Forum Discussion

johncasey37's avatar
johncasey37
Explorer
Sep 19, 2017

Replaced Starter, now, no 12V power at the dash

I changed the starter. Then the problem started...Had the starter checked. I checked every fuse i could find. Wires look ok, peeled back heat shield to check. 2 fuse boxes under hood. One 12" metal box with disconnect switches, this one has power everywhere, except a vertical row of fuses on right side. another 6" fuse box under hood all dead. a 3rd fuse box under dash, all dead. even the security light for the ignition..dead. Disconnect switch sound like they are working. I can turn the key on(no lights at all on dash) and then jump the solenoid, and start the RV...still dash is dead. I would appreciate any clues.
2004 southwind 32V / Workhorse
thanks
John Casey
Class A
  • 1995brave's avatar
    1995brave
    Nomad
    Sep 19, 2017
    A little information about the RV would help a lot. Make, model, year, chassis manufacturer, etc.
  • mtrumpet's avatar
    mtrumpet
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2017
    johncasey37 wrote:
    I changed the starter. Then the problem started...Had the starter checked. I checked every fuse i could find. Wires look ok, peeled back heat shield to check. 2 fuse boxes under hood. One 12" metal box with disconnect switches, this one has power everywhere, except a vertical row of fuses on right side. another 6" fuse box under hood all dead. a 3rd fuse box under dash, all dead. even the security light for the ignition..dead. Disconnect switch sound like they are working. I can turn the key on(no lights at all on dash) and then jump the solenoid, and start the RV...still dash is dead. I would appreciate any clues.
    thanks
    John Casey


    OK, and the make, model, year, chassis, engine of your motorhome might be....?
  • YC_1's avatar
    YC_1
    Nomad
    Sep 19, 2017
    My bet is on a dropped wire. Grab a flash light and look in the area of the wires that were taken off.
  • johncasey37's avatar
    johncasey37
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2017
    there is only 2 big wires and one small one. there is a 4th in the same harness that connects to a sensor in the block.

    The small wire was all rusted, but i put a new end on it.
    all the wires are wrapped up with heat shielding.
    I really only unwrapped about 2" of the small wire. I will go out and see if there was another wire with it.

    I know the thing has tricked me so far.LOL
    JC
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Sep 19, 2017
    If you didn't disconnect the battery you may have taken out a fusible link someplace.
  • johncasey37's avatar
    johncasey37
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2017
    yeah, we disconnected the battery....

    I do think it is some simple thing....
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2017
    Although some of the symptoms don't match this very good, maybe it will lead you to something else.

    In some (many?) applications, one fat black negative battery cable is bolted to the chassis at one of the starter mounting bolts. Any chance that is loose ?
  • Jim's avatar
    Jim
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2017
    Remember to check ground connections. It could be from the work you were doing or a coincidence but when a bunch of stuff goes out, first thing I do is check the work, then the grounds. Wiggle them, tug on the wires. Wrench the bolts a little.

About Motorhome Group

38,705 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 14, 2025