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Topic: Trouble Starting - Ignition solenoid? 95 U300 CAT 3176 (Read 1597 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Trouble Starting - Ignition solenoid? 95 U300 CAT 3176

Reply #40 –
Quote from: craneman –
That is not odd at all it is an indication of a bad connection.
Okay well then that is one more thing in the direction of bad connection then, thanks


One thing to note is I just went and tried to start the generator, started with no issues. Not sure if that eliminates a certain number of the possible bad connections but I am trying to narrow it down as I cannot get easy access under the coach and there are so many wires to chase down. I am now trying to find where the large red cable that comes from the battery bank to the ignition solenoid is located and where it has connection points.

Re: Trouble Starting - Ignition solenoid? 95 U300 CAT 3176

Reply #41 –
Try pulling on your cables one at a time and see if they stretch. You may have a broken
cable.

Re: Trouble Starting - Ignition solenoid? 95 U300 CAT 3176

Reply #42 –
Quote from: GeoKM –
1.  One thing to note is I just went and tried to start the generator, started with no issues.

2.  I am now trying to find where the large red cable that comes from the battery bank to the ignition solenoid is located

3.  and where it has connection points.
1.  Your generator most likely starts off the "Coach" (house) battery bank.  It does not use the same "starting" circuits as the big engine.

2.  Anything (cable, hose, tubing, wire etc) that runs from the rear of the coach to the front of the coach will be located in the galvanized metal pan found in the center of each storage bay, attached to the ceiling of the bay with sheet metal screws.

3.  Look at the electrical schematic I linked in Reply #37.

The most likely place for problems with any battery cable is at the two ends.  Corrosion can work up under the open end of the insulation and weaken the individual strands of wire.  In extreme cases the cable can pull completely loose from the crimped end connector.  If it becomes necessary, you can buy the tool required to attach new end connectors to a cable.

At the urging of tech guru Roger I invested in the proper tools/materials to build my own battery cables.  Have used on several projects.  I highly recommend his recommendations.  See posts linked below:

Battery Cable Lugs

Delco Remy 28SI Alternator Installation


Re: Trouble Starting - Ignition solenoid? 95 U300 CAT 3176

Reply #43 –
Quote from: oldguy –
Try pulling on your cables one at a time and see if they stretch. You may have a broken
cable.
Well well well, so I went back there and started pulling on the cables. I checked the grounds at the engine, frame, and starter first, tugged a little no noticeable stretch. Went to the front and gave it a try... the same thing. Then I went out to the batteries and gave those ones a couple of tugs, no noticeable stretch to them. Went back in to check..... fired right up!!!! Of course, I am relieved but now I am wondering what the heck is going on and what is the best approach to fix this before my maiden voyage?

Re: Trouble Starting - Ignition solenoid? 95 U300 CAT 3176

Reply #44 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
The most likely place for problems with any battery cable is at the two ends.  Corrosion can work up under the open end of the insulation and weaken the individual strands of wire.  In extreme cases the cable can pull completely loose from the crimped end connector.  If it becomes necessary, you can buy the tool required to attach new end connectors to a cable.

I think that is where I am going to start. I will look at those links you sent and see if it's something I want to invest in the tools for or if it's something I will have done by...... an electrician?

Re: Trouble Starting - Ignition solenoid? 95 U300 CAT 3176

Reply #45 –
You need to cut back the jacket until you are able to expose the cable that is clean, shiny copper.  If it will still reach the battery/end, swedge on a new terminal.

Plan "B" is to cut it back to good copper and use an isolator lug/terminal and use a new short cable to replace the bad section.

Plan "XXXXXXXXXXXXXX" would be to replace the whole bad cable.  EXTREMELY unlikely that this will be needed.

Re: Trouble Starting - Ignition solenoid? 95 U300 CAT 3176

Reply #46 –
So I imagine you have a bad connection at one of the terminals and pulling on
them tighten the connection. It's really hard to find a problem when it's working.
I would push and pull at the connections and maybe you will feel something loose.

Re: Trouble Starting - Ignition solenoid? 95 U300 CAT 3176

Reply #47 –
If you find a bad cable, you have 2 choices:

1.  If you can remove the cable from the coach, you can take it to electrical shop and have new end connectors swaged on, OR just have them build a new cable.

2.  If you cannot remove the cable, then it must be repaired in place, either by you or by calling a electrician to come to your location.  Service calls are expensive.  You will have to weigh the expense of a service call against the expense of buying what is necessary to do the job yourself.

Except in a emergency situation, I would not recommend using any kind of bolt-on or clamp type cable repair connectors.  There are connectors that use a compression nut to tighten the lug to the cable.  I have no experience with that type connector.  See the description in the catalog linked below:

https://www.powerandsignal.com/Images/PDFs/Catalog_Full_Line__English_Connectors.pdf

Re: Trouble Starting - Ignition solenoid? 95 U300 CAT 3176

Reply #48 –
Quote from: GeoKM –
Well well well, so I went back there and started pulling on the cables. I checked the grounds at the engine, frame, and starter first, tugged a little no noticeable stretch. Went to the front and gave it a try... the same thing. Then I went out to the batteries and gave those ones a couple of tugs, no noticeable stretch to them. Went back in to check..... fired right up!!!! Of course, I am relieved but now I am wondering what the heck is going on and what is the best approach to fix this before my maiden voyage?

Good job narrowing things down and finding the issue! I say you remove/clean/check each connection one at a time and see what you find. 

Re: Trouble Starting - Ignition solenoid? 95 U300 CAT 3176

Reply #49 –
So I narrowed it down to the cable that runs from the negative 3-way manifold on the batteries up to the engine grounding point. Thinking I will have an electrician friend either fix the ends or fabricate a whole new one. Luckily the ground side has the shorter and more easily removed cables, the positives run-up to the larger fuse box that is in the main storage bay through some bulkheads and all that.  ^.^d 

Thank you all for the assistance with this issue!! 

Re: Trouble Starting - Ignition solenoid? 95 U300 CAT 3176

Reply #50 –
Quote from: GeoKM –
So I narrowed it down to the cable that runs from the negative 3-ay manifold on the batteries up to the engine grounding point. Thinking I will have an electrician friend either fix the ends or fabricate a whole new one. Luckily the ground side has the shorter and more easily removed cables, the positives run-up to the larger fuse box that is in the main storage bay through some bulkheads and all that.  ^.^d 
Thank you all for the assistance with this issue!! 
I made up an extra ground from the battery to a close point on the frame. Just about 2 feet on ours.

Pierce

Re: Trouble Starting - Ignition solenoid? 95 U300 CAT 3176

Reply #51 –
Quote from: GeoKM –
So I narrowed it down to the cable that runs from the negative 3-way manifold on the batteries up to the engine grounding point. Thinking I will have an electrician friend either fix the ends or fabricate a whole new one. Luckily the ground side has the shorter and more easily removed cables, the positives run-up to the larger fuse box that is in the main storage bay through some bulkheads and all that.  ^.^d 

Thank you all for the assistance with this issue!! 
Just a footnote for those who read this later or find themselves in need of cables....
If you live near the coast or boating areas, many Marine/Boating supply stores will carry cables and lugs of various gauges, you can buy your required lengths and have them swage ends on in store for you.
(West Marine, Blackburn Marine etc.)
 

Re: Trouble Starting - Ignition solenoid? 95 U300 CAT 3176

Reply #52 –
Bad ground.
All volts will have to use the same ground path .