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RdKngJcky1 · 01-22-2020, 07:10 AM

Good day. 2000 Tradewinds 7370 with 300 HP CAT on a Freightliner chassis. Driving at 65 MPH at night when suddenly all the idiot lights flash a couple times and everything went black.....no lights, no engine, nothing!! Coasted to the side of the highway. Started it and same thing happened within 2-3 seconds - flashing idiot lights and dead. Waited 5 minutes and restarted - sat at idle for about 5 minutes - running fine. It's been running fine ever since now for 5 days. Noticed the dash heater stopped around the same time. Had a truck mechanic in Modesto diagnose it and he said everything checked ok except he found a large 20 amp fuse with internal corrosion inside the plastic. He said he pulled it and the engine stopped. Wasn't sure that was actually the problem though. He also said the heater motor was drawing too much amperage and blowing the fuse so suggested replacing the motor & resistor. I don't want to be running down I-215 off the Tehachapis and have the rig go dead again so I need some help. Anyone have similar incident? Any ideas?

Unplanned Tourist · 01-22-2020, 07:23 AM

First thing that comes to my mind is to stop driving at night.

Sounds like maybe you have either a power supply wire to your dash/ignition system loose or shorting to ground.

Fire it up and give all the wires you can reach a good pull and shake.

Happy Glamping.

Ranger Smith · 01-22-2020, 08:30 AM

That happened to me once. Turned out to be a loose connection on the batteries. Tightened down and all OK. Happened in a 1 lane construction zone on I-91 in Vermont. Took me about 3 minutes to diagnose as I had no power what so ever.Did a temp fix till we got off highway

JNSNWT · 01-23-2020, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger Smith

. Turned out to be a loose connection on the batteries.

On a gasoline car engine once it’s running you can pull the battery completely out and it will continue running off the alternator.

Are diesel RV’s different? They must have batteries to continue running?

RdKngJcky1 · 01-23-2020, 08:20 AM

Not entirely sure but it seems that is the case. Thanks for the question - hopefully someone who knows for sure answers.

Ranger Smith · 01-23-2020, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNSNWT

On a gasoline car engine once it’s running you can pull the battery completely out and it will continue running off the alternator.

Are diesel RV’s different? They must have batteries to continue running?

That happened to us when we had our Itasca Suncruiser. Normally disconnecting battery when running it will stay running but not with that RV on the workhorse chassis

Cat320 · 01-23-2020, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger Smith

...That happened to me once. Turned out to be a loose connection on the batteries. Tightened down and all OK....

Same here with a 2500 Dodge gasser and a slide in camper.

txcpl · 01-24-2020, 04:15 AM

To me the key info here is what the mechanic said...corrosion. If you have the skills, spend lots of time checking and cleaning all connections and grounds. Also replacing the fuse and fuse holder(if possible) might be in order.
Keep us posted.

dwkerch · 01-30-2020, 09:12 AM

Had a similar issue with our 1999 Monaco Diplomat with 5.9 Cummins and Allison tranny. Hit a rough spot in the road and lights flashed, tranny went to neutral, and engine idled. Shut engine down, restart, and ran good until next rough spot. Ultimately found a poor battery cable connection, just bad enough that a "jolt" would instantaneously cause the tranny computer to shut down, but still a good enough connection to allow a restart. Cleaned the battery cable connection and drove another 60,000 miles with no more problems.

RdKngJcky1 · 01-31-2020, 07:09 AM

In the shop now getting everything possible checked.

imnprsd · 02-27-2020, 10:20 PM

This a similiar problem happened to me when I had a 2001 National Tradewinds, 330HP CAT, and the fix was:

A) To check your Water In Fuel (WIF) sensor... and then I changed the ECM programming so the engine would not go into "limp mode" when WIF detected a problem. (Note: I never found any water in my fuel, but on occasion I would get a "soft fault code" that would clear itself when I turned off the engine and then started the engine.

Note: This "glitch" caused the engine to "buck" for a moment, but it still had power. Only the lights on the Freightliner warning panel would flicker.. and then work properly after I pulled over and cycled the key off... and then restart.

B) I replaced the TPS sensor under the throttle foot pedal.

And when this switch goes bad, but first it's intermittent... You will loose power. Pull over. And often can re-start your engine and drive normally after that. ... But it's very annoying because if it happens when you are at a stop lights, you could be stuck; and dangerous if you are at high speed because your engine may not be able to run higher than idle.

The TPS is easy to replace and a good idea for any coach over 40,000 miles.
How many miles do you have on your coach?

Good luck!