Forum Discussion

daisydee's avatar
daisydee
Explorer
Aug 26, 2013

Ford E450 Chassis Electrical help

I have an early 2008 Jayco Greyhawk built on a 2007 Ford chassis.
I seem to have multiple problems at the same time. First the electric step controller burned and had it replaced. Appears that the wiring was caught under the control arm and shorted. Also, at the same time the voltage feed from the circuit breaker on the engine firewall, the lug was rusted and the voltage was intermittent. Both those problems were resolved.
At the same time (related?) I still have a problem without the key in the iginition, the digital odometer will come on, the dash buzzer will sound and the cab courtesy lights will come on. Not necessarily in unison.
Once the engine is running I do not seem to have a problem. At least the courtesy lights and buzzer are ok.

Has anyone experienced this? Is there one fuse circuit that controls all these functions? I currently disconnect the chassis battery.
  • Indeed, when something crazy happens like that, it has to be a poor ground. A good test would be a temporary wire from battery negative straight to the step motor.
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Backfeed... Even your Steps could do that. Remember, they retract regardless of door switch position when the Ignition is in Run or ACC, correct? Maybe a grounding problem along with it. We tend to look at the "hot" side in 12VDC circuits, but faulty grounds cause just as many problems. And they're harder to see.
  • I had the step controller replaced at a dealer (extended warranty) but they did not diagnose the cause and the rusted circuit breaker was causing additional problems. I called Jayco and they helped me identify the components and location. Part was less than $4 and a couple of zip ties to dress the step wiring so it does not short out again.

    So now Jayco support and the dealer say the problem with the odometer, cab lights and dash buzzer are a Ford chassis problem. I called Ford RV support today and they said it appears to be a power backfeed problem but could not help any further over the phone. They will supply any schematics needed to the Ford dealer.
  • If you email Jayco they will send you the electrical sym via email. The did for me.Good luck
  • hotbyte wrote:
    I'm not sure if the topic title can be edited but, if you can, changing it to E450 might get you more responses.

    Done.
  • I'm not sure if the topic title can be edited but, if you can, changing it to E450 might get you more responses.
  • F53 chassis or E450/450? I thought the F53 was used for class A's, not class C's?

    Sorry, not familiar with the problems you are having...