Alright, about a month ago my 95 Gulf stream (F53) Wouldn't turn over, After troubleshooting the systems with help from my friends here, it turned out to be a loose connection at the Starter. I Removed to old Connector , and replaced with a new non corroded one.which brings me to Now..Went out to the Coach today, started up, let her warm up for a few minutes. tried to put her in Drive From Park, No Dice!.refuses to Shift while Running. Shut her down Turned my Key to the On Position and shifted to Neutral successfully. Started it up and Drove it to My house 1.5 Miles away to troubleshoot the issue.Few Issues I noticed on the Short Drive home,-Headlights will not turn on-Radio wont turn on with the Radio switch on "chassis"- Speedometer will not register speed, (remains at 0 mph)-and the Big one, Engine Ran VERY hot on the Short drive, Fan was running. when I Stopped at home and shut her down, My "frigi Cool" unit in the engine bay started dumping about 1/2 a quart (estimate) of what appears to be Antifreeze from behind the Plastic Shroud that says "frigi cool" on it. I am At a loss for words here, I have no Idea where to begin, No idea if these issues are related, and am affraid to drive it the 1.5 miles back to the Storage yard, but it cannot stay where it is now or My neighbors will Throw a frenzy.Any Guidance in the right direction would be VERY MUCh appreciated.Thank you all in advance

Since you replaced the connector on the starter, is this the first time you have driven it? If so, then look closely at the starter for any additional wires that may have been left off.I sounds like something electrical is not working. Just shooting blanks in the dark here.....

2bzy2c wrote:Since you replaced the connector on the starter, is this the first time you have driven it? If so, then look closely at the starter for any additional wires that may have been left off.I sounds like something electrical is not working. Just shooting blanks in the dark here.....Yes First time Driving Since, I did Crawl Under there to check things out. and everything seems to be fine.

Sorry to hear of all your problems. Your not being able to shift into drive with engine running may be caused by your shift linkage malfunctioning.Headlights not turning on, indication of either blown fuse, faulty switch, or an open in the circuit between power source and headlights. One other possibility, you may have a bad ground with the headlight circuit.Radio won't turn on when switch on "chassis" not sure I understand on that one.Engine overheating, could be thermostat stuck in a closed position.Speedometer not working, possible corroded or loose connection at the speed sensor, if yours is like our 2000 f53, the sensor is located on the left front side of the differential housing. I would first check for a bad connection at the sensor.If all else fails, looks like a trip to Ford HD repair facility is in order.Best of luck and keep us posted on your fixes...

Well, it seems like everything was Okay before you replaced that connection. So, I would look and look again where you made the repair. Something is not right. All the symptoms point to an electrical problem, except the overheating issue.

If the vehicle was sitting on an incline, that will sometimes make the shift very difficult to move from park to drive, or reverse. Some problems seem to be related to the ignition switch or to one of the wiring harness connectors coming out of the steering column.I agree with the stuck thermostat for the quick overheating. This is usually an inexpensive fix and would explain the antifreeze being expelled. Headlights are sometimes on a circuit breaker rather than a fuse. The dim/bright switch is on the steering column which may also be related to some of the other problems with the speedometer, etc.

One thing After Another, Please help. | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

tropical36
Explorer
May 02, 2014
edzop wrote:
Look for a blown fusible link. These would be found attached to the starter solenoid mounted somewhere near the chassis battery, usually within a foot or two. Follow all positive terminal wires and one of them will go to the solenoid. The fusible links, may be several, will be mounted to same terminal as positive feed wire/cable. Good luck.

