Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 12, 2025 ...

No Power to Dash

December 21, 2017, 06:37:33 pm

Already with a problem.  Picked up my 91 U280 after getting new tires and headed home.  Stopped at Love's for a soda.  Came out no power to the dash.  Checked chassis batteries, 13.8 volts.  Checked under dash solenoid, only .6 volts on hot side.  Coach batteries are toast, was going to replace them when I got home.  Sitting in the dark try to figure out where to start.  Circuit diagram refers to drawing A3440 but it seems to be missing.  Suggestions?

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Re: No Power to Dash

Reply #1 – December 21, 2017, 06:45:32 pm

Sounds like your ignition solenoid is toast.

Turn on ignition, rap on it with the handle of a screw driver.

If that does not get it working, BYPASS IT.  Label, then take all the wires off one side if the solenoid and ADD THEM to the wires on the other side.  Electrically the same as the solenoid good.

Yes, you will have to remove those added wires to "disconnect".

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Reply #2 – December 21, 2017, 06:52:55 pm

With .6v. under dash, make sure + battery connection is clean & tight. I think mine goes next to a connection on the side wall of the steps...

Jim

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Reply #3 – December 21, 2017, 06:58:58 pm

How many solenoids between the batteries and the ignition switch?  If there is only .6 volts getting to the heavy feed to the dash, where is the interruption after the battery?

Ignition solenoid isn't getting 13.8 only .6 volts.

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Reply #4 – December 21, 2017, 07:15:38 pm

Does that feed through the isolator?

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Reply #5 – December 21, 2017, 07:29:48 pm

do as wolfe says....you'll be underway.

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Reply #6 – December 21, 2017, 07:45:09 pm

Okay, maybe I'm misunderstanding something.  If the ignition solenoid is the one directly behind the instruments, I don't think that is the problem because there is no power getting to it.  If that isn't the ignition solenoid, where would it be located?  I assume the one next to the isolator is the starter solenoid.  Are there more?

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Reply #7 – December 21, 2017, 07:53:35 pm

Check battery cable connections to the battery and there is also a breaker behind the white panel in the bay. Remove the panel and check that the breaker has not tripped, believe that it might be a 60 amp breaker It has a button in the center to reset it.

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Reply #8 – December 21, 2017, 08:27:19 pm

When you are behind the Dash, find your Fuse Panel and remove and reinstall each fuse several times. it turns out the contact on the fuse legs gets cruddy and sometimes no current is flowing, that really messes with your electronics.

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Reply #9 – December 21, 2017, 08:43:08 pm

Some interesting speculation.

Let's start over.

At the ignition solenoid:

What is voltage at each large lug with ignition OFF and ON.

One large lug is directly connected to the chassis battery with large-gauge cable and will give you an instant read on battery condition and on condition of connectors.

The other large lug should show the same voltage only when the ignition is ON.

Also, check it with boost switch ON.  That will help diagnose bad chassis battery or connection at the chassis battery.

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Reply #10 – December 21, 2017, 08:52:45 pm

Its ALIVE!  $#^^#^*!#@ battery terminals.  So, when it gets home new batteries and new terminals.  You know, I almost brought some batteries with me.

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Reply #11 – December 21, 2017, 11:53:56 pm

Lots of things to check on batteries, is it full of fluid and electrolyte. If it's been on an old style battery boiler AKA single stage charger. Are the terminals clean? Ground wires in vehicles seem to be the most neglected. Ground wires in general seem to be the most neglected. I have had a 67% success rate at Reviving dead batteries with the charger it is capable of desulfication.

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Reply #12 – December 22, 2017, 12:43:38 am

Make like these are an airplane.  If it fails you might die.  I know.  A little dramatic. 

I am pro active not reactive. 

If you do not KNOW the condition of a system it probably will fail.

Be paranoid.  Works better owning a rv

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Reply #13 – December 22, 2017, 06:51:35 pm

Second attempt at a response, the cat stepped on the mouse (chuckle).

Any emergency you are completely prepared for never occurs.  Preparation is cheaper than an emergency and fits your schedule.

The new Toyos were installed Wednesday and I got the Grand Villa back to Kansas City today.  It is tucked away in the RV storage inside the old Leeds GM plant, facing another Grand Villa three aisles over.  On the way back to house I spotted the first truck spreading brine on the road.  Timing is everything.

Only drove about 175 miles but now I understand about Foretravels.  Really really easy to drive even solo and so comfortable.

The plan is to install three 8D AGMs, one for starting and two for the coach.  Future plans may include adding a pair of group 31 AGMs for starting duties and putting all three 8Ds to support the coach.  I noticed 8Ds are available with studs instead of posts.  Is any using those?  I used studded batteries in my electric cars and never had any issues.

I will be replacing the converter/charger with something less archaic before I install the AGMs.  Maybe one of the AIMS inverter/chargers.

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Reply #14 – December 30, 2017, 08:15:50 pm

Just curious Mike, are there any RV storage places in the caves?

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Reply #15 – December 30, 2017, 09:23:33 pm

Yes there is cave RV storage, but it can be pricey.  Something like $230 a month for nice, warm, dust free, and humidity controlled, but limited access hours and they move the coach for you.  You can't go to it.  At old the Leeds plant it is cold, but access is 24/7 and you are permitted to work on it while it is inside.  No major engine removal or such, but more minor things are no problem.

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