Workhorse - No Start (Problem and Solved)

[angler]

I did post this in the breakdown forum just sharing for anyone with an older motorhome with workhorse chassis

RV particulars 2002 Allegro Bay
Driveline Workhorse 24K Allison 8.1
Miles:83000
Year:2002
Break Down Description: No start
Symptoms: No Start in front of my house ready to travel. Started 5 times the same day.
Effect: No Cranking just silence.
Cause: Starter relay female connectors in the fuse box are worn.
Outcome: Call roadside since it was so cold (polar vortex) the hood wouldn't open. 986 dollar tow bill. Thank goodness for roadside assistance. (Sunday 30 mile tow)

Had to bend pins on the starter relay for better connection. Until the connectors in fuse box can be replaced.

[angler]

You can flop the relays with the air conditioner right next to it if it's a bad relay, but if the female pins in the fuse box are worn it may not work without bending the pins on the relay to get a good fit. I hate stuff that doesn't start. going to have to learn how to cross the solenoid.
Of course the refrigerator cooling unit crapped out when we got south. Hey cost of having fun!

[Janss]

Thank you! I'll take a look under my hood when I get a chance.

[wa8yxm]

williamp321 wrote:
I have a 2003 Georgetown 346 W22 with a workhorse chassie. Would the piliot relay be in the fuse box under the hood. Thanks in advance for any info.

Yes it would On my RV there are two boxes under the hood One is the "Intelletec Battery Control Center" That is not it.

THe other has no markings. It is dead center at my eye level (6'2" tall me) and the relay's are on the right. bottom relay I believe is labeled "STARTER" (the label is on the inside of the box cover)

If you pull it.. take a White or other contrasting marker and mark the shell onto the base. You can then pry the shell off.. Line up the marks when you restore it.. Else you may get it wrong at lest in the test phase.

It was a not quite freezing drizzle when Mine failed.. I was kind of glad to figure it out quickly because the option was crawling under the @!#$ thing to access the starter solenoid directly.

Yes. I know how to do that too.

[olfarmer]

2001 Winnebago on Workhorse chassis. I also would like to know where the relay is!

[Janss]

I'd also like to know where this relay is located.

[williamp321]

I have a 2003 Georgetown 346 W22 with a workhorse chassie. Would the piliot relay be in the fuse box under the hood. Thanks in advance for any info.

[wa8yxm]

Interesting. Much the same thing happened to me last spring. Stopped for gas. NO START.. turned out to be that same relay.> Removed. opened up. cleaned contacts. and VAROOM.

For those who do not know Workhorse systems this is a pilot relay.
the key activates the pilot relay
the pilot relay activates the starter solenoid
and that in turn the starter.

When mine failed I got a sharp CLICK (like a small relay closing) not a CLUNK (the solenoid) or stutter (low bat indication). The sound was.. thankfully. diagnostic cause like the O/P here the weater was nasty. not that nasty but still nasty.