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Dash Electrical

August 21, 2010, 12:41:37 pm

I have a 1991 Grandvilla and I have an intermittent electrical problem with dash power. The only things effected are gauges, turn signals and cruise control. It does not impact the engine operation at all. I originally thought it may be related to the ignition switch but now wonder if there is a solenoid that provides 12 volt to the dash instruments. Any advise?


Ron
1991 GV ORED

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Re: Dash Electrical

Reply #1 – August 21, 2010, 01:00:56 pm

Ron,

Intermittent issues could also be as simple as a loose ground wire.  You might want to check the connections and clean/tighten as necessary.

Michelle

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Re: Dash Electrical

Reply #2 – August 21, 2010, 01:56:39 pm

My 93 GV(ford 460 gas) has all the grounds going to the extreme left of the dash.  If I remember correctly the guages shouldn't be effected by a ground problem other than the lights.  They get 12v from the guage fuse and then feed it to the sensor, fuel tank, engine temp, etc, which is between the guage and ground. The dash cover is hinged so I can lift it up and see everything.  Turn the key on and start moving wires.  My GV has a Ford cruise and it always has power applied all the time.

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Re: Dash Electrical

Reply #3 – August 21, 2010, 02:13:45 pm

Ron, I have zero experience with the 91 ORED, but for any electrical questions, I recommend taking a good look at the wiring diagram for your coach.

Most likely, the problem will be a simple fix, as mentioned, loose wire, poor connection or broken wire.  Without a wiring diagram, I find tracking a circuit difficult or impossible.  If you dont know where it starts or where it ends, its tuff to resolve.
 
I know from my experience, the wiring diagrams from  Foretravel are very helpful in tracking
what ever question I have had.
Good luck
Dave

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Re: Dash Electrical

Reply #4 – August 21, 2010, 11:16:41 pm

94 u300, similar issues, they replaced a solenoid in the dash......problem solved.

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Re: Dash Electrical

Reply #5 – August 22, 2010, 01:04:41 am

Ron,
 
I have a '92 U280 GrandVilla.  You probably have a 125 amp, continuous duty, 3 pole ignition solenoid in the dash on the left side.  I had those identical symptoms twice.  I replaced the solenoid with a Cole-Hersee 200 amp (another 125 amp will work) continuous duty solenoid from Ryder fleet Products.  You can also get them from Marine supply houses, though it will be more expensive.  A 4-pole will work; you just have to connect a ground wire to the 4th pole.  The biggest challenge in doing it yourself is fitting all of the wires on to each pole and getting the nut to "take" so you can tighten it down.  It is doable even for a relative novice (that's me). Replacing that solenoid solved the intermittent electrical problems in the dash.
 
I have had the ignition switch go also.  When that craps out, nothing will come on - dash, engine, cruise, zip.
 
Good Luck.

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Re: Dash Electrical

Reply #6 – August 22, 2010, 10:14:17 am

Thanks Don, I was hoping someone else had a similar problem. I'm getting ready to hit the road for Colorado, hopefully it will hold out till I get back and then I will replace as you suggest. Thanks again for the advise.  Ron

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Re: Dash Electrical

Reply #7 – August 22, 2010, 01:22:16 pm

Ron,

I had the same problems with my 92 U280 GrandVilla the fix on mine was like Don's the solenoid. You may want to pickup one before you leave mine when out why traveling, lucky I was close to home.

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Re: Dash /breakdown tale

Reply #8 – August 22, 2010, 04:52:50 pm

Since my problem also affected the dash gauges I'll post my tale of woe here and if you want to move it Steve that will be fine.
Long post...

Break down Tale
As I was southbound on PA 501 from I81 on a 9% upgrade the coach QUIT.  I was able to restart and reach top of grade.  On 8% downgrade it quit again, it was not overheating and oil pressure was good but this time I could not restart.

I was on a narrow two lane rd with no shoulders and heavy truck traffic with corn fields on each side, could not have been in a worse place.

I started to check everything that I could think of and it was obvious that I had a major electrical problem, no dash at all, no starter, had voltage at main solenoid but none at boost or start solenoid and no starter.
I had about exhausted my knowledge under the circumstances and was in my wallet looking for Coach-net's phone number.

A pickup pulled in front of me and a fellow named Clint walked back and asked if I needed help.  I explained what was going on and he asked if I had a multi meter.

I gave it to him and he proceeded to make some of the same checks I had.  He then crawled under the coach in spite of the heavy traffic backed up behind me and passing in a dangerous area.
He was able to turn over the starter but there was no voltage at the solenoids and coach would not start from remote.

He then went to identifying sensors, oil pressure, temperature etc and while doing this found a burned wire.  We pulled wire loose from engine block and immediately I was able to start  up.

This good Samaritan led me into a gas station and there we found that the 12Volt sense wire to the alternator was the culprit, it had laid against the thermostat housing and then insulation got hot and melted allowing wire to short, with that the entire ignition circuit went dead. If coach had not had circuit breakers it is possible that a major fire would have resulted.  We taped it off till I could make more permanent repairs and after I gave him all the bills in my pocket (about $50) and thanked him profusely he went on his way, he did protest about beinbg paid but I insisted. .  He was a mechanic for a local farm equipment company and Even though I was broke down in a very bad place it was also the best place since he was on his way home early on a Friday nite.

Had I had to wait for Coach-net and been towed to Cummins this would have taken hours and who knows how long some mechanic would have taken to find this wire.

I added this wire three years ago when alternator failed and I replaced it with a later model Leece-Neville...

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