RV woes and upgrades wheels on the....go round and round

[valen76]

So I went to get some gas for the RV. Got in and tried to start it and nothing. It acted like the starter kill switch was off. So I got out and flipped to the other direction and tried again with the same result. So I checked:

the battery good
Every fuse I could find good.


So it seems like I am not getting power to the starter. So how do I check? Any suggestions? Anybody know a good moblie RV service here in good old Yuma? I hope to find a winter visitor/retired RV mech that can help me out at a low rate.

So my Thanksgiving trip to the dunes is now on hold.

[jhitesma]

Could be sand or corrosion on the switch. Is there a starter solenoid or relay? Have you crawled under and traced the wires yet?

Were you leaving now? Or just getting the RV ready? I'm actually riding my bike this week because the truck battery died and I haven't had time to get a new one yet. Otherwise I'd come take a look, no that it would likely do much good

Don't know who to call for short notice on site work.

[valen76]

I checked the switch and it was clean. Traced the wires back to the starter and it has a solenoid sitting right on top of it. It has started fine for years with no problems or signs of it dying. I don't want to go and buy a starter and that not be the problem because people don't like to take returns on starters. They test starters at kragen and autozone so maybe I can take it off and have them test it.

I am not leaving until next Wednesday. I wanted to fill it up with gas upgrade to a digital thermostat and exercise the genny. Now I don't know what to do.

[GoofyDuner]

does the starter crank..or is the power not cranking the starter motor...try turning on the key to run,and go under to the starter with a long screw driver,and arc between the posts to see if the starter will turn..if it does,the couch should start with the key on..

[valen76]

It acts like it is not getting any power. I am going to clean all the connections try it again and then pull it at lunch and take it to get tested.

[WoodIsGood]

So how do I check?

Sounds like it's time to get your volt meter out and trace where you are and are not getting power.

Does the starter solenoid click when you turn the key? There may be more than one solenoid so you need to find the right one. The one you need to listen for is the one for the starter - it should click closed when the key is turned to the start position. Even if it closes, the contacts may be bad so you need to check for 12 volts out - had to replace the one on my '92 last year.

[L&L Corvairs]

Before I pulled the starter, I'd by pass the kill switch. They can go bad too.

Also before pulling the starter, use a jumper wire to go directly from the battery to the solinoid on the starter. It will probably need to be a fairly long wire. That will show if there is an issue with the starter or solinoid.

Good luck and keep us posted. The more info, the easier it is to help you trouble shoot.




PS.....Electrical trouble shooting SUCKS.

[jhitesma]

Not leaving until wednesday. Well that gives us something to work with

If you want I can come by this weekend and help you debug, but I may ask for a hand changing the plugs/wires on my RV in exchange (need to get that done before T-day and it's a serious pain to do by myself since one end of each wire can only be reached from below and the other end from above.)

Try the troubleshooting mentioned above, if that fails you can always take the starter up to be tested...if it tests ok then it's time to start tracing wires.

[valen76]

Took the starter off and it tested out well at Kragens and Autozone. Now it is time to bypass the kill switch. We tried to jump it with a screw driver but had no luck, however it does have power to it. So that makes me think kill switch or somewhere in the ignition or a fuse I missed or my helper didnt jump it right. He insisted on doing it.

I can only help during the week, I go to Corona to see my wife and baby every weekend. Maybe Friday morning early or Thursday after college or today if I get my crap working.

[jhitesma]

I can only help during the week, I go to Corona to see my wife and baby every weekend. Maybe Friday morning early or Thursday after college or today if I get my crap working.

Hmmm, my weeks are pretty busy...Thursday I'll be getting a new battery in my truck and will be mobile again though. I may be able to make it over friday or monday to help out.

[Washroad]

He bypassed the kill switch and it started. =D> =D>

[valen76]

As washroad said I bypassed the kill switch and she started right up and purred like a kitten. I like the kill switch so I am going to put one back in. I also am upgrading to a digital thermostat to keep the temperature regulated better. I will keep you guys posted on a new thread with pics on how that goes down.

