Hello everyone, I have a 1996 U320. At the moment the coach will not start. There are no noises. no clicking no cranking nothing at all. All the dash lights come on when turning the key. The Shifter displays N when turning the key. Ive tested all 3 batteries with a multimeter. All 3 of them are reading 12.5V. Ive tested the solenoid behind the kicker panel up front. reading 12V when the key is in off position. Reading 0.14V when key is in On position. I have tried using the start button in the engine bay. Same thing, no noises no nothing. I've tried tapping on the solenoid, that also did not work. I have not tried tapping the starter itself yet as im not 100% sure where it is. Any thoughts or ideas? Coach was ran 2 weeks ago and everything was fine.
Thanks for your time.
two leading causes of starting problems
loose connections, especially at the battery cabling and solenoid failure
Pull the cables off the battery and clean both the post, the lead terminal connector and the cable end. Use a file on the cable end until you see bright copper across the whole surface.
Pierce
I've double checked all connections at the battery. cleaned the posts and terminals. i tested the solenoid on the starter and that one is reading good. like i said before the solenoid behind the kicker panel is also reading good. but i found another solenoid on the left side of the engine. reading 0 volts with key in the off position and when turning the key it reads .2V. Also it looks pretty beat up. I dont have a wiring diagram or anything so im not sure what the solenoid is used for. also tried tapping on the starter and that doesnt do anything either. I gotta be missing something here coach ran perfect 2 weeks ago.
when you say cable end what do you mean exactly. Sorry for my ignorance when it comes to these things im still learning. but i am pretty handy lol
OK, take the terminals off the batteries. It's the thing that goes down on the battery posts when you connect the new battery. Then you can see where the cables go onto the terminal. They should be check and if any sign of corrosion, they should be pulled off and cleaned. I replaced all the hardware with stainless where ever I could. This includes nuts, washers, bolts. Cheap and they don't corrode. Buy at any hardware store. Post and terminal cleaner at any auto parts store. A file from your tool box.
Here is a link to my old post with photos: Battery/Electrical issue on my '93 U300 GV? Fixed! Thanks all (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=36205.msg343353#msg343353)
Shoot me a PM if you have any questions. We all were new to this at one time.
Pierce
"reading 12V when the key is in off position. Reading 0.14V when key is in On position" This sounds like the problem....
Are you sure? which side of the solenoid are you measuring? Measure both sides. Your readings sound backward.
BTW, the neutral-start relay can also cause the same symptom. We bypassed our neutral-start relay.
Just to show what is meant for cleaning.
Where are you reading the 12 volts and almost nothing. If it is right on the battery, the battery is dead and if it is some where else
you have a bad connection or bad wire or cable that won't let any current through.
thanks everyone. will grab a file tomorrow and some cleaner and go at it and see if that'll do it. will report back with my results!
Kris ---- If the things you are trying dont fix it, you may want to check the brushes and brush rigging by disconnecting the power cable at the starter and take a resistance reading to ground (the starter housing will do). Should be very low resistance to ground. If open circuited, there in lies the problem. Have a great day ---- Fritz