Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Headlights (Read 964 times) previous topic - next topic

Headlights

The Headlights and Aux lights on my 2000 U320 stopped working. The running lights still work.
I talked with James at FT and he suggested that it may be the Smart wheel controller. I am wondering if any forum member has had this issue with their coach. I would like to diagnose it but not sure where to begin. I checked to see that there is voltage at the headlight switch and there is.

Thank you for any suggestions.
2000, U320 36' with Cummins 450, Toad - 2016 Ford CMax Energi
Previous MHs; 1970 Winnebago, 1973 FMC 2900R, much later a heavily modified 1975 FMC 2900R.

Re: Headlights

Reply #1 –
Check the bulb plug .. thses are made with the old chevy plugs and prone to fry and melt.. possible it melted and shorted.. fuse


Id pull the bulb first to see if the socket has power

My avalanche stopped working one night.. went to the dealer to get it fixed.. turned out that both bulbs burned out the same night

I know, I know.. just my luck

Re: Headlights

Reply #2 –
I would pull out the schematics and see how they are wired. Then do some testing with a voltmeter. My guess is that only the low beams are out, as the fog lights only come on when the low beams are always on.  Might be a relay.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Headlights

Reply #3 –
Had the same symptoms, got the same advice from James T. As usual, he was right.

Find your smart wheel controller. Mine is under the false floor under the cabinet in the center of the dash. Check wires 101 and 225 at connector p12. Both wires and the p12 connector were fried. New controller fixed it. About $250 from FOT. Manufacturer will sell it, probably cheaper.

If you need to replace the controller, don't forget to order a new connector for the wires. Had to fake it as none available in Laredo and we were crossing into Mexico that weekend.
Mike & Molly Patronick
2001 U320 40'
2011 Forester

Re: Headlights

Reply #4 –
Quote from: morninghill –
Had the same symptoms, got the same advice from James T. As usual, he was right.

Find your smart wheel controller. Mine is under the false floor under the cabinet in the center of the dash. Check wires 101 and 225 at connector p12. Both wires and the p12 connector were fried. New controller fixed it. About $250 from FOT. Manufacturer will sell it, probably cheaper.

If you need to replace the controller, don't forget to order a new connector for the wires. Had to fake it as none available in Laredo and we were crossing into Mexico that weekend.
Good info I book marked it.
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: Headlights

Reply #5 –
Quote from: morninghill –
Had the same symptoms, got the same advice from James T. As usual, he was right.

Find your smart wheel controller. Mine is under the false floor under the cabinet in the center of the dash. Check wires 101 and 225 at connector p12. Both wires and the p12 connector were fried. New controller fixed it. About $250 from FOT. Manufacturer will sell it, probably cheaper.

If you need to replace the controller, don't forget to order a new connector for the wires. Had to fake it as none available in Laredo and we were crossing into Mexico that weekend.

Mike, Thank you for your information.  I hope to find time this weekend to check it out.
2000, U320 36' with Cummins 450, Toad - 2016 Ford CMax Energi
Previous MHs; 1970 Winnebago, 1973 FMC 2900R, much later a heavily modified 1975 FMC 2900R.

Re: Headlights

Reply #6 –
Quote from: morninghill –
Had the same symptoms, got the same advice from James T. As usual, he was right.
Doesn't affect us directly, but reading this as a impartial observer, I would want to know WHY the wires fried at the controller.  Any wires that heat up enough to char really get my attention.  That circuit is obviously not protected.  Did Triana offer any clue as to why this happens?
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: Headlights

Reply #7 –
When I replaced the headlights with HIDs, I used the hot side of the ignition solenoid and ran a new FUSED heavier line down into the nose where I installed a relay. Turning on the headlights triggers the relay and they get full voltage while the load on the dash switch is minimal. Easy to troubleshoot now.

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

Re: Headlights

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
When I replaced the headlights with HIDs, I used the hot side of the ignition solenoid and ran a new FUSED heavier line down into the nose where I installed a relay. Turning on the headlights triggers the relay and they get full voltage while the load on the dash switch is minimal. Easy to troubleshoot now.

Pierce


That's an excellent idea.  Occasionally when the four HID lights are triggered on my  coach they drop system voltage enough to throw snake eyes on the transmission controller.  Reusing existing wiring was not such a good idea.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS
 

Re: Headlights

Reply #9 –
James T opined the wires were fried by either a loose connection or by too high a draw from the headlight upgrade.

Possibly a combination. We've been driving with marker lights and low beams during the day for the past 4 years. Not any more. Marker lights only.

Forgot to mention, James T said he thought an emergency repair might be to splice 101 and 225 together, bypassing the smart wheel controller. He also thought this might result in only being able to turn the headlights off by breaking the splice. He was clear he was NOT recommending this.
Mike & Molly Patronick
2001 U320 40'
2011 Forester