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Dash warning lights?

Question!  On a 1984 Foretravei, right in the center of the drivers dash, at the top part of the dash, there is a red light without any indication of what it is for and why it is lit. Does anyone know what the purpose of this "MYSTERY WARNING LIGHT" is? It must be really bad if they don't even want you to know what it is warning you about.

Re: Dash warning lights?

Reply #1
Picture?
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Dash warning lights?

Reply #2
I have the same light on my 87. I've only ever seen it come on in low-air pressure conditions. IE at start up until air pressure is up or after a really really hard stop where I dumped a ton of air.... it flashed briefly as the system caught back up.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Dash warning lights?

Reply #3
Probably low air pressure.  May be a combo light for air, oil or temp.  Id put money on air. 
 The High beam light is a tiny blue light .  ON my bus.


Re: Dash warning lights?

Reply #5
Just think- you could buy a Prevost and all they have are symbols~

Re: Dash warning lights?

Reply #6
Probably low air pressure.  May be a combo light for air, oil or temp.  Id put money on air.
Agree.  I think any vehicle with air brakes has to have a "visual" low air pressure warning of some sort.
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: Dash warning lights?

Reply #7
That light is to let you know that you have low air pressure. Some of those are a combination light and buzzer.
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: Dash warning lights?

Reply #8
That makes sense, low air pressure, brakes require a lot of force to stop. Thank you.

Re: Dash warning lights?

Reply #9
All Foretravel diesels with air brakes have spring safety chambers on their rear axles. Absence of air, springs engage the rear brakes
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Dash warning lights?

Reply #10
I believe the 84 model year had air assisted drum brakes. 
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: Dash warning lights?

Reply #11
The 84 has wedge air brakes on the drums
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: Dash warning lights?

Reply #12
I'm not sure what type brakes would be found on the OP's 1984 model coach, but assuming they are disc brakes this means, if you don't have air pressure, you ain't moving the coach.

Unless, of course, you cage the (rear) brakes.  See below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVmRCPSVQrM
Spring brakes can be easily over come with engine horsepower. They produce only a portion of regular brakes and are only on the rear. If you were to loose your air pressure and need to move several hundred feet just use the skinny peddle and it will go. Every foot you go will increase brake temperature and further reduce there capability. Stuck in the mud or on the wet grass? Set the parking brake and drive away. Poor mans locker.

Re: Dash warning lights?

Reply #13
The 84 has wedge air brakes on the drums

Foretravel used the wedge drum brakes because they had full backing plates preventing rocks from being thrown up and into the s cam open backing plates otherwise. CM told me this was for use on rocky dirt roads
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Dash warning lights?

Reply #14
That is interesting Bob. I do know that the wedge brakes leave a lot to be desired.
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: Dash warning lights?

Reply #15
That is interesting Bob. I do know that the wedge brakes leave a lot to be desired.

ORED 26V chassis 15x7 rear. 15x4 fronts, fronts do not work until past 60 psi from the foot pedal. If you ride them and stop and check you will find the rears hot and fronts cold. Better to get on them hard then coast as built......
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Dash warning lights?

Reply #16
I just confirmed that on my 87 that red light is also on when any of the jacks are down.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Dash warning lights?

Reply #17
I have to adjust my wedge rear brakes every year or 10000. Work well when adjusted.
Fronts are cam style .