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Dash Fan Switch- intermittent problem

July 22, 2014, 12:15:19 pm

Well, we are finally on our way to Canada with a long list of projects that didn't get finished. I was going to service my dash A/C, which still works (not as cold as I would like), but I didn't get around to it. Anyway when starting out from a campground in Menifee, the dash fan fan wouldn't come on. I checked the relays by the door and the breakers in the storage bay, and all seemed good. I really wanted to have the dash a/c working because we are going up the 15 through Las Vegas and Utah. We needed to get going, so I buttoned things up and started her up. Now, for no reason I can discern, the dash fan is blowing again and the A/C is working as before. I have read in other threads that the ignition solenoid can be the cause, but I realized that I don't know where it is on our coach. I have read that it is the same part as the booster solenoid, but I can't find any thing that looks like that. Ideas and suggestions are welcome!
Don

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Re: Dash Fan Switch- intermittent problem

Reply #1 – July 22, 2014, 12:50:32 pm

Don & Tys,

I had the same problem before and after changing the dash solenoid.  It turned out to be the ground connection on the blower motor.  Mine was easy to get to under the dash on the passengers side. It's worked fine ever since cleaned the connection and changed out the corroded screw.  I would check there first if it's easy to get to.

Wish we were following you guys!  It's hot here

Jerry and Cindy

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Re: Dash Fan Switch- intermittent problem

Reply #2 – July 22, 2014, 01:31:51 pm

In my coach there are 2 solenoids behind the panel in front of the passenger seat. They are black and square made by bosch and near the bottom of the panel. I believe one or both are activated by the ignition switch.

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Re: Dash Fan Switch- intermittent problem

Reply #3 – July 22, 2014, 03:17:10 pm

Don,
It could be the fan itself. A while back my fan stopped working and I put a new one in. Once I had the old one out I drilled out the rivets and found that one of the brushes had stuck. I cleaned out the gunk and rerivited it back together a s a spare. In your coach the fan is easily accessible. The fan is a standard GM truck fan/blower. I bought mine from FT for about $55.00. Local NAPA should be less than $25.00. There have been some earlier threads on the fan replacement, and I believe there are some part numbers given in those threads.
Good luck,
Rick

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Re: Dash Fan Switch- intermittent problem

Reply #4 – July 22, 2014, 06:12:15 pm

On my 95 u320 the solenoid is on the passenger side and very easy to get to. I would also check ground connections. Bad grounds have always been a problem for me on a variety on switches etc.

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Re: Dash Fan Switch- intermittent problem

Reply #5 – July 22, 2014, 06:29:23 pm

Don, have a safe journey. How far north are you going?

Larry

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Re: Dash Fan Switch- intermittent problem

Reply #6 – July 22, 2014, 10:03:46 pm

Thanks for the suggestions. We also have two Bosch relays on the passenger side electrical distribution panel. Are these, taken as a pair, what serves as the ignition solenoid? I haven't had time to study the wiring diagram since this started... Maybe tonight. The good news is that it worked all day long.
Thanks for the good wishes Larry. We will be going as far north as Edmonton in Alberta. Then will be going west to British Columbia, and finally down the West Coast back to San Diego. We won't be coming back to SoCal until Thanksgiving or so. So many projects unfinished... However, I brought my resonator, new Converter and a few other things just in case I get a chance to do some projects on this trip. I brought the inverter with me primarily because the thought of having our 15-year-old inverter die on the trip and having to do something ad hoc until we got back was not appealing. This way if it dies, at least I have something to replace it with. If it doesn't, then perhaps I will get a chance to install it at some point along the journey.
Don

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Re: Dash Fan Switch- intermittent problem

Reply #7 – July 22, 2014, 11:57:04 pm

There are many ignition powered small circuit breakers (CB) behind the panel in front of the co-pilot. All of them are connected to relay, relays, or solenoids (RRS) usually mounted on bottom center of breaker panel. Just follow the CB wires and don't assume what the RRS look like. Ignition key turns RRS on connecting the Ignition CBs to the start battery. Use a meter to determine if you have a RRS problem.

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