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Topic: 1986 GV power to water pump and Radio (Read 404 times) previous topic - next topic

1986 GV power to water pump and Radio

I have a 1986 GV, the pictures show the fuses under the dash. The entire right side is not getting power at all. On the left side only the cruise control and fans are getting power.  Any ideas on where the power supply comes from that supplies power to the other fuses on these 2 panels?

The main 2 items I use regularly on these 2 panels are the radio and the water pump.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Mike T

1986 GV 36' w/ 3208T Cat
Build #2614

Re: 1986 GV power to water pump and Radio

Reply #1 –
There are some electrical schematics in the owners manual The selected media item is not currently available. I believe this is for your year coach, if not it will be close.

The two that are of most interest are:
  • A-2703 12 Volt Electrical Automotive
  • A-2701-00 12V Electrical Systems

I've extracted those and attached them.  A2703 show those dash fuses are fed by a relay (upper right section on the schematic) , I'd start by checking if that has timed out. A2701 details out the dash fuses, looks like there is a 30amp breaker in there as well so I would check if that is blown.
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: 1986 GV power to water pump and Radio

Reply #2 –
Thank you so much.  I recently had a generator swapped out, so it may either be the generator solenoid or the breaker.  I am assuming this is one of the breakers under the bed?  I will check this evening, hopefully its just a breaker.

Mike T.
1986 GV 36' w/ 3208T Cat
Build #2614

Re: 1986 GV power to water pump and Radio

Reply #3 –
Does anyone know the location of the 30A circuit breaker going from the generator solenoid to the dash fuses in the second schematic attached on the 1986 model?
1986 GV 36' w/ 3208T Cat
Build #2614

Re: 1986 GV power to water pump and Radio

Reply #4 –

I've not seem many coaches from that era, so can give any specific help. 

Foretravel is generally good about not hiding breakers so I'd look around the battery box area as there may be a breaker panel or inline 30A breaker (manual reset or auto-reset type) mounted on that wall or directly in the battery box.  You will be looking for a 30-amp manual reset breaker (often metal-cased with a push-button) or a fused power feed.

If all fails you may have to purchase a cheap signal / tone tracer like Lunarlipes Tone Generator Kit, Wire Tracer Circuit Tester, Tone Tracing... to help find where it goes.

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Current: 09' Phenix
Previous: 04' U320

Re: 1986 GV power to water pump and Radio

Reply #5 –
Turn your salesman switch by the door on and off a few times.
Looking at my 3/14/90 diagram  power comes off of coach battery it goes to a 90 amp circuit breaker it then goes to the salesman switch by the door .power comes back into another 90 amp CB and then powers a 30amp CB to the dash. It seems to me your salesman switch could be off or not internal connection good.




waterpump relay is  fed off of of
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: 1986 GV power to water pump and Radio

Reply #6 –
Expanding on the comment by Dale (above) I also have no direct experience with 80's model coaches, but, on following models (early 90's) Foretravel tended to put 12V circuit breakers in two general areas.

One place is a panel concealed under a white fiberglass cover, usually located on the wall of one of the storage bays.  See photos below.  First with cover removed, second with cover installed.

The 90A circuit breakers mentioned (above) by stump are located (on my coach) under the white cover.  They are 2 of the 3 round black things at the top of the panel (first photo).  The yellow arrow points to a manual reset circuit breaker.  The 30A breaker you are seeking might look similar.  On my coach, the top circuit breaker in the column the arrow points at is a 30A breaker that feeds the dash fuse panel.

The other (less likely) place is on or near the battery isolator mounting panel.  Don't know if this helps with your '86 model...just thought I'd mention it.

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: 1986 GV power to water pump and Radio

Reply #7 –
Thanks for all of the responses, can anyone tell me where the gen start solenoid might be located? And why does the 12V supply has to run through the generator starter solenoid?

Mike T
1986 GV 36' w/ 3208T Cat
Build #2614

Re: 1986 GV power to water pump and Radio

Reply #8 –
The generator start solenoid is located on the generator. Your coach should have had an Onan generator. Go to where the battery cable is attached to the generator. I don't know what generator you have now, but should have come with a manual.
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