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TCmart's avatar
TCmart
Explorer
Jun 18, 2020

2000 Bounder Electrical Problem

Hi all. Just returned from a 1500 mile trip to Florida. My Fleetwood Bounder with the V10 engine started to turn off abruptly whenever I hit a bump in the roadway. Sometimes it would restart on its own and other times I had to shift into neutral while rolling along at 55 mph and restart it with the key.
It started every time but it was more than nerve wracking.
I checked all battery connections, cleaned, tightened and even ran another ground wire to the engine block.
I then replaced the ignition switch in the steering column.
The problem persists.
Any experience with this problem or any tips on where to look next would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Class A
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Jun 18, 2020
    It takes battery power to run. My guess would be to start at the chassis battery disconnect for loose connections.
  • jdc1's avatar
    jdc1
    Explorer II
    Jun 18, 2020
    Since you DON'T need a battery to keep a vehicle running (the alternator will do that), it has to be an ignition problem. When I say "ignition" I don't mean the starter or key section. Look at how an older vehicle operates. The coil and distributor provide the electricity to the plugs (in your case, coils). I'm far from being an automotive guru, but, I would think your problem lies in the ignition distribution......maybe even a computer connection.
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Jun 18, 2020
    take the ground wire OFF the frame clean to bare metal and reinstall. ground problems are the cause off 99% of electrical troubles.
  • allbrandauto's avatar
    allbrandauto
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2020
    with it running take the key and jiggle it a little to the off position and see if it cuts off
  • garry1p's avatar
    garry1p
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2020
    Well you have done all the normal things time to consider where is 12vDC mandatory to keep the engine running?
    Majority of electrical problems turn out th be a bad ground.
    Time to start jerking on wires and thumping fuses with the engine running.
    Solenoids
    Fuel pump
    Distributor
    Computer
    ???

    Good luck and post back what you find.
  • Lt46's avatar
    Lt46
    Explorer II
    Jun 18, 2020
    Check the inertia switch's red button, make sure it is completely depressed.The inertia switch is on the floor/firewall behind or near the brake pedal. In a collision/rollover it is supposed to kill power to the fuel pump.
  • TCmart's avatar
    TCmart
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2020
    Thanks for the suggestions. A good friend is a truck mechanic and he said he would take a look at it. His suggestion was to pull wires and shake relays to see if we can replicate it in the shop.
    I'll let you know if we're successful.
  • TCmart's avatar
    TCmart
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2020
    Thanks for the suggestions. .i cleaned the ground wire to bare metal and added an additional ground wire to make sure it was a solid connection.
    I jiggled the key, the engine kept running.
    The red cutoff switch is fully depressed.
    I'm moving on to jiggling and thumping!
  • Bruce_Brown's avatar
    Bruce_Brown
    Moderator
    Jun 19, 2020
    jdc1 wrote:
    Since you DON'T need a battery to keep a vehicle running (the alternator will do that), it has to be an ignition problem.


    I don't know if its the case with the OPs MH, but some newer vehicles do need a healthy battery to run. Want to ask me how I know? :B

    Given the vintage of the OPs MH, I suspect it might.
  • Gundog's avatar
    Gundog
    Explorer II
    Jun 19, 2020
    Sounds like a loose connection or corrosion but it could be many different things in the electrical system. It is hard to find intermittent problems, it needs to act up to find it. Good luck let us know when you figure it out.

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