Very Frustrated

mchero wrote:
I herd the term "Problematic starter relays" from Ford motorhome owners over in the irv2 Fleetwood forum.
I posted an issue with a Southwind motorhome that is having a no start issue. Guess what I found? A "problem" with the starter relay in the upper left corner in the doghouse looking from the backend looking forward.
The relay was not passing voltage down to the starter "solenoid".
So, i picked up the term problematic from owners of the older Ford chassis owners.

This is the relay I am referring to;
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHST40?cid=paidsearch_shopping_dcoe_google&campaign=GSC-Alternators-Starters&campaign_id=6503920054&adgroup_id=73349362010&adtype=pla_with_promotion&gclid=Cj0KCQiAh4j-BRCsARIsAGeV12CmzP5ndiWZYJyGQVecOzS26dL-MKyXB0p6PAwkkmua669pCCLbX8QaAhrkEALw_wcB

Here's a simple schematic of how its wired. I did run across a Ford schematic but can't locate;
https://images.app.goo.gl/9cw3i41d67eLYEYK6

SO, We are talking BOTH a relay and solenoid in the starting curcuit.
Not sure how many years these relays where used, thus my post.

Those would be specifically used on the chassis used for MHs and not part of the original design for Ford Cars and trucks. May also have been added on by the RV manufacturer..

In a nutshell, Ford and other manufacturers would build a stripped down bare chassis with motor, transmission, brakes, steering wheel and the basic chassis wiring.. It is up to the MH builder to add to, remove or MODIFY wiring to suit the MH engineering and design team. Often in Chassis and van wiring space is limited and wiring may need moved or altered.. It is for this reason that you may have difficult time with wiring, fuse boxes and engine parts designed specifically for that motorhome..

heck, even determining the actual yr of manufacture for the chassis can be a challenge since the MH manufacturer will often issue their own VIN with build date for their custom creation.

One of the many reasons, I do not plan to ever buy a motor home, too many jacked up "one off" parts and wiring making them difficult to repair.