Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Hella light question (Read 508 times) previous topic - next topic

Hella light question

since I bought our coach I have been trouble shooting issues that have come up. I thank everyone for the great support and info so far. todays issue is the hella driving lights. the switch is on the smart wheel, when I push the switch the dash lights go out and come back on but the hellas never come on. I thought I would start with the relay , I assume there is one for them behind the kick panel on the passengers side. can some identify which one it is or where I should start... the ocd in me would like to fix this problem. any help is appreciated....
does anyone know how many miles of wire are in this dad-gum coach???  SMH!!!
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Hella light question

Reply #1 –
Don't know about your coach, but our driving lights only come on if the engine is running. Took me almost four years to discover that. (Hate to admit the DW told me) :))  :-[
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Hella light question

Reply #2 –
Same here, mine only work with the engine running.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Hella light question

Reply #3 –
The fog lights on our coach have a switch on the left side console marked "Aux Lights", and they are only on when the ignition key is on and the headlight switch is all the way on. The buttons at the top of each side of the smart wheel are for flashing the headlights (left side button), and flashing the clearance lights (right side button). The one that douses the dash lights when pressed is the one that flashes the clearance lights. At least that is how it is on our 99' U270...
Don
Quote from: hdff –
since I bought our coach I have been trouble shooting issues that have come up. I thank everyone for the great support and info so far. todays issue is the hella driving lights. the switch is on the smart wheel, when I push the switch the dash lights go out and come back on but the hellas never come on. I thought I would start with the relay , I assume there is one for them behind the kick panel on the passengers side. can some identify which one it is or where I should start... the ocd in me would like to fix this problem. any help is appreciated....
does anyone know how many miles of wire are in this dad-gum coach???  SMH!!!
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Hella light question

Reply #4 –
On your 2000, the aux light switch receives power from the headlight circuit which is on when the key is on. On my coach lifted aux panel to left of dash, I replaced power from headlight circuit line on aux switch with an always on source 12 volt source [think it docking light right above it.] That way any time you turn on aux light switch, fog lights come on. Handy for coming into campsites late at night. Also replaced hella with flood type leds, half the current and much brighter.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Hella light question

Reply #5 –
Quote from: hdff –
...does anyone know how many miles of wire are in this dad-gum coach???
No - nobody knows.  There was one elderly senior assembly technician at the Foretravel factory who knew, but sadly he passed away...
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Hella light question

Reply #6 –
When I bought my coach..it had a crash hole in the generator door..quite a good hole and crunch. I took door off hinges and brought to my body shop..took all the insulation off the inside and started repairing the door...I had to remove driving lights or fog lights...one was cracked and both covers were shot...

The more I thought about them...the more I thought they were poorly thought out..so I removed them and fiber glassed in the openings. It looks very nice without them. I did not see myself getting out of the coach and taking the lens covers off of them...That's just me.
2001 U320 42 tag with two slides
Build number 1583
Love this forum for all of it's help and members

Re: Hella light question

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Mike Minegar –
I did not see myself getting out of the coach and taking the lens covers off of them...That's just me.

If I knew I was going to be driving in fog, I'd pull the covers. Like you, I finally left them off.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Hella light question

Reply #8 –
Originally from the factory the hella lights would work with ignition on headlights on dim and the aux light switch on
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Hella light question

Reply #9 –
Quote from: red tractor –
Originally from the factory the hella lights would work with ignition on headlights on dim and the aux light switch on 

Which is stupid if driving in heavy fog. We have that same "feature", only dumber: the fogs only work on high beams!
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Hella light question

Reply #10 –
Quote from: mike leary –
Which is stupid if driving in heavy fog. We have that same "feature", only dumber: the fogs only work on high beams!
As detailed above, you can hook up the fog lights so they will operate any time you want them.  Just need to relocate one wire.  Simple. 
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"