electrical problem- where to go from here

[red_ranger]

everything on the dash is dead. turn the key-nothing. no gages, the chassis battery has about 12v. the radio doesn't work and i believe that works off the house battery. house batt is 13.5v

it is a coachmen mirada 2003. the coachmen tech disavows any knowlege since they merged with forest river they know nothing about old rv's thanks for any input

[Carvin_Marvin]

Is this by any chance on a w-22. If so there is a 40 amp fuse in the main box that will nearly replicate your problem. Worth a look.

[wilanddij]

If you can get at the chassis batt with some jumper cables, jump it from another vehicle or pull your house batt(s) and jump it that way. If everything is still dead with another batt hooked up you'll need to be looking at the circuitry.

[wa8yxm]

First dash radio may work off either battery.. IN SOME RV's there is a battery selection switch for the dash radio.

I too would start at the battery terminals.. Clean, and load test the chassis battery while at it.. Did that 3 times before the load test failed. (Over a period of nine years).

[Executive45]

Have you checked for an in line fuse? Look for a wire 6-12" from the battery post.,,check the fuse....Dennis

[red_ranger]

i tried the boost switch first and nothing. i tried the genny and it cranked for maybe 20 seconds. usually when the chassis battery is low at least the solenoid will click, and the gages will light. i think it must be a ground thing cause the radio is on the house baatt as are the jacks and nothing works

[jy]

do you have a battery disconnect switch by the door?Did someone turn it off?

[wolfe10]

Put a voltmeter on the chassis battery. Have someone turn the key to try to start. What is voltage before and during start-attempt?

No need for guess work. If voltage drops below 11.8 VDC while trying to start, you can use the boost switch if you need to start it now. Then, charge the chassis battery (either by driving or with charger) and again "test" the now fully charged chassis battery. If it flunks, replace it.

[Executive45]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Have you tried the battery "boost" switch on the dash while turning the key to see if the dash lights come on? If they do this puts the problem on the chassis battery.

Bingo! I put my money on buying new batteries. Sounds like his starter batteries are toast...Dennis

[rgatijnet1]

Have you tried the battery "boost" switch on the dash while turning the key to see if the dash lights come on? If they do this puts the problem on the chassis battery.

[rcmiller32]

I would recommend pulling both batteries and have them tested. The chassis battery should power the dash and every thing on that side of things. Just replaced the coach battery that showed 13 volts but would not even run the slide outs. As soon as the tester was applied it showed as failing. The chassis battery tested good but on the border of passing. Also follow the battery cables from the chassis battery and look for a solenoid or high amp rated fuse, fuse link or buss bar. Check all connections and terminals for dirt and corrosion and clean them.

[red_ranger]

i tested the chassis battery at the connectors not the bat. the solenoid doean't even click. with the house batteries i checked connections and all were 13+ volts

[BB_TX]

12v at no load doesn't mean much. Remove battery wire clamps, clean, and reinstall. If still nothing, take battery to auto parts store for testing.