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sealevel_ram's avatar
sealevel_ram
Explorer
Dec 10, 2014

Electrical Problem

On my 2004Winnebago Ultimate Freedom:

I turn the headlight switch on ---- no headlights, dim or bright. Running lights on.
Right turn signal works, left no.
Flasher won't flash.
Brake lights work.

Have replaced running light relay and switch on column. No change.
Dim lights come on, and stay on, with wrong type relay from autoparts place, so bulbs and ground are good.

Can not see any loose or bad wires.

Please help.
Class A

4 Replies

  • fpresto's avatar
    fpresto
    Explorer
    Dec 13, 2014
    sealevel ram wrote:
    I would say this is the answer except that all these various problems started at exactly the same time. They could not have the same ground.
    Also, the headlights work sometimes.

    I think that you may have a basic misunderstanding of the system. In general there is only one ground. You may have multiple attachment points to ground and they may all be good but if the main ground is bad, loose or corroded it can affect the entire system. Start at the batteries. Make sure that the negative post is clean and well connected, if good follow the wire to the main ground, usually the chassis and that the connection there is clean and attached firmly. For the system to work you must have a complete circuit back to the negative terminal of the battery. Any weak or intermittent connection can cause your issues.
  • Coyote74's avatar
    Coyote74
    Explorer
    Dec 13, 2014
    check power for individual wires for signals at column connection. fuse maybe for headlights
  • sealevel_ram's avatar
    sealevel_ram
    Explorer
    Dec 13, 2014
    Matt_Colie wrote:
    See,

    All of those problems can be bad ground issues. Get a 12v test light and go to the thing that have problems and check that the test light has a good ground and then test the power connections to what ever. If there is power there, then look for power on the ground side. If there is, then follow the ground wire down to the rusty connection to the frame.
    Matt


    I would say this is the answer except that all these various problems started at exactly the same time. They could not have the same ground.
    Also, the headlights work sometimes.
  • Matt_Colie's avatar
    Matt_Colie
    Explorer II
    Dec 10, 2014
    See,

    All of those problems can be bad ground issues. Get a 12v test light and go to the thing that have problems and check that the test light has a good ground and then test the power connections to what ever. If there is power there, then look for power on the ground side. If there is, then follow the ground wire down to the rusty connection to the frame.

    Before the depression I had a business that was supposed to be doing boat work. But when clients found out that I could find and fix things like this, I had lots of work before the money ran out.

    Matt

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