battery voltage all the time. If you have been on the road, it should read above 12.7 VDC.

The other large lug should have exactly the same voltage with the ignition is ON.

Let us know what you find.

Skip426 · 06-23-2021, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inlineskater

I spoke to Forest River and the electrical engineer said there is no relay on those items. He said get a tech out to look at it.

Ignition relay /solenoid ; as Brett says all the added loads would easily overload the ignition switch and if it was shutting down the engine and Freightliner gauge functions would quit too .
Have you found the fuse panel for all the Forest River dash functions that quit when hot ?
Are those fuses in a box , marked BCC ( Battery Control Center )?

Can you post pictures of any fuse panel you find for the Forest River items ?