Also check for fusible links in the location of the starter's heat shield, as I think I remember seeing something there when replacing my starter last summer on the road.
I guess not important now that the problem has been mostly solved unless there's somehow a loss to the electrical fan and the dash A/C is on.
LVJ58
Explorer
May 02, 2014
Thanks for the feedback on resolving your electrical issue, hope you get the other problems fixes without too much hassle, Keep us posted on your progress..
Usmcsousa
Explorer
May 02, 2014
Well after an exhausting episode of tracing wires and searching for any faulty wires/ Fusible links ect. I Found that in my power Distribution box in the Fuse Location #17 (30amp headlamps, marker lights,programmable speedo) the Fuse Was Good, But was getting no Power to the hot side of the fuse.
The connecting wire under the Distribution box to that #17 fuse completely disconnected from the connector.
SO now.. My Speedo Works, Radio works, Headlights Work..
BUT
My Engine temp Gauge doesnt seem to be working, and after startup, i am Still dumping antifreeze from inside my "Frigi cool" Box in the engine bay.
And my Shifter still will not Shift out of park while the Engine Is running,

Secondly and to me less importantly, after studying my Fuse locations in my Owner Manual, It turns out that I have a hot 60amp fuse in a location that is apparently "not used" and have No fuse in the "blower motor" location, ... Guesses?
Executive45
Explorer III
May 02, 2014
My guess is the fusible link right at the battery connection. If you find that's good, then I would start at the wiring to the starter and work backwards. Ensure you've hooked all of them to the right places. I think your problems are related to the same install....Dennis
edzop
Explorer
May 02, 2014
Look for a blown fusible link. These would be found attached to the starter solenoid mounted somewhere near the chassis battery, usually within a foot or two. Follow all positive terminal wires and one of them will go to the solenoid. The fusible links, may be several, will be mounted to same terminal as positive feed wire/cable. Good luck.
Usmcsousa
Explorer
May 02, 2014
allbrandauto wrote:
you have a electrical problem and its going to be one problem will fix all look at starter big battery wire are any other wires going to that terminal if so take 12 volt test light ground one end and probe other wires for 12 volts if ok go to ign. switch turn ign. on take test light all wires but one will be 12 volts the one that dos not light will go to starter sol. end will light when you turn the key to start if test fails problem is between the to

thank you, Getting started Right now.
Usmcsousa
Explorer
May 02, 2014
LVJ58 wrote:
RE: "My Radio has a switch on the dash to Change from the House battery system the to Chassis battery.. Works fine with house batteries"

OK, then your problem is no power from chassis battery, so as others mentioned check connections at battery terminals as well as ground connection to the frame.

Also make sure your chassis battery is good, check with voltmeter and you should get a reading of 12.5vdc +, if lower, replace chassis battery...

Had my battery load tested at Auto zone, resting at 12.8V today. battery connections and Ground are Clean Dry and Tight.
Usmcsousa
Explorer
May 02, 2014
B's Bunch wrote:
When you replaced the connection for the starter did you ground the cable? As in sparks when reconnecting it? If so you may have shorted out some things and blown several fuses. Just a thought. Good luck checking it out and let us know what cleared it up. Some times when I have problems I have to think what did I do last that may have caused this problem to occur. Larry

Sh**, Now that you mention that, my Buddy tried pulling off the heat shield before I disconnected the battery when he was helping troubleshoot. heard a quick "ahh, Disconnect the battery" but didn't notice any loss of electrical at the time.

Im willing to bet thats my issue now.. any clues as the where i should begin finding what I screwed up? maybe easier to hire someone? Id rather not. Probably a needle in a hay stack now huh?

Ive already checked all the fuses that i can find both at the Converter, Engine bay, and below my steering column. Nothing Blown.
B_s_Bunch
Explorer
May 02, 2014
When you replaced the connection for the starter did you ground the cable? As in sparks when reconnecting it? If so you may have shorted out some things and blown several fuses. Just a thought. Good luck checking it out and let us know what cleared it up. Some times when I have problems I have to think what did I do last that may have caused this problem to occur. Larry
LVJ58
Explorer
May 02, 2014
RE: "My Radio has a switch on the dash to Change from the House battery system the to Chassis battery.. Works fine with house batteries"

OK, then your problem is no power from chassis battery, so as others mentioned check connections at battery terminals as well as ground connection to the frame.

Also make sure your chassis battery is good, check with voltmeter and you should get a reading of 12.5vdc +, if lower, replace chassis battery...

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One thing After Another, Please help.

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