Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: First trip (Read 714 times) previous topic - next topic

First trip

OK, I've owned the coach for 3 years and finally got to take my first "official" trip. Left Monday morning early headed for Table Rock Lake outside of Branson. Planned on staying 7-10 days. Could only get a spot for 2 nights at the State Park, would then have to move to another spot for a night, then another etc. Very busy for this time of year, no one seams to know why. The temps were much warmer than what we like, so decided to head back home, do a couple of things on the coach and may go some place else, cooler in a day or two.

The park is a beautiful well kept park. Unfortunately, no sights directly on the water. With the heavy forests, had to walk to see the lake. Since this was our first trip of more than 75 miles, I wanted to make sure that the coach performed well. It ran great. Possibly the best part of the trip was the driving down the highways and side roads. This was only the 2nd time the DW had ridden in the coach. She had always followed in the car. She is in love with it as much as I am.

The only unforeseen thing which happened, when I was leaving Monday at daybreak, I didn't have any dash instrument lights. Any suggestions on where to start looking? Possibly a fuse behind the front panel in front of the passenger seat?

I hope to get out on the road somewhere in the next couple of days. We will see.

Thanks in advance,
Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: First trip

Reply #1 –
Quote from: ohsonew –
I didn't have any dash instrument lights. Any suggestions on where to start looking? Possibly a fuse behind the front panel in front of the passenger seat?
Fuse/breaker panel always a good place to start.  Did you try rotating the panel light "dimmer" knob - probably the same as your headlight knob?  If fuses, circuit breakers, and dimmer switch look good, check for possible loose ground wire behind the instrument panel.
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: First trip

Reply #2 –
Larry, did you try the dimmer knob both ways?  If they are still out and you have headlights and marker lights it may be the dimmer switch. I have a separate one from the light switch in my coach.  Yours might be different.  You should be able to jumper a wire across the two terminals on the backside to see if the dash lights come on.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: First trip

Reply #3 –
Thanks Chuck and Roger. I did try rotating the switch, but nothing. I will try the wire jumper tomorrow, and look for a loose ground. The headlights and markers were all functional. I hadn't driven the coach after dark before, so not sure if the dash lights ever worked.

Thanks,
Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: First trip

Reply #4 –
Most likely it's your dimmer, I had to replace mine. It would only work in one spot at almost full CW direction. Just before the map light comes on.
 Might try some contact cleaner sprayed in appropriate location. (If your's is the old open coil type.)
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota