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Topic: Pre departure issue/update (Read 778 times) previous topic - next topic

Pre departure issue/update

Doing my predeparture run up and check, I am experiencing what I believe is this part behind the panel giving an engagement sound in two parts.  First a tsh then a bell like ching.  Sounds like it is trying to switch on and off.  Opened panel took picture and replaced panel.  Now it stopped.  Before I start running home any ideas what is happening? 
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Pre departure issue

Reply #1 –
The plug configuration looks like a turn signal flasher, but flashers don't sound like that.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Pre departure issue

Reply #2 –
Thanks Craneman.  The right signal light was giving us some issues and I thought it was loose closer to the wheel and adjusted.  When I turned right all of the dash lights dimmed in unison.  But that did not reoccur.  It looks like what might be the ground wire that is loose but doesn't seem serviceable short of replacement.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Pre departure issue

Reply #3 –
We recently had the light mod so a loose wire makes sense. Thanks again.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Pre departure issue

Reply #4 –
Anytime lights dim in unison, a bad ground is number on my list. Bad ground could be at the turn signal itself.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Pre departure electrical dash issue

Reply #5 –
Going to check grounds as problem is beyond lights.  Safe at home again.

Early problem turn signals but my poor left ear and good right made for a misidentification on my part today.  Craneman correctly identified the picture and that it doesn't make that sound. 

Current problem: The the double click occurs only when applying the brakes or retarder engages.  It clicks waits about 10 seconds and repeats.  When released and rolling the clicking stops.  On the way back I turned off the retarder which isolated it to the half dozen lights over the 123 miles home.  Same dimming when the clicking occurs.  It almost seemed like air and a metal diaphragm poping back. 

Recent dash electrical work included removing the Javelin system.  Going to start there.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Pre departure issue

Reply #6 –
George,

I had a similar problem with the clicking sound after I would turn on the dock lights. Turned out to be a relay clicking because of high current draw. Changing to LED dock lights fixed the problem without changing the relay. You might put a wooden stick to your ear and each relay under the dash top one at a time to be able to identify if one of them might be the problem and what they are associated with.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Pre departure issue

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
George,

I had a similar problem with the clicking sound after I would turn on the dock lights. Turned out to be a relay clicking because of high current draw. Changing to LED dock lights fixed the problem without changing the relay. You might put a wooden stick to your ear and each relay under the dash top one at a time to be able to identify if one of them might be the problem and what they are associated with.

Pierce

Pierce, what lights did you use for docking light replacement? Thanks!

1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Pre departure issue/update

Reply #8 –
We removed the passenger side panel where the clicking originated.  My friend started going down the rows of thermal/relays/fuse, sorry I don't know the correct name.  I held the brake pedal down so the clicking would continue and read the schematic.  Figured it had to be T3 as that was for brake lights..  Sent Charlie to the back to watch the lights.  They came on when the pedal was applied but with the first click went out and back on with the second click.  We checked out the current flow and it was excessive.  ( thanks for the feedback Pierce!) The heat was causing it to protect the wiring and then reset itself.  This would continue as long as I held the pedal down.

I got that sickening feeling of an apprentice thinking there is a lot of wire between the brake pedal and that taillight and somewhere there is a short.  Then I remembered that the wires in the Blue Ox power cable head had seemed lose when I inserted it and thought to check it when we got home in a couple of hours.

I pulled the cable and the clicking stoped immediately.  Opened it up and sure enough it had shorted and was warm to the touch.  It appears that the threaded bolt that holds the wiring tightly in place had vibrated out. 

Lesson learned...finish the checklist and not become distracted.  We would have found it when we safety checked the toad but started problem solving.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P
 

Re: Pre departure issue/update

Reply #9 –
George,
I like a good ending!!! And a cheap one!!!
Speedbird 1.
2001 U320 Build #5865
Daihatsu Rocky Toad
VW Touareg
'82 F100 Stepside
Beech' Debonair