The dead switch.

[Woodglue]

I will keep you guys posted on a new thread with pics on how that goes down.

Ooorrr.........
You can change the title of this thread to something like Valen76's '95 Bounder Bus and post all of your stuff in it!
This way, you can let it grow into 10 pages of record keeping fun like that one quad thread!

Then in 3 years, if you ever wonder how old that Kill Switch or Digital Thermostat is, you just go to 'your' thread and look it up! =D>

[Mudkattgowfo]

I will keep you guys posted on a new thread with pics on how that goes down.

Ooorrr.........
You can change the title of this thread to something like Valen76's '95 Bounder Bus and post all of your stuff in it!
This way, you can let it grow into 10 pages of record keeping fun like that one quad thread!

Then in 3 years, if you ever wonder how old that Kill Switch or Digital Thermostat is, you just go to 'your' thread and look it up! =D>

You guys are Funny. I just wish there was a smilie eating popcorn that I could put here. I think Sloppy found one but it's not an option in the smilies group.

[valen76]

[You can change the title of this thread to something like Valen76's '95 Bounder Bus and post all of your stuff in it!
This way, you can let it grow into 10 pages of record keeping fun like that one quad thread!

Then in 3 years, if you ever wonder how old that Kill Switch or Digital Thermostat is, you just go to 'your' thread and look it up! =D>

OK...point well taken. 10 pages huh?

[Glamisbound]

I will keep you guys posted on a new thread with pics on how that goes down.

Ooorrr.........
You can change the title of this thread to something like Valen76's '95 Bounder Bus and post all of your stuff in it!
This way, you can let it grow into 10 pages of record keeping fun like that one quad thread!

Then in 3 years, if you ever wonder how old that Kill Switch or Digital Thermostat is, you just go to 'your' thread and look it up! =D>

You guys are Funny. I just wish there was a smilie eating popcorn that I could put here. I think Sloppy found one but it's not an option in the smilies group.

[valen76]

And it continues.......went to fire up the genny and well it didn't start. Sounded like it was not getting fuel so I pulled the fuel line and it was dry as a bone. Yep no fuel. I beat on the line in hopes that it would clear any obstructions and nothing. I didn't feel like sucking on the metal fuel line to try to get it going. I think I may try to get one of those brake bleeding tools to create some suction. So now I am going to have to eventually drop the tank and replace the fuel line. That is going to be fun. I think 25 feet of metal line I will have to bend and I have never done that before. I wonder can I use rubber fuel line, I hope so as it would be a lot easier to work with.

[GoofyDuner]

as with most motor homes,if you have only a 1/4 of a tank of gas.the gas wont get to the genni..you can try to blow in the gasline..that will get what ever is in there,or use an air tank...check your gas level first in the MH..

[valen76]

Its got plenty of gas and my wallet is less plenty of cash. Do you think 60 gallons will get it over the 1/4 mark?

So if I took off the gas tank lid I could apply some compressed air right to the fuel line and shoot out whatever obstruction is there?

[Washroad]

as with most motor homes,if you have only a 1/4 of a tank of gas.the gas wont get to the genni..you can try to blow in the gasline..that will get what ever is in there,or use an air tank...check your gas level first in the MH..

Had my genny not want to start on a trip...we were stopped for lunch...hmmmm....checked the fuel gauge....yep! less than 1/4 tank.

[GoofyDuner]

also check to see it you have a fuel pump on your genni...maybe the punp doesnt have power,check inline fuse or try to start genni at the genni..maybe its a bad switch...or bad fuel pump

[L&L Corvairs]

If the genny hasn't been run for awhile, I would not expect to see much gas in the line. It evaporates over time. SOMETIMES, if it's been a REALLY LONG time, (like 10+ months) it turns into varnish.

Rather then dropping the tank and/or replacing the fuel line.....

First, double check the fuel line back to the tank and make sure there isn't a fuel filter somewhere. There probably isn't, but you never know. If so, remove it/replace it and try again. Assuming the fuel filter is eliminated as a culpret...

