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Topic: Coach will not start (Read 798 times) previous topic - next topic

Coach will not start

Hello everyone, I have a 1996 U320. At the moment the coach will not start. There are no noises. no clicking no cranking nothing at all. All the dash lights come on when turning the key. The Shifter displays N when turning the key. Ive tested all 3 batteries with a multimeter. All 3 of them are reading 12.5V. Ive tested the solenoid behind the kicker panel up front. reading 12V when the key is in off position. Reading 0.14V when key is in On position. I have tried using the start button in the engine bay. Same thing, no noises no nothing. I've tried tapping on the solenoid, that also did not work. I have not tried tapping the starter itself yet as im not 100% sure where it is. Any thoughts or ideas? Coach was ran 2 weeks ago and everything was fine.

Thanks for your time.

Re: Coach will not start

Reply #1 –
two leading causes of starting problems

loose connections, especially at the battery cabling and solenoid failure
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Coach will not start

Reply #2 –
Pull the cables off the battery and clean both the post, the lead terminal connector and the cable end. Use a file on the cable end until you see bright copper across the whole surface.

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

Re: Coach will not start

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
two leading causes of starting problems

loose connections, especially at the battery cabling and solenoid failure
I've double checked all connections at the battery. cleaned the posts and terminals. i tested the solenoid on the starter and that one is reading good. like i said before the solenoid behind the kicker panel is also reading good. but i found another solenoid on the left side of the engine. reading 0 volts with key in the off position and when turning the key it reads .2V. Also it looks pretty beat up. I dont have a wiring diagram or anything so im not sure what the solenoid is used for. also tried tapping on the starter and that doesnt do anything either. I gotta be missing something here coach ran perfect 2 weeks ago.

Re: Coach will not start

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Pull the cables off the battery and clean both the post, the lead terminal connector and the cable end. Use a file on the cable end until you see bright copper across the whole surface.

Pierce
when you say cable end what do you mean exactly. Sorry for my ignorance when it comes to these things im still learning. but i am pretty handy lol

Re: Coach will not start

Reply #5 –
OK, take the terminals off the batteries. It's the thing that goes down on the battery posts when you connect the new battery. Then you can see where the cables go onto the terminal. They should be check and if any sign of corrosion, they should be pulled off and cleaned. I replaced all the hardware with stainless where ever I could. This includes nuts, washers, bolts. Cheap and they don't corrode. Buy at any hardware store. Post and terminal cleaner at any auto parts store. A file from your tool box.

Here is a link to my old post with photos: Battery/Electrical issue on my '93 U300 GV? Fixed! Thanks all

Shoot me a PM if you have any questions. We all were new to this at one time.

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

Re: Coach will not start

Reply #6 –
"reading 12V when the key is in off position. Reading 0.14V when key is in On position"  This sounds like the problem....

Are you sure?  which side of the solenoid are you measuring? Measure both sides. Your readings sound backward.

BTW, the neutral-start relay can also cause the same symptom. We bypassed our neutral-start relay.

Re: Coach will not start

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Kris239 –
when you say cable end what do you mean exactly. Sorry for my ignorance when it comes to these things im still learning. but i am pretty handy lol
Just to show what is meant for cleaning.
Future Foretravel Owners
2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Retired USAF, Retired DOD Civ's
FAA A&P, Indust. Eng., Acft Depot Lvl. Maint.
Larry and Becky Rountree

Re: Coach will not start

Reply #8 –
Where are you reading the 12 volts and almost nothing. If it is right on the battery, the battery is dead and if it is some where else
you have a bad connection or bad wire or cable that won't let any current through.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Coach will not start

Reply #9 –
thanks everyone. will grab a file tomorrow and some cleaner and go at it and see if that'll do it. will report back with my results!
 

Re: Coach will not start

Reply #10 –
Kris  ----  If the things you are trying dont fix it, you may want to check the brushes and brush rigging by disconnecting the power cable at the starter and take a resistance reading to ground (the starter housing will do).  Should be very low resistance to ground. If open circuited, there in  lies the problem.  Have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'