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Topic: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue) (Read 656 times) previous topic - next topic

Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

All was well. We stopped for lunch, and when we turned the key to first click, ALL the dials keep going up and down and the alarm is ringing. Nothing lights up on the dash and it starts ok and I drove a few feet in the truckstop we are at with no problem. I have a call into John at FOT Motorclub, but he must be very busy. Can anyone help??What am I missing here?

[edited topic title to be more descriptive - Michelle]
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

Reply #1 –
Ground cable to chassis steel maybe
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

Reply #2 –
Where do I look?
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

Reply #3 –
What am I looking for?
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

Reply #4 –
Quote from: GleamB –
Nothing lights up on the dash and it starts ok and I drove a few feet in the truckstop we are at with no problem.

This sentence is throwing us-- if an ignition solenoid failure, gauges will not work and transmission shift pad will not illuminate and it will not start.

You have only some of those symptoms. 
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: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

Reply #5 –
Guessing:  Intermittent connection at the ignition switch "RUN" position?  If so, should be able to hear the ignition solenoid opening and closing.
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: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

Reply #6 –
Good idea to check engine battery connections. Remove, clean and replace.

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

Re: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

Reply #7 –
Connections at the ignition solenoid perhaps? Maybe solenoid hasn't completely failed so just low flow through it. When mine failed it would illuminate the Allison display but driving the gauges and lights would cut out.
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

Reply #8 –
OK. Thanks for the responses. I had a call into FT . He was baffled by my problem. Said it could be some regulator for Stuart Warner that THEY DON'T MAKE ANYMORE!!!!.  While I was talking to him, with the engine fired up and the dials jumping up, then down, over and over, and with the alarm bell " dinging away".......it settled down to normal.  Well, for a while. Then my speedometer started to go berserk. Jumped from 25 ( while I was doing 55 ) to 55, to 85 to 25 to 55.......you get the picture. Odometer works fine. Another problem is that there is " fogging " in a few of my gauges . I am heading towards Nac in a few weeks and hope to resolve this and some other issues. If anyone knows a fix to the speedo, and the fogging, please let me know. Everything was working SOOOO well.............
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

Reply #9 –
Check alternator output and battery volts.. mine did this right before I ran out of juice when my alternator died.

Re: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

Reply #10 –
HOW do I do it??
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

Reply #11 –
Does your voltage gauge work? Can you hook up your multi meter so you can see it at the helm.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

Reply #12 –
Ours did something very similar.

Try jumping out the ignition solenoid.........temporarily...... or just replace it and worst case you will have a spare.

I used a 200 amp continuous duty Cole Hersee from NAPA ....... about $60
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

Reply #13 –
Our coaches are different, so your problem may or may not? Be different.
While driving north on I81 thru the Shenandoah Valley the gauges started bouncing around and then went to Zero.
Engine ran just fine.  I had my son pull the dash control panel cover and "tap" or "beat" on the ignition solenoid with a screw driver handle and everything started working as it should.

Stopped at the next Napa and replaced the solenoid and no more problems.
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

Reply #14 –
I have never had to deal with this Solenoid issue that folks are mentioning. Can someone post a picture and a better description of the part (60 dollars at NAPA)?
Would like to know more about what the part does associated to the gauges, I am familiar with instrumentation requireing a Constant Voltage Regulator and it would be nice to know where that is as well.
Thanks in advance for providing more detail about the dash instruments and how they work.
Chuck
Chuck & Brenda
2000 U295
 

Re: Here we go again (ignition/dash gauge issue)

Reply #15 –
Quote from: ChuSmith –
Would like to know more...
Good Morning Chuck!

You might try searching the term "ignition solenoid" on this Forum.  You'll find enough reading material to keep you busy for a good while.

Photos Too!  Ignition Solenoids

Cheers, (another) Chuck
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"