Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: cynjac on March 12, 2021, 11:29:56 pm

Title: Power to Side Clearance Lights - 2002 Foretravel U320 40'
Post by: cynjac on March 12, 2021, 11:29:56 pm
Clearance lights on front and rear of motor coach working and the lower clearance lights near the front are working when the parking headlight switch is on. The two upper side clearance lights (mid coach) are not working due to lack of power to these 2 lights.
All fuses appear to be good.

It appears that these 2 lights are connected together and then tie in to the clearance light circuit somewhere on the coach for power. I am assuming that this connection must be broken or disconnected. I looked at schematics I have and what's online and have not been able to locate this connection.

Does anyone happen to know where these 2 lights tie into power? 

PS - this is on my brother in law"s 2002 U320 40' Foretravel .

Thanks,

jack
Title: Re: Power to Side Clearance Lights - 2002 Foretravel U320 40'
Post by: master2301 on March 12, 2021, 11:41:23 pm
The power wire ties in to the positive wire. The ground is the coach. Might check to see if the grounding to the coach is corroded.
Title: Re: Power to Side Clearance Lights - 2002 Foretravel U320 40'
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on March 13, 2021, 09:53:55 am
Almost nothing in a Foretravel is coach grounded. All lights have ground wires that that lead to common ground bus bars. The rear engine subframe is connected to a common negative 12v post near the foot of the bed. Likely something similar in the dash area to the front subframe.
Title: Re: Power to Side Clearance Lights - 2002 Foretravel U320 40'
Post by: wolfe10 on March 13, 2021, 09:58:29 am
But, no problem adding another ground from the clearance light to any clean metal of the coach for that very small amp load.
Title: Re: Power to Side Clearance Lights - 2002 Foretravel U320 40'
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on March 13, 2021, 11:26:02 am
Upper middle clearance lights are mounted on the side wall of the coach about 4" down from the upper drip cap. On my coach it appears the wires are embedded in the wall.  You may be able to gain access behind n upper cabinet but I don't recall seeing an access point (hole) in mine.  I was going to change my clearance light but there was no extra wire available to pull out and connect new wires.

Metal parts in your coach may be connected to ground or not.  Best to connect to a known ground wire if possible for reliablity.
Title: Re: Power to Side Clearance Lights - 2002 Foretravel U320 40'
Post by: cynjac on March 13, 2021, 01:14:52 pm
My thoughts were the power and/or grounds for theses 2 lights should connect to a feed wire either on the front cap or back cap and that's where I would find the problem.

I am going to try running a ground from the light to a ground on the coach to verify my ground later today or tomorrow morning.

jack
 
Title: Re: Power to Side Clearance Lights - 2002 Foretravel U320 40'
Post by: Woody & Sitka on March 14, 2021, 11:22:12 am
Good idea to check for ground first.  This has been my go-to tool for diagnosing power issues like this.  It is especially useful for 2 wire circuits since you can inject power or ground to any wire through the insulation jacket if need be.

  Amazon.com: Power Probe III Clamshell - Red (PP3CSRED) [Car Automotive... (https://www.amazon.com/Power-Probe-III-Clamshell-Automotive/dp/B00G4YUWMC/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=power+probe&qid=1615734893&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&sr=8-7)

There are chinee knock-off's out there for less dough, but I've had my PP3 for 10 years, used the hell out of it, and it has saved me a lot of wasted time and expense in throwing parts at a simple wiring problem.  Woody.

My thoughts were the power and/or grounds for theses 2 lights should connect to a feed wire either on the front cap or back cap and that's where I would find the problem.

I am going to try running a ground from the light to a ground on the coach to verify my ground later today or tomorrow morning.

jack
 

Title: Re: Power to Side Clearance Lights - 2002 Foretravel U320 40'
Post by: craneman on March 14, 2021, 11:49:40 am
I've mentioned before on the forum the value of the Power Probe's. Solved three problems on coaches at the Q in '19 and having an electric crane for 25 years had to have one on the truck and one at home.