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Topic: Check Engine Light wo / Shore or Gen PWR  (Read 328 times) previous topic - next topic

Check Engine Light wo / Shore or Gen PWR

Ready to leave and started coach.  Batt volts on VMSPC 13.1.  Slow to crank so stopped and turned on boost.  (New gear driven starter recently installed).  Still seemed a little slow to crank but started right up.  Noticed check engine light on and error messages on VMSPC (see photo).  I studied the error codes and couldn't figure out but since seemed to be related to power, I shut down engine, started the generator and restarted the engine.  It started like it always does and the check engine light was not on.  We proceeded on our way with no problems.  Anyone have any idea what was going on?
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Check Engine Light wo / Shore or Gen PWR

Reply #1 –
What was the battery voltage during cranking also is the idle speed 850
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Check Engine Light wo / Shore or Gen PWR

Reply #2 –
Battery voltage dropped to 9.4.  More than usual which is about 10.8, without boost switch on.  I had fast idle on while building air pressure when I took picture.
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Check Engine Light wo / Shore or Gen PWR

Reply #3 –
You could be getting a bad battery or maybe the chassis batteries are not being charged when you are plugged in to shore power. That coach originally did not charge the chassis batteries when plugged in to shore power. Most people have added some kind of system to charge the chassis batteries when plugging in.
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: Check Engine Light wo / Shore or Gen PWR

Reply #4 –
Yep as batteries age their capacity drops. What was the resting voltage before you attempted start? They may just be at a low state of charge. The two cigarette plugs read either system voltage. Stick a gadget with a voltmeter before your next start after they sit for several hours and read the voltage. 12.6 is good  12.05v is 50% state of charge resting.
https://www.amazon.com/your-orders/pop/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_pop?_encoding=UTF8&gen=canonical&lineItemId=kpnhouktnqsnwny&orderId=112-8909898-0136222&packageId=1&returnSummaryId=&returnUnitIndices=&returnUnitMappingId=&shipmentId=DxrnG5Rcd
These seem to show .2 volts hi but gets me in the ballpark

Re: Check Engine Light wo / Shore or Gen PWR

Reply #5 –
Red Tractor, chassis batteries are charged when coach is plugged in.  It has a Magnum inverter/charger. 
dsd, the resting voltage when I tried the senecio this morning was 12.8.  During cranking, with boost off, using the VMSPC batt voltage reading, it dipped to a brief 9.6.  Starter seemed to do nothing for maybe one second then turned over.  That is probably giving the error codes and setting the check engine light.  I shut it down and tried again with the boost on.  During cranking, I saw a dip to 11.8 and it started fine with no errors or check engine light.  A couple of months ago the batteries were checked and were ok and it would start fine without the boost.  But I know that can change.  I will have them rechecked and will also check for loose connections.  Thanks for your responses. 
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Check Engine Light wo / Shore or Gen PWR

Reply #6 –
The Magnum inverter charger only charges the house batteries so if no one has added any type of system to charge the chassis batteries while plugged in they will not be charging.
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: Check Engine Light wo / Shore or Gen PWR

Reply #7 –
The Magnum inverter charger only charges the house batteries so if no one has added any type of system to charge the chassis batteries while plugged in they will not be charging. I have a trikl- start on our coach and when plugged in it will keep the chassis batteries charged.
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: Check Engine Light wo / Shore or Gen PWR

Reply #8 –
Coach wont start trouble shooting (Battery)

So your coach wont start.
      My trouble shooting tools
            A. A volt meter
            B. A test light with long leads and alligator clips on end.
            C. A alternate remote starts switch
            D. A cheap or expensive battery load cell capable of loading a 100 amps or more
            E. Battery charger
            F. Necessary tools and cleaning supplies
 Start with the simple things first, order you follow is up to you, however I generally follow the following.
            A. Volt meter . Check the voltage at the suspect battery
                                                  1. If its dead charge and check capacity. If it fully charges fast it probably will have capacity issues.  Check with load cell.
                                                      If its fully charged check voltage at starter main connection
                                                              A if you have full voltage using alternate start control engage starter
                                                                    Does starter solenoid engage?
                                                                    Yes?  Check solenoid start wire for power during start attempt. Repair wiring.
                                                                    No? But have voltage,  on both big lead and start solenoid wire, bad starter solenoid
                                                                              Solenoid engages but no start bad solenoid or starter.                                                                 
                                                                B no Voltage at starter? But good battery voltage.
                                                                          Using volt meter or 12V test bulb put one lead on the center of the battery positive post and the other at the terminating end of the cable on positive post.
If you read voltage or bulb lights up you have isolated your problem to that lead.
                                                                            Repeat on the other battery cable ground but this time go to coach ground on the frame somewhere.
 If you read voltage or bulb lights up you have isolated your problem to that lead.
                                                                Using load cell on batteries and at termination connection post and at cable splice locations will isolate fault. Sometimes voltage will be present but drops off during a load.
              Typical issues will be connections and failed batteries.
                            Using the test bulb and remote start switch along (parrellel) long leads quickly isolates problems. Can also be used along (parrellel) positive or negative battery connections to see resistance. Cleaning connections and protecting from the air reduces corrosion. Preventive maintenance does take time but prevents on the road issues. I'd rather change a starter at home at my time schedule rather than in the fuel line at the pumps.
                  If all checks out verify good starter to ground connection, using test bulb or volt meter. I personally do like the bulb do to visual indication on leads and between battery leads. If it lights up there is an issue, remember to verify it works before using. This also works across bad boost switches and Isolators, but not mentioned here because they do not affect starting issues. Poor capacity batteries may need boost to start, but this should not be the normal starting procedure. If you must use boost to start you are covering up other issues, Batteries, leads, connections. Hope this is helpful. Anything that should be added let me know and I'll add to the list.

Test light I use is just a plain 12v brake light bulb with wire leads soldered to bulb base. Tape to cover. Alligator clips on the end of the wires.

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Working links in original post
Scott

Re: Check Engine Light wo / Shore or Gen PWR

Reply #9 –
Sorry Red Tractor, I mis read your first reply.  But I do have a Trick-L-Start that charges the chassis batteries.
dsd, what a list!  I have copied it into my folder for troubleshooting help and ideas. 
It will be a few more days before I will have a place to work on the issue.  I will post what I eventually come up with.  Thanks!
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Check Engine Light wo / Shore or Gen PWR

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Bill B –
Sorry Red Tractor, I mis read your first reply.  But I do have a Trick-L-Start that charges the chassis batteries.
dsd, what a list!  I have copied it into my folder for troubleshooting help and ideas. 
It will be a few more days before I will have a place to work on the issue.  I will post what I eventually come up with.  Thanks!
Easier just to bookmark. Corrosion happens. Using the test bulb parallel to  grounds and power cables will rat out an issue. And it gives a great indication when you find an issue.