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Lost power today

While going to the truck stop to get fuel and propane today, Driving along and all of a sudden volt meter goes crazy and i lose power. was on a large one way street so I was able to get her over threw the 4 ways on and tried to start it zip nada, no dash lights no nothing. So sat there a min to try and figure out what happen. two or three min went by and i tried and bingo started. So i figured I would keep going and and get to the truck stop. So i put my left blinker on to enter the freeway and gauges go nutty and volt gauge dip to way low turned off the blinker and bang all back to normal. Long story short I got it home and started trouble shooting. I have read some of the post on the forum about start solenoids and thinking I have a bad one. Any thoughts ? I tested it a couple of times in the driveway and it did the same thing. when I was testing the solenoid I had power to the battery side and none to the other two contacts. So i turned on the key and had power to the small wire and the battery side and no power to the other large bolt. sat there feeling stupid came in had a cup of coffee went back out and bingo it work, So what do you guys think ?  Thanks Andy
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: Lost power today

Reply #1
obviously a bad contact and yes it sounds like the first culprit is solenoid.
Take it off and take it apart to see what copper contact plate is like. If burn marks give it a light clean up and reinstall together and crimp over sides of end cap again. Should be good to go.
I would do this first then you know that is now good even if it turns out not to be the problem. Also check battery leads and make sure tight.
Fixing the solenopid will take 30 mins tops.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Lost power today

Reply #2
Yup, you have properly diagnosed a failed ignition solenoid.

Here is the bomb-proof replacement (rated for 1 MILLION cycles) and a continuous rating of 250 amps: L Solenoid - 12/24V DC 250A - Blue Sea Systems

In an emergency, you can label (even a bread tie) the wires on one large lug and CAREFULLY combine them with the wires on the other large lug-- effectively "closing" the solenoid.  Be sure to return wires to turn off the ignition when you stop.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Lost power today

Reply #3
If you replace the solenoid, I recommend you take Brett's advice and dig deep for a Blue Sea. I replaced mine (preemptive) with a Cole Hersee and it failed in a few months. Can't take them apart without destroying them.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Lost power today

Reply #4
Can't take them apart without destroying them.
jor
Not according to John Haygarth he says taking them apart and fixing them is a piece of cake. Want a watch him do it in Q, as I was unsuccessful in repairing my failed solenoid, couldn't get into the darn thing.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Lost power today

Reply #5
 Anyone wanting to have theirs taken apart is welcome to watch it when we get there. I have done my Brothers 2 on his GV and he agreed it was easy and put them back and worked. Plus 4 other units.
I reckon if the original has been working for so many years then it has to be half decent model, so why not fix it and keep using it??
Not rocket science unless you are ham fisted!
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Lost power today

Reply #6
I must be ham fisted, couldn't get mine apart. Gonna watch you in Q though.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Lost power today

Reply #7
Thanks Guys I have a week or so before we head south, so better now then on the road 8)
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: Lost power today

Reply #8
andy
you tube has a few videos on how to test a solenoid.

Re: Lost power today

Reply #9
Thanks Wayne, I went and took a look pretty good stuff.
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: Lost power today

Reply #10
Manual switch. As requested by a member and for others interested I posted new pictures of the kick panel side of the wiring at the link below.

Dash solenoid removal
Rick

Re: Lost power today

Reply #11
I'm with Brett.  Upgraded to the Blue Sea Solenoid two years ago.  With a million cycles it should outlive me.  I would rather not refresh an old solenoid that will fail again but upgrade for reliability.
Tom and Linda
1995 U280SE #4636

Re: Lost power today

Reply #12
Quote
I reckon if the original has been working for so many years then it has to be half decent model, so why not fix it and keep using it??
Not rocket science unless you are ham fisted!
I'm referring to the Cole Hersee replacements. I was not successful in disassembling one of those.
Signed: Ham F.
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

 

Re: Lost power today

Reply #13
Well I'm up and running, Made a few trips on the interweb and found some of the items, but was unsure when I would get them. So I started my search here in Billings and found a Cole Hersey and got it installed. I'm still going to do something different. I did discover I had to disconnect all my grounds on my battery banks to kill the power to the Solenode. So I'm going to install a battery disconnect switch that kills all the power. Thanks for all the help Gents learned a few things in the process.
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921