Problems with batteries

We ALWAYS take a picture BEFORE anything is disconnected when doing work on the batteries. To many cables, then we make sure each cable is reconnected based upon the picture. And we count the number of cables to each post and where each is coming from, very easy to miss one.

Barb

If the chassis/engine batteries are up, you might try using your switch that ties the banks together and see if that will start the gen?? Just a thought, or just wait awhile and see if the house batteries come up.. Mike Mathews..

Ok. Problem solved. Here's what happened: there was an extra cable I didn't see that needed to be hooked up. After that, it still didn't start. But, at least I was able to get power to my dash. The dash had check engine light and a trans comm fail warning. I figured it was a fuse problem now so I checked them ALL with my volt meter. I found two blown (a 5 amp and a 10 amp). The ten amp was the transmission. Swapped it out a I was in business. Now the RV is at the house plugged in and charging. Hopefully my dead coach batteries will charge up. The only other thing that is not working right is the generator. Does it run off the coach batteries? If so, then I understand it not working. But I couldn't get it going while the engine is running.

That is possible, it's also posssible you forgot to properly label which wire goes to which terminal as the old 'Black is negative" may not apply. (or it may, but frankly without testing I do not know)

coolcity wrote:
I thought the 5.9 was discontinued back in like 2004? and was replaced with the 6.7

Crap. I need more sleep. It's not the 5.9 it's the 8.3. My old one had the 5.9. Ugh!

for the starter

do NOT call RV repair

call a Mobile Diesel Mechanic

I thought the 5.9 was discontinued back in like 2004? and was replaced with the 6.7

wildmanbaker wrote:
If it is a 2012, it should still be under warranty, and should be corrected by either Fleetwood, or Cummings. The starters do hang-up on the 5.9 series engines. They run about $200. at most part stores, and is very easy to change from underneath.

good luck and let us know how it works out.

Good to know. Thanks! I did call the freightliner help number but they were too busy and by the time they called back, I wasn't at the MH anymore. I did discuss the problem with the lady but she was as dumbfounded as I was. I plan to call them again tomorrow when I'm there again.

If it is a 2012, it should still be under warranty, and should be corrected by either Fleetwood, or Cummings. The starters do hang-up on the 5.9 series engines. They run about $200. at most part stores, and is very easy to change from underneath.

good luck and let us know how it works out.

wny_pat wrote:

moman1 wrote:

Matt_Colie wrote:
With on hint what you are working on, it is kind of hard to even guess. If it is the solenoid that is hung up, then a tap with a hammer will usually make it let go.

Good Luck

Matt

Thanks for the tip! Now I just need to figure out where the starter is. I've heard this from one other place in my research on this problem. I'm not too familiar with working on diesel engines though, but I'll take a look tomorrow.

Kevin

Matt was wondering what you are working on. I'm guessing that it is a 2012 Fleetwood Discovery 40G because it is what is listed in your profile, but I could be groping in the dark here. You might have brought something else to play with. Am also guessing that we are talking about a Cummins, but no idea what model? If it is the 2012 Fleetwood, isn't it under warranty???

And if you don't know where the starter is on a Cummins, you should not be tearing into that engine!

I wasn't sure what Matt was saying in his first line "With on hint what you are working on, it is kind of hard to even guess." I'm sure it was autocorrect. But you are guessing correctly and I should have posted that to make it easier. However, my thought was that it didn't matter what MH it is because my first question was dealing with a problem that could be on any type engine because all engines have starters, starter solenoids, and batteries. But my second question does for where the starter is, you're right.

It is a cummins 5.9. I have no desire to do anything more than giving the starter a couple hits with a rubber mallet. If that doesn't work, my next step is to have a mobile RV repair man come out. But that is a minimum $200 fee that might have been able to be solved simply. It was my intent to see if anyone on here had any experiences or ideas about how to remedy this as simply as possible. As for it being under warranty, yes but because it was caused by a battery drain issue, it won't be covered.

Tomorrow I intend to try one last time to get it going. I'll post the results of my efforts when done. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts so far. I do appreciate the effort.

Kevin