1996 Southwind, P30 Chassis, 454 engine.It was starting normal until about a week ago. It acts like the battery is dead, it will not turn the engine over.The chassis battery and the house batteries are charged. I tried to jump it with my truck, it made no difference.It holds a charge after sitting overnight unplugged from shore power.I did not have the chassis battery load tested, I did put it in my truck and it started several times with no problems.The test switch on the master control panel shows the chassis battery is low and the house batteries are completely dead.They are fully charged.I had a problem about a month ago but, that turned out to be a bad lug on the chassis battery. It was working great, now I can't get it started.I was thinking bad ground? Other than that, what should I check?Thanks for any help or suggestions.

do all the lights on instrument pabel come on when key is turned on ?when you turn to start is there a click from starter ? check all connnections from batery to starter.Is it in neutral?could be neutral safety switch.starter,bad cable ,lots of things.have someone sit in seat,foot on brake,momently jump from small wire on engine side if solenoid on top of starter to battery cable terminal of starter,see if it cranks. DO NOT DO THIS ALONE Dave

Could also be the switch on the column for park and it is not being seen in park.I remember some vehicles having to push up on the shift lever while starting the vehicle.

Do the dash lights come on?If no there is a fuse link down by the starter that could be bad.If yes, check the ignition fuse in the fuse block under the dash to the left of the steering column.

Turn on your headlights and see if they light as bright as normal. If they do, chances are your battery is OK. Then have someone watch your headlights while you try the starter. If the headlights dim a lot, your starter is drawing too much current which could indicate a bad starter, or bad cable connections or cables, either ground or positive to the starter.

Now it's getting weird. I just checked the lights, everything is working.I tried the starter, it started with no problem or hesitation.I don't know if the lights were working or not when it would not start.I'll clean all the terminals and connections and see if it does it again.When it did not start, the starter was engaging and turned the engine about 1/8 of a revolution. (at least that's how it sounded)Other than the terminals/connections, I have no idea.Anything I can check if it's starting okay? :?Thanks for the advice.

Southwind not starting | Good Sam Community

dakdave
Explorer
Oct 30, 2013
do all the lights on instrument pabel come on when key is turned on ?when you turn to start is there a click from starter ? check all connnections from batery to starter.Is it in neutral?could be neutral safety switch.starter,bad cable ,lots of things.have someone sit in seat,foot on brake,momently jump from small wire on engine side if solenoid on top of starter to battery cable terminal of starter,see if it cranks.
DO NOT DO THIS ALONE
Dave
Ranger_Smith
Explorer
Oct 30, 2013
Could also be the switch on the column for park and it is not being seen in park.I remember some vehicles having to push up on the shift lever while starting the vehicle.
enblethen
Nomad
Oct 30, 2013
Do the dash lights come on?
If no there is a fuse link down by the starter that could be bad.
If yes, check the ignition fuse in the fuse block under the dash to the left of the steering column.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Oct 30, 2013
Turn on your headlights and see if they light as bright as normal. If they do, chances are your battery is OK. Then have someone watch your headlights while you try the starter. If the headlights dim a lot, your starter is drawing too much current which could indicate a bad starter, or bad cable connections or cables, either ground or positive to the starter.
gbopp
Explorer
Oct 30, 2013
Now it's getting weird.
I just checked the lights, everything is working.
I tried the starter, it started with no problem or hesitation.

I don't know if the lights were working or not when it would not start.
I'll clean all the terminals and connections and see if it does it again.

When it did not start, the starter was engaging and turned the engine about 1/8 of a revolution. (at least that's how it sounded)

Other than the terminals/connections, I have no idea.

Anything I can check if it's starting okay? :?
Thanks for the advice.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Oct 30, 2013
Bad batteries do not fix themselves, nor do starters.
I am sure that you have either a bad cable or bad connections somewhere. Turning on the headlights lights draws a lot of power, but not as much as the starter. Just turning on your headlights may have caused a poor connection to arc enough to make contact that was sufficient for the starter.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Oct 30, 2013
bad ground
bumpy
gbopp
Explorer
Oct 30, 2013
Thanks for all the replies and info. I'll post the problem and corrections made when I figure it out..
darsben
Explorer II
Oct 30, 2013
On the passenger side you should see a solenoid it is called the isolator/emergency start solenoid and you should see a little black box that controls it called the isolator/emergency start control. Either one of these bad and you could get the condition you describe. This is the way my 1990 Southwind is anyway I am thinking yours is similar.

I have a pdf schematic if you PM me with an email address I will send it to you
vtbig
Explorer
Oct 30, 2013
I would be more apt to think the ground is the problem. Check the connections from the battery inward.

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