2005 Fleetwood Southwind ignition problem

[Wavery]

Hi,

I just upgraded(?) from an old '98 Winnebago Adventurer (with an F53 Chassis) to a 2005 Fleetwood Southwind with an F53 Chassis.

I went out to start the coach last night (day of purchase). When I turned the key to start, I got a clicking then dead. In fact all the dash lights went out and it was like the battery was disconnected. I pushed the "AUX BATTERY" switch on the dash and the coach started then died when I released the switch. I tried it again and held the switch down for a few seconds and the coach kept running.

I left it overnight then checked the main battery voltage this morning @ 12.49V (1/2 charge). I tried starting the engine and when I turned on the key, I had nothing, no dash-lights or sound. I again pushed the "AUX" and it lit up and started. I let it run for 30 minutes and checked the main battery voltage. It was only 12.67 with the engine running but the dash gauge indicated 14V. I assume that the alternator is OK. Somehow, very little (if any) amperage is getting to the main battery. Even if it were a short in the battery (purchase date code 4/18), I would think that the dash lights would come on, at least.

I checked all of the battery cable connections on the battery, starter and frame. Everything is clean and tight.

I'm open to ideas here.

 

[nfredrick]

check your battery cables , sometimes the cable end itself is bad

 

[Old_Crow]

Wavery, I'd pull the chassis battery, put  it on a charger for a few hours and load test it.  Those symptoms are classic bad connection or bad battery.

On an aside note about the last line in your sig.  I spent 27 years as a service tech at various GM dealerships.  I now drive a Jeep and our coach in on a Ford F53 chassis.  I would have gotten a GM chassis coach, but none of the ones I looked at flipped my switches.  House issues, not chassis.

 

[Wavery]

check your battery cables , sometimes the cable end itself is bad

Good call.... The ground cable was bad right at the cable end. Cut the end off and installed a new one. Problem solved.... Thanks.