Low Battery Auto Idle dash message

[newmarpusher]

I got a call from the service center this morning.

The AC compressor seized up and took out the belt and tensioner.

[newmarpusher]

Originally Posted by Skip426

I had a somewhat similar issue , my dash A/C compressor ( actually the magnetic clutch bearing seized )after a hour long stop at a ferry dock, the serpentine belt started to slip , and alt warning light came on intermittently .... until the belt overheated and broke , luckily my old Cat has a separate belt for the water pump, and I didn't overheat.

By idling up the engine computer is trying to get the alternator, back into normal operating voltage range.
Best guess is that something when wrong during the 15 minute cool down , only good news is ; at least you're at home . Checking the serpentine belt is the first thing to do.

This looks to be exactly what happened to my unit. Oddly, the belt still "looked" like it was still there peering in from the bottom and sides around the radiator but...

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by newmarpusher

This looks to be exactly what happened to my unit. Oddly, the belt still "looked" like it was still there peering in from the bottom and sides around the radiator but...

I'll bet if you get to see the compressor , it'll look just like this .

[newmarpusher]

Originally Posted by Skip426

I'll bet if you get to see the compressor , it'll look just like this .

Seems like a design flaw that a bad AC compressor can take down the whole engine.

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by newmarpusher

Seems like a design flaw that a bad AC compressor can take down the whole engine.

Any one of a number of problems that can damage the serpentine belt will give the same issue.
Lack of room for multiple belt systems , as in automotive years ago , was the driving force towards the single serpentine belt . Even Caterpillar engines , eventually went single belt just before they stopped , on highway production.
With the older multi belt systems , sometimes 4 on an engine, if one belt shredded , that usually destroyed the rest so not much difference; only advantage was the ability to leave a belt off the seized component and drive ... unless of course the seizure was the power steering pump.

[newmarpusher]

Originally Posted by Skip426

Any one of a number of problems that can damage the serpentine belt will give the same issue.
Lack of room for multiple belt systems , as in automotive years ago , was the driving force towards the single serpentine belt . Even Caterpillar engines , eventually went single belt just before they stopped , on highway production.
With the older multi belt systems , sometimes 4 on an engine, if one belt shredded , that usually destroyed the rest so not much difference; only advantage was the ability to leave a belt off the seized component and drive ... unless of course the seizure was the power steering pump.

Well, it's only taking money to get it back going. At least it happened while I was home/local.

40+ years of RVing, 14 years in some sort of powered unit and this is my first breakdown. Keeping relatively new units, well maintained has spared me I suppose.

I learned one important lesson. I've got to investigate a better roadside assistance plan that is geared towards heavy diesel pushers. AAA Rv+ is NOT the answer. They left me hanging and just said, send us the tow bill when you figure it out.

[twinboat]

I hope the guy at the dealer, who told you " Its the batteries " then " Its the alternator " and to drive it to the shop, isn't fixing it.

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by newmarpusher

I learned one important lesson. I've got to investigate a better roadside assistance plan that is geared towards heavy diesel pushers. AAA Rv+ is NOT the answer. They left me hanging and just said, send us the tow bill when you figure it out.

Well , although my tow experience with Good Sam , wasn't perfect ( lost air compressor / hydraulic pump drive on I-5 OR. ) They didn't abandon me , all local ( within 20 miles ) heavy tow trucks were involved up-righting a dual tow dump truck on an off ramp . Good Sam found the closest heavy tow truck 80 miles away , for a three mile tow to a Walmart lot , being Sunday they couldn't confirm the closest F/L dealer did Motor homes. They found a mobile mechanic ( day two ) , who confirmed my thoughts that a tow to the shop was required, and sent one of the local trucks for the tow to F/L, 8 miles( day three). Coach sat for 10 weeks , but that's not a Good Sam issue. My cost was the mobile mechanic , travel and time on site. Tow driver for the first tow said his bill to Good Sam would be $1,250 . Local driver wasn't sure, what his company would be charging. Good Sam was following up; by phone; every hour/half to see about truck's arrival, for the first tow ( I was roadside for 5 1/2 hours). Needless to say , when I got a re-newel statement from Good Sam ( 3 years $175 if memory serves ) I wrote the check.

[newmarpusher]

Originally Posted by twinboat

I hope the guy at the dealer, who told you " Its the batteries " then " Its the alternator " and to drive it to the shop, isn't fixing it.

That was NOT the dealer who told me that. It was the official Freightliner roadside service number pasted on my windshield.

[vettenuts]

Curious how many miles you have on the coach when the compressor went. I have a 2015 chassis as well.

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by vettenuts

Curious how many miles you have on the coach when the compressor went. I have a 2015 chassis as well.

About all you can do is check the bearing , remove the serpentine belt and spin the belt section of the compressor drive ; listening for noise.

With the auto tensioner on the belt, the bearings, A/C, alt, water pump , are under constant load even with the engine off , I've considered removing my serpentine belt during long periods when the coach is parked ; but only because it's a 2 min job on my coach .... then I'd probably forget to put it back on.

My compressor failure was approx 75,000 miles in the coaches 18th year; 8th year that I'd been the owner; from some of the remaining decal on the compressor , a PO may have had it replaced too.

[vettenuts]

Originally Posted by Skip426

About all you can do is check the bearing , remove the serpentine belt and spin the belt section of the compressor drive ; listening for noise.

With the auto tensioner on the belt, the bearings, A/C, alt, water pump , are under constant load even with the engine off , I've considered removing my serpentine belt during long periods when the coach is parked ; but only because it's a 2 min job on my coach .... then I'd probably forget to put it back on.

My compressor failure was approx 75,000 miles in the coaches 18th year; 8th year that I'd been the owner; from some of the remaining decal on the compressor , a PO may have had it replaced too.

I wish my belt was that easy. I watched them replace it recently at Cummins. They had the coach on the lift and were trying to avoid going in over the bed. He had to remove the air filter and air filter brackets and then he and another smaller tech were able to get the wiring to the rear fan removed so they could replace the belt. Not an easy task to say the least. I am thinking that next year while I am in Florida I will go back for some other work and have them check the compressor. The actual A/C itself is pretty well useless.

[RichKimball]

Originally Posted by newmarpusher

Seems like a design flaw that a bad AC compressor can take down the whole engine.

[newmarpusher]

Originally Posted by vettenuts

Curious how many miles you have on the coach when the compressor went. I have a 2015 chassis as well.

VERY little. It's only been a weekend and vacation rig since I'm still working. 19,000 miles.