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Kelly
Newbie
Posts:2
Registered Users
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| 03/26/2008 10:45 PM |
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Hi all, great forum!
I have a 1985 Frontier FA27 Class A motorhome running the chevy 454. I am experiencing a bit of a problem. When I go to start the motorhome sometimes it starts and sometimes (more often) it does not.
Battery is charges, new ignition installed, wires are tight, ground appears to be good. I have had it to two mechanics and they say it is fine, of course it starts for them ! According to the mechanics the starter is fine.
When I turn the key sometimes I get nothin at all just silence, and the brake light lights up. Other times I hear a clicking noise, brake light lights up but still no cranking at the starter. If I keep turning the key eventually I get lucky and the starter cranks.
Needless to say this is very frusterating, especially on ferries or fillingup with gas and not knowing if the motohome will start up when I am done!
So any ideas what the problem may be? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Kevin |
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COOPERHAWK
Moderator
Expert
Posts:838
Administrators
East Central Minnesota
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| 03/27/2008 10:19 AM |
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| Check you ground strap to the battery compartment. I have found ground straps to be a common problem. |
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1985 Airstream 345 Turbo-Diesel
VFW,Legion, NRA
FAA Air Traffic Control Supervisor (Retired)
http://www.cooperhawk.net
mailto:jimcooper@cooperhawk.net
"People are okay in ones and twos. After that number they tend to choose up sides and wear arm bands and berets." |
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Jim Elliott
Camper
Posts:63
Registered Users
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| 03/27/2008 12:18 PM |
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Kelly, I suspect the ignition key setup and to find a new one is going to be "tuff"
Another suspect item is inside the "Dawg house" and it's a small tin can looking device screwed down
to the wide arm just right behind the alternator, When the key is turned to start that "tin can RELAY"
supplies power through the (S) lead to crank up the starter.
You could grab some power off of the power post next to the arm/can and look for the PINK wire
which is the (S) lead to the starter which will crank over the engine.....
If the relay is bad MOST good auto stores carry them and the cost is $20.00 or under, Buy 2 and
always keep 1 as a spare.....
Jim |
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Kelly
Newbie
Posts:2
Registered Users
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| 03/27/2008 8:33 PM |
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Thanks folks, checked the ground strap, it seems to be fine. The ignition key setup is new, put in a 69 Chev ingition...still could be the problem though. I'll have to check out the power post later. It has started snowing again up here (I am near Edmonton Alberta) so I'll wait a few weeks for it to be warmer.
Again appreciate the tips!
Kevin |
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Jim Elliott
Camper
Posts:63
Registered Users
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| 03/27/2008 9:44 PM |
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Posted By Kelly on 03/27/2008 8:33 PM
Thanks folks, checked the ground strap, it seems to be fine. The ignition key setup is new, put in a 69 Chev ingition...still could be the problem though. I'll have to check out the power post later. It has started snowing again up here (I am near Edmonton Alberta) so I'll wait a few weeks for it to be warmer.
Again appreciate the tips!
Kevin
Kelly, When you retest the ignition key system you might want it out of the housing........
I would hook up a meter to the "S" lead at the ignition switch for a starting point or ELSE
hook the meter on the box (both sides) which would eliminate the switch removal and
crank it over......I know it's a pain tracking down any type of electrical problem but I feel
you can do it....
Jim
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capt.dan
Classic Camper
Posts:126
Registered Users
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| 03/30/2008 12:55 AM |
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A friend got a push button for a horn and just turned the key on and then hit the button and it would kick that relay in and it would start right up! That was a 72 Sprotcoach. 396 V8.
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Jim Elliott
Camper
Posts:63
Registered Users
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| 03/30/2008 12:49 PM |
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Posted By capt.dan on 03/30/2008 12:55 AM
A friend got a push button for a horn and just turned the key on and then hit the button and it would kick that relay in and it would start right up! That was a 72 Sprotcoach. 396 V8.
To eliminate the relay totally just use the "15 amp" button and power up one side and run the other side directly to the starter "S" lead.
Jim |
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