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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Rocky1down on May 28, 2022, 11:27:04 am

Title: Clicking sound from relay in front passenger side 1995 U300
Post by: Rocky1down on May 28, 2022, 11:27:04 am
Still trying to chase down no start issue on our 1995 U300. Should the relay in the panel  in front of passenger seat make a loud clicking noise when key is turned on
Title: Re: Clicking sound from relay in front passenger side 1995 U300
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on May 28, 2022, 11:34:38 am
Our year earlier U300/Detroit has a relay in front of the driver's seat. Are you talking about the large silver relay? If so, it should click when the key is turned on. The ground for it (and others) is just several inches away.

Pierce
Title: Re: Clicking sound from relay in front passenger side 1995 U300
Post by: wolfe10 on May 28, 2022, 11:37:59 am
Likely describing the IGNITION SOLENOID.  One large lug has chassis battery voltage all the time.  The other large lug has that same voltage only when the ignition is on.

The ignition solenoid supplies power to those items that only operate with the ignition on-- dash HVAC fan as an example that is easy to verify.
Title: Re: Clicking sound from relay in front passenger side 1995 U300
Post by: Rocky1down on May 28, 2022, 12:46:51 pm
This a picture of it. We went and got a new one at Napa truck dealer. Still won't start
Title: Re: Clicking sound from relay in front passenger side 1995 U300
Post by: Rocky1down on May 28, 2022, 12:51:29 pm
Batteries show 13, relay showed 13 and gauge when key is turned shows 10 volts
Title: Re: Clicking sound from relay in front passenger side 1995 U300
Post by: Rocky1down on May 28, 2022, 12:53:50 pm
Is there a possibility the place that replaced our windshield could have pinched a wire or messed up the ignition try to start it?
Title: Re: Clicking sound from relay in front passenger side 1995 U300
Post by: Rocky1down on May 28, 2022, 01:21:55 pm
Got the batteries out. Each measures 12.68 amps when checked with meter
Title: Re: Clicking sound from relay in front passenger side 1995 U300
Post by: wolfe10 on May 28, 2022, 01:26:09 pm
Suspect that is 12.68 VOLTS which is very close to a fully charged 12 VDC battery.

But, while it is out, take it to any place that sells batteries and have it LOAD TESTED. 

It could show fine surface charge, but suffer a substantial voltage drop when a load is placed on it.
Title: Re: Clicking sound from relay in front passenger side 1995 U300
Post by: Hans&Marjet on May 28, 2022, 01:35:57 pm
Is there a possibility the place that replaced our windshield could have pinched a wire or messed up the ignition try to start it?
Very doubtful
Title: Re: Clicking sound from relay in front passenger side 1995 U300
Post by: Rocky1down on May 28, 2022, 01:57:25 pm
We had the batteries load tested. They all tested good
Title: Re: Clicking sound from relay in front passenger side 1995 U300
Post by: WS6_Keith on May 28, 2022, 02:17:39 pm
I'm assuming that the starter does not turn the engine over, based on your posts?  Since you see the voltage drop when you turn the key to start, I'm guessing the starter or starter solenoid may be the issue.  When my starter died, it would pull the batteries down to 9.5V or and not turn over, just click or nothing at all when I turned the key to start.
Title: Re: Clicking sound from relay in front passenger side 1995 U300
Post by: Rocky1down on May 28, 2022, 02:37:09 pm
We took the starter out yesterday and had it checked and it tested good
Title: Re: Clicking sound from relay in front passenger side 1995 U300
Post by: oldguy on May 28, 2022, 02:46:44 pm
When a starter won't work I like starting at the starter solenoid and jump the solenoid.
If the solenoid won't pull in then the problem is batteries, cables or connections or the
solenoid. If the solenoid  pulls in then its starter, batteries, cables or connections. If the
starter works from jumping then it could be the relay or the starter switch or wiring.
Title: Re: Clicking sound from relay in front passenger side 1995 U300
Post by: Rocky1down on May 28, 2022, 04:03:26 pm
Cleaned all the battery connections. Put them back in and it started right up.
Thanks for all the advice!