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Topic: 1988 GRAND VILLA - Need help finding fuses/batteries (Read 574 times) previous topic - next topic

1988 GRAND VILLA - Need help finding fuses/batteries

NEED HELP!! Can someone please give me direction to the fuse panel for the dash lights and the location of the chassis battery (yes I agree I must be blind), cannot find the darn thing!!!

Moderator Jeff edited subject for clarity.

Re: 1988 GRAND VILLA

Reply #1 –
Oshkosh w/a cat 3208

Re: 1988 GRAND VILLA

Reply #2 –
There are lots of fuses under the front dash. Not sure about the batteries but on my 93 GV the house batteries are in a compartment in front of the drivers side rear wheel. My engine batteries are in the engine bay.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: 1988 GRAND VILLA

Reply #3 –
For the chassis battery - there should be a compartment that lifts up at your step well at the coach entry. Lift the compartment door and you should see your battery.

The fuse panel for the dash lights should be behind your dash gauges. Open the dash cover and look for the fuse panel there.

Hope this helps.

Chuck & Karen
1997 U295 36'

Re: 1988 GRAND VILLA

Reply #4 –
Where in the bay...I must be blind...I mean they aren't golf cart batteries are they...lol.

Re: 1988 GRAND VILLA

Reply #5 –
Open the entry door, look at the bottom of your first step, there should be a metal ring that allows you to lift up the hinged steps and the batteries should be there.
Chuck & Karen
1997 U295 36'

Re: 1988 GRAND VILLA - Need help finding fuses/batteries

Reply #6 –
If your coach is an ORED then the fuses you seek are under the top dash cover, lift up at the front.
Your coach and chassis battery are under the entry steps, coach on the right (front) and chassis on the left.
There are additional fuses under the bed behind the grey metal door along with some circuit breakers.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: 1988 GRAND VILLA - Need help finding fuses/batteries

Reply #7 –
Originally under the step was 2 8d batteries. One for the chassis and the other one for the house. Over the years this might have been modified by previous owners. Some people added an 8 d battery back by the engine accessed by opening the grill where you hook up water and power cord. You just have to go looking as it very well might not be the way that it was built. Also if it has the side radiator another option might be in front of the rear bumper.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: 1988 GRAND VILLA - Need help finding fuses/batteries

Reply #8 –
Everybody is telling you "fuses are under the lift-up dash cover" but they haven't mentioned that it might take a really STRONG tug on the front lip of the dash to get it to come loose.  At least that's the way mine is...
I thought I was gonna break something the first time I popped the dash cover up.  But I didn't...

My technique is to put the heel of my left hand in place, pushing upwards under the center section of the lip of the dash, then take the heel of my right hand and strike with a sharp firm upwards motion under the edge of the cover.  Sounds harder than it really is.

Good Luck!
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: 1988 GRAND VILLA - Need help finding fuses/batteries

Reply #9 –
Quote from: eldo1984 –
Where in the bay...I must be blind...I mean they aren't golf cart batteries are they...lol.
Golf cart batteries are a possibility.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: 1988 GRAND VILLA - Need help finding fuses/batteries

Reply #10 –
If the dash top has not been lifted in a long time, best for two people to lift at the same time. Relays and if fitted, engine code switches also under dash if you have an electronic engine and trans.

More fuses in the back on the front of the bed enclosure. HWH also has 7 fuses inside control box down in main compartment and on the wall.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: 1988 GRAND VILLA - Need help finding fuses/batteries

Reply #11 –
Photos below show what my '93 U280 dash looks like when it is raised up.  Your older model dash might be shaped different, but probably works in a similar manner.  You can see all the strong metal clips that hold the front edge of the dash down.

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: 1988 GRAND VILLA - Need help finding fuses/batteries

Reply #12 –
Often the dash lights are inop due to a faulty headlight switch. You may wire around the switch dimmer for full dash light watts with headlights on.
The fuse is along the far left I think and might be 5 amp.  Might not be.  If you need more help , post . I can check closer tues .

Re: 1988 GRAND VILLA - Need help finding fuses/batteries

Reply #13 –
Quote from: eldo1984 –
Oshkosh w/a cat 3208

I have an oshkosh with a Cat,
Batterys are under the step as you open the door, Has a small chrome lift up lug you pull it up,
Batterys are in the case under the step,
Fuses are under the dash in the front on the left hand side, The whole dash lifts up, its all one peice,  half an inch thick,
The hinges get a bit stiff if they havent been used in a while, So you might need to give it a bump upwards,

The rest of the fuses are under the rear of the bed, near the floor, It has a metal lid with a slide lock on it,
Its a vertical plate,  You can see it from in front of the fridge,
Cheers, Brian,
1989 Foretravel Grand Villa, 36 foot ORED, 300 HP Catapillar and Four Speed Allison Auto,
Right Hand drive, two Mid doors, Makes a good flow thru ventilation in hot weather,
Located in Melbourne, Australia,  The Land Down Under,
Honda Blackbird, 1100XX.    2002 Gemini 105 MC Catamaran,

Re: 1988 GRAND VILLA - Need help finding fuses/batteries

Reply #14 –
If the front cap has moved, The dash gets jammed by the two small cushion tops on both sides of the dash, They also lift up as they are on hinges as well, Might be easier to lift them up first,
Cheers, Brian,
1989 Foretravel Grand Villa, 36 foot ORED, 300 HP Catapillar and Four Speed Allison Auto,
Right Hand drive, two Mid doors, Makes a good flow thru ventilation in hot weather,
Located in Melbourne, Australia,  The Land Down Under,
Honda Blackbird, 1100XX.    2002 Gemini 105 MC Catamaran,

Re: 1988 GRAND VILLA - Need help finding fuses/batteries

Reply #15 –
Welcome back, Brian!
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: 1988 GRAND VILLA - Need help finding fuses/batteries

Reply #16 –
You folks are awesome!! Got the dash up...ordered new headlight switch... got horns working...it's coming together! Anyone else had problems with the lil wood look reading/map lights...all are inop?

Re: 1988 GRAND VILLA - Need help finding fuses/batteries

Reply #17 –
When you gat your new headlight switch turn it all the way up and your map lights will work
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.