Then take the gas cap off, get some high pressure air (60-80+PSI) and an air nozzle and back blow the fuel line. You should be able to tell if the air is going into the tank. As noted, the pick ups for the generators are above the 1/4 mark. Therefore, they do not pick up much snarf (<---technical term) to clog the fuel line. If there is a clog, yes, it will go into the tank. So what? That's why God created fuel filters. Once you are sure the line is clear, you can try again, though, IMO, if the fuel line was dry, your fuel pump is probably the place to be looking. You can rig a check for the fuel pump by connecting a piece of hose to the imput side and get a small coffee can of gas.

Let us know how it comes out.

[Woodglue]

You guys are Funny.

That's what this is all about, right?

[valen76]

If the genny hasn't been run for awhile, I would not expect to see much gas in the line. It evaporates over time. SOMETIMES, if it's been a REALLY LONG time, (like 10+ months) it turns into varnish.

July was the last time it ran...but with the Yuma heat...

First, double check the fuel line back to the tank and make sure there isn't a fuel filter somewhere. There probably isn't, but you never know. If so, remove it/replace it and try again. Assuming the fuel filter is eliminated as a culprit...

Didn't find one last night, but there is some serious corrosion on the line.

As noted, the pick ups for the generators are above the 1/4 mark. Therefore, they do not pick up much snarf (<---technical term) to clog the fuel line.

I had some snarf in the fuel line before rusty brown crap, however it came out and was lost in the sand while I was trying to put the hose on.

You can rig a check for the fuel pump by connecting a piece of hose to the input side and get a small coffee can of gas.

My light was dying so I didn't get around to doing that.

[Mudkattgowfo]

You guys are Funny.

That's what this is all about, right?

Yes it is. Sometimes I just point out the obvious....

[valen76]

Gravity bleed... genny runs fine. Now I just need to get the thermostat installed. I have a few extra wires than I thought I would. They are the purple and brown wires. Here is the break down.

Yellow (Y) Compressor relay
Green (GH) High Fan relay
Gray (GL) Low Fan relay
Blue (B) (12VDC-) Will not be used (2 AA will power unit)
White (W) Furnace or Heat Element relay
Purple (P) High Fan
Brown (B) Low Fan

[r erfert]

So did you at least buy a cheapie volt meter?

For next time??

[valen76]

So did you at least buy a cheapie volt meter?

For next time??

I have one...that is how I knew my battery was good. I would have used it to test the switch but didn't have a helper to turn the key when I was trouble shooting it.

After digging a little deeper in the wall I found out what the purple and brown wires were hooked up to, nothing. They are hi low switches for the heater.



Here is how I am going to install the digital thermostat. http://www.klenger.net/RV_General/HVAC_ ... ctions.pdf Option 1. Maybe I will upgrade and add a hi low fan switch later down the road as shown in the other options.

[r erfert]

I have one...that is how I knew my battery was good. I would have used it to test the switch but didn't have a helper to turn the key when I was trouble shooting it.

No helper?
I thought that was what the Data Hold button was for

[valen76]

Well the t stat install was very fast and easy. If you don't have a digital t stat I reccommmend it. Its easy and works great plus it looks so much newer. My wife says in make the RV look ten years newer.

The old



and the new.



I am still having fuel issues. Tried putting the line into a gas can but it would not start. Bought a filter for the genny and will install it on Tuesday. I am bringing my compressor to yuma so I can have some air.

[valen76]

No helper?
I thought that was what the Data Hold button was for

My walmart digital multimeter doesn't have that feature....or I don't think it does. It doesn't have wire clips to hold the leads in place.

[Sloppyduner]

This thread is scaring me.

[valen76]

Ah Sloppy its not that bad. I have not been able to use it much so thats why I am having these issues. [-o<

[valen76]

I think I am having a vapor lock issue with the genny. I opened up the gas tank lid and it vented like it was gasping for air. The genny ran for an hour at lunch with no problems with the lid barely on. I am going to try to find my old gas cap. Or go and purchase a new locking one from a FLAPS. I will try the genny again tonight to see where I stand.