Ignition problem-stranded in Canada

[echo3]

I have stopped in Regina SK with an intermittant problem with engine
shutdown and Key/ignition failure sometimes when trying to start. Last week
in Calgary the engine stopped as I exited from Hwy, but restarted back
quickly. Yesterday, it did the same thing here and restarted, but now when I
turn the key on it might not light up and allow me to start. Two or three
trys and it connects and starts good, but I am afraid to get out of here
with this going on. I thought the chassis batt switch (rear bay) might be
bad,so I cut it off and on, which sometimes seems to make the ignition
connect, but I am getting a batt reading on both sides of the switch when it
is on and when off, no current flow, so that ruled out. Is there a ignition
solenoid somewhere that might be going bad, which powers up the circuit when
the ignition is turned on? If I can find that and replace myself, I am
likely to avoid a lot of grief waiting on the shop to do so. I do have an
appt in a couple of days with a Freightliner shop, but would like to do
myself and head on. If not likely solenoid, does this sound like the dash
ignition going bad? I tend to think a solenoid. Need some advise on where to
locate and do parts stores handle?
David White '05 Monaco Windsor

[lyledavid]

Echo3
If you have a wad or an unusual amount of keys on a key fob in the ignition switch it is a good bet the switch is worn out and needs to be replaced.
I have one key in the switch with a small plastic I.D tag attached. Ask me how I know how this happens? Two times in different vehicles over the years.
lyledavid

[mgscott4]

Disconnect your chassis battery through the disconnect switch. Learn (verify) everything that does not work.

The next time it happens, see if it is just the ignition that does not work or is it everything on the chassis battery that does not work.

If it is just the ignition that did not work ,you have narrowed it down to an ignition problem not a chassis battery system problem.

Does that make sense?

[mgscott4]

Also, search the "Monaco Owners Forum" section. This problem may have already been discussed.

[echo3]

At first, I did think the battery switch might be the problem, but found it to be ok and also found that other things work on the chassis batteries, except the iginition side. Could be the ignition switch or solenoid. I did get it into the shop today to trace out and it quit 3 times on the short trip, 2 km, but restarted up easily... one time I had to turn the key on and off a couple of times to re-energize the ignition. Found that the stalls primarily happen when I come to a stop or idle as if the drop in alternator voltage sets this off. I never had the problem running a hwy speed. I could keep my foot on the accel and other on brake to keep rpm up slightly and that seemed to stop the shutdown. David White

[echo3]

Update. Tech pulled fuses and chece wires engine codes (none). He then drove for more than 30 mins stop and go and never had a failure. He had no answer, but guess it must have been a bad contact on a fuse or wire, but have driven all afternoon and no problems. Hope it is solves, but think I will pull and clean all fuses now, which is something someone suggested on another post. A poor contact could cause intermittant failure, I guess. David White

[mgscott4]

If your cleaning fuses, I would also clean your ignition switch connector(s). Trace the wires coming off the Key switch.

[cj.mann]

Found your site while doing some research on a problem with our 2007 Fourwinds Hurricane class A. We noticed last week on our way to gas up that the chassis battery disconnect switch tripped when we shut down. We reengaged it and went on our way. On our way home we noticed the backup camera monitor kinda flickering & the abs light going on and off, the auto leveler lights also started flashing. It seemed to momentarily loose power while driving but automatically refired when we reved the rpm's. We made it home, put it in park & everything went off as the chassis battery disconnect switch tripped and killed the chassis power. It will not reset now and we can't start the engine with the switch tripped. Auxillary start won't work either. We have checked the chassis battery (13.4), checked the ground (all good), checked volts at the switch itself (13.4). We are thinking it might be an ignition relay switch in the (RV Custom Products) battery circuit fuse board in the engine compartment, or the celenoid behind the circuit fuse board. Anyone know anything about this? Appreciate any & all advice we can get.

[TRAILERKING]

Stranded in Regina...............Cool. That's where I live, it's not sooooo bad.
I'm sure Village RV is a Monaco dealer in Regina. Not sure if that's where you went.

[echo3]

Final on my problem! After the truck shop found nothing in Regina, I traveled nearly 1600 miles and the problem hit hard and all went off and I could not restart. I had to be towed to TAG Truck Repair in Memphis and they found a bad ignition relay... replaced and I'm back going... a $9 relay. By the way, to the resident of Regina, Village RV said "no thanks" to checking out my problem, which is why I went to a truck/chassis shop. Thanks, David White

[TRAILERKING]

Originally Posted by echo3

Final on my problem! After the truck shop found nothing in Regina, I traveled nearly 1600 miles and the problem hit hard and all went off and I could not restart. I had to be towed to TAG Truck Repair in Memphis and they found a bad ignition relay... replaced and I'm back going... a $9 relay. By the way, to the resident of Regina, Village RV said "no thanks" to checking out my problem, which is why I went to a truck/chassis shop. Thanks, David White

Yeah that sounds just like Village RV.......Not really good customer support. It's like anything I want to buy for my motorhome up here no one has it. They say we can order it. I say well good for you.........I can get it from down South myself, so thanks anyway.
Any way good to hear you finally got it figured out and fixed. Happy motoring.