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Topic: High beams and fog lights, block heater q's (was new owner of older coach) (Read 950 times) previous topic - next topic

High beams and fog lights, block heater q's (was new owner of older coach)

searching this forum is not as easy as some car forums so I have elected to enumerate my immediate issues. My 2000 U295 has the headlight conversion. After taking possession and driving home from MOT I have discovered that the high beams and aux fog lights are not working. The aux bulbs check out when connected to a 12 volt battery. Also the LED running/turn signal lights have a 1/2 inch of water in the bottom. I am looking for fuses for the inoperable lights and I would like to know how to remove the LED units.
I also need to  reattach the shower door handle as the epoxy has failed.
The engine heater switch at the foot of the bed is lighted red when up or down. Is this a problem?
Thanks to the Nacogdoches gang headed by Mike/Jackie Harbordt for guiding us through the process of finding and buying this coach



(Edited title to be more descriptive - Michelle)
Every day is a gift
Bob and Pat
2000 36 U295 cummins 350hp
Coach has been sold thanks to MOT 11/2016

Re: new owner of older coach

Reply #1 –
Just to be clear my coach has a headlight conversion by someone. I suspect that the electrical portion is inadequate in terms of relays and wire guage.
Every day is a gift
Bob and Pat
2000 36 U295 cummins 350hp
Coach has been sold thanks to MOT 11/2016

Re: new owner of older coach

Reply #2 –
Bob, there are no photos with your post or in your profile.  That would give a clue if you have a conversion done by Xtreme or some other.  If you are back in WI, you are awfully far from taking it back to the dealer (or shop who did the work)  in Nac.
With the XT con., the high beams do not work parked, w key off.  Access to the H9 bulbs is by sitting up in the void directly behind the front panels.  XT provided me w diagrams for how to remove bulbs and aim lamps.   
I doubt your problem is inadequate wiring.
Mogan David
1999 U295 36'

Re: new owner of older coach

Reply #3 –
If all is well I should have high beams and aux(fogs) with ignition switched to on?
Every day is a gift
Bob and Pat
2000 36 U295 cummins 350hp
Coach has been sold thanks to MOT 11/2016

Re: new owner of older coach

Reply #4 –
Quote from: gootie –
The engine heater switch at the foot of the bed is lighted red when up or down. Is this a problem?
Bob,
The light should be off when switch is in the down position. It is a indicator that the switch is in the on position so you will know if the block heater is on. If it is on all the time it is time for replacement.  Replacements are available from most any industrial electrical supply company or here is one even on eBay

Pass Seymour 660ISLGCC10 Single Pole Lighted Toggle Switch 15 Amp 120 Volt...

You  just need to make sure the switch indicator light is on when switch is on and off when switch is off because they make one that is made just the opposite.
Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: new owner of older coach

Reply #5 –
Bob,

Can't help you with specific answers, because our coach is an older model.

About the lights, if wired as Mogan said, yes, the high beams should work with ignition switch on.  If "low" beams work but "high" beams don't, start hunting for a fuse.  If it is a Xtreme or FOT conversion, give them a call and ask about fuse location/light operation/bulb removal.

As to the fog lights, they MAY require the ignition switch on PLUS the high beams ON before they will work.  That is a very common wiring method (like the factory fogs on my coach), which is really stupid, because you don't use high beams in fog.

You asked about the engine block heater.  On my coach, when you turn on the switch (and red light comes on) all you are doing is sending power to a duplex electrical outlet in the engine bay.  If you have a block heater, it will be plugged into this outlet.  If your red switch light is on in both ON and OFF positions, then it is faulty and should be repaired/replaced.  It may or may not be actually sending power to the block heater.  Find the outlet in the engine bay, and test it with a multi-meter to see if it is constantly powered.

You DO NOT want your block heater on all the time.  I doubt that it is actually on...it may be unplugged, or it may be burned out.

Like Mogan said, when you ask questions here, it is VERY helpful to include photos.  There are many variations of models and equipment in the Foretravel line, and it is much easier to give you useful answers if we know exactly what you have,
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: new owner of older coach

Reply #6 –
Please do make sure you check the outlet where the block heater is plugged in. When I checked ours I found the block heater end had the blades so corroded that the arcing that occurred actually melted the outlet and the male plug end. Just lucky the coach didn't catch fire.
How long the problem existed I don't know. Most likely started with the previous owner but really manifested itself when the coach spent late falls up here near Wausau, WI when we had to use the block heater. I never knew the heater wasn't working until I replaced the engine compartment insulation and then discovered the melted components.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: new owner of older coach

Reply #7 –
Aux lights and high beams work with ignition on.
Every day is a gift
Bob and Pat
2000 36 U295 cummins 350hp
Coach has been sold thanks to MOT 11/2016

Re: new owner of older coach

Reply #8 –
Quote from: gootie –
Aux lights and high beams work with ignition on.
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: High beams and fog lights, block heater q's (was new owner of older coach)

Reply #9 –
I have been busy doing all the little things a previous owner has overlooked and now I am ready to look at the block heater connection. As the coach is stored a mile from our condo I am wondering where I might find the outlet for this cold weather important item. Will it be accessible from the cabin with master bed in raised position?
Every day is a gift
Bob and Pat
2000 36 U295 cummins 350hp
Coach has been sold thanks to MOT 11/2016

Re: High beams and fog lights, block heater q's (was new owner of older coach)

Reply #10 –


  Good Morning Bob,
      Yes  the outlet for the block heater on our 2003 is on, as you raise the bed, the right side-foot end of the bed.
      Should be a black cord with plug end--may or may not be plugged into the outlet.
        Hope that helps and good luck with your new coach---Jim
Jim & Doreen
2003 U320

 "Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen"
― Louis L'Amour

Re: High beams and fog lights, block heater q's (was new owner of older coach)

Reply #11 –
You can also see it from the rear engine access.  Need a flash light. 

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: High beams and fog lights, block heater q's (was new owner of older coach)

Reply #12 –
On a side note....for the block heater we turn the breaker OFF during the warm weather season for the "just in case" bumping into the switch in from of the bed,
Jeff & Carrie
2023 Geneva 31VA
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED "The Button Pusher" - GONE 🥺

Re: High beams and fog lights, block heater q's (was new owner of older coach)

Reply #13 –
Our coach has a protected area at very foot of bed. In there I discovered not only an outlet that is switched by the block heater lighted switch previously mentioned but there is another outlet there with one plug occupied by a cord to???.
I did use volt meter to check function of the lighted switch and found power to block heater outlet is off when switch is in down position. the light remained on in both on and off position. I suspect that this coach having spent most of its life in southern clomate has few if any hours on block heater.
Every day is a gift
Bob and Pat
2000 36 U295 cummins 350hp
Coach has been sold thanks to MOT 11/2016