1990 Elandan Help Needed

[Jwalli22]

We ran the vehicle to get propane and fuel. We then parked it to load up, and now it won't turn over. We got a new starter and battery. It still won't turn over... Any ideas?

[olfarmer]

Glad to hear you got it fixed! I had a similar problem on an 87 Itasca Windcruiser. It turned out to be a bad ground at the chassis where the ground from the battery attached. Can be tricky to find as it was intermittent.

[Jwalli22]

Thanks everyone! I think we've found the problem. I jumped the ground wire from the batt with a new one... Fired right up!

[enblethen]

The solenoid on top of the starter could be failing. You can get parts for many to repair them. Or the other option while you have it out is to have it bench tested at your local auto parts store.

[Jwalli22]

Chevy chassis 37rq Elandan

[enblethen]

What chassis is your rig on?

[Jwalli22]

2 cylinoids side by side. They're far from new, so that could be a possibility. We tried charging the old battery, and have tried 2 new ones. I'm going to pull the starter again and try cleaning connections there a little better. Could testing the generator have anything to do with it? We tried before the problem arose with the failed start.

[doxiemom11]

If it's the neutral control/safety switch, try starting it in neutral instead of park. Sometimes that works for awhile.

[Jwalli22]

We tried holding the aux switch too, while turning the key. Same thing. We've been cleaning connections and checking wires, but no luck so far. Havnt found an emergency start switch.

[enblethen]

Does your rig have an auxiliary start switch on the dash? It sounds like low battery amperage to start system. Using the aux. start will supply more amperage to the starter.
Check your ground connection on the chassis battery on both ends.

[DrewE]

If it chugs once, that's "turning over'—i.e. the engine is rotating. Sounds as though the starter isn't getting full power for some reason, which could be a bad battery (even though it's new—it isn't too common, but it does happen sometimes that they have manufacturing defects), a discharged battery, or a bad connection somewhere. Check the battery cables and ground connections. Included in these checks are making sure that the wires themselves are firmly attached to the battery clamps and are not broken or chafed there; I've seen at least one case where the wire looked fine but was actually not attached to the battery clamp internally due to corrosion etc.

Do you have an "emergency start" button that connects in the house battery?

[darsben]

Do you have a solenoid like this?



Could it be bad?
Find the switch press it and see if you hear clicking at solenoid?

Solenoid should be replaced BUT can be carefully removed taken apart and the big inside washer and terminals cleaned. It will probably work for a while

[ScottG]

Jwalli22 wrote:
Ill give that a shot. when you turn the key it chugs once then just clicks...

One click or a bunch of them that just keep going?

[Jwalli22]

Ill give that a shot. when you turn the key it chugs once then just clicks...

[enblethen]

Does the lights on the dash light up when the ignition switch is in the run position?
No could indicate that the fuse link has burnt out. GM chassis fuse link is down by starter, Ford chassis the fuse link is near the starter solenoid on firewall area.
If the lights come on, it could be the neutral safety switch. Apply parking brake and try to start in neutral rather then park. Wiggle the shift lever while holding in start position.
Could also be connector on the ignition switch if GM. It is mounted at base of steering column