Thor class C no start, not battery

[soonerrvfam]

Hello all. This is my first forum post. My 2014 Thor Freedom Elite class C (2013 Chevy chassis) won't start. We assumed the battery was dead because it had been sitting for a few months in driveway. Confirmed it was not the battery. All the chassis lights come on when you turn the key but there is no turn over, no clicks, nothing. There is a warning light that says something about the air bag. I have read posts that suggest the anti-theft is locking out, and to have the key sit in accessory position for xx minutes before trying again. None of it has worked. Troubleshooting suggestions are helpful before calling a mechanic out. Thank you.

 

[LarsMac]

Usually with a Class C, the engine and drive train are all standard stuff.
Can you confirm that turning on the headlights works, even without the key?
Dashlights can come on even when the chassis battery is near death.
If the there in no click at all when you turn the key, and you have good chassis battery then perhaps Starter/Solenoid is problem.
Do have AAA or other road service?
Call them, first.

 

[soonerrvfam]

Yes, I can confirm that the headlights work even without the key. There is no click when I turn the key. The only click I hear is when I press the emergency start switch, but still no start.

 

[LarsMac]

My somewhat educated guess is that either the solenoid is non-functional, or wiring that charges the solenoid is damaged/disconnected.
I would say that it's time to consider calling a mechanic. The good news is that it is probably not RV specific.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

There are very few circuits involved in the start key position so with some chassis documentation it would be quick to find the fault. A clue I would look for is the fuel pump firing off when the key is turned on (you can usually hear it). If that's not happening the fault is limited to even fewer places.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[No cats]

If the starter is easy to get to by crawling underneath, I would check for 12V to the solenoid first. I had a similar issue with another vehicle and it was the solenoid that had an open.

Another trick is to have someone try to start it while you bang the starter with a metal rod or something you can maneuver into the tight spot. My neighbor was having the same issue with is Toyota Trundra and went and bought a new battery. I took a small hammer to the starter and, voila! it started.

Try the banging the starter first, then check for voltages.

 

[Kirk]

The only click I hear is when I press the emergency start switch, but still no start.

That click is most likely the solenoid that parallels the coach battery with the chassis battery and if both are up it is a pretty good indication that power is not the problem. You could further confirm that by putting a battery charger on the chassis battery overnight, or better still using jumper cables from the battery of another vehicle that is running. I suspect that the battery is not the issue but a failing starter motor can also require far more current than normal and that too should thus be eliminated.

There is a warning light that says something about the air bag.

There may be air bags in the front coil springs and that might be what is giving you the light but it should not affect starting the engine.

I have read posts that suggest the anti-theft is locking out,

If you have the GM antitheft system, it does have an engine immobilizer that could cause it to not start. When the key is inserted into the ignition, the Body Control Module (BCM) validates the chip. If the BCM doesn't receive a signal from the key, it prevents the vehicle from starting so that could be the problem. While I don't know how that system works, I am sure that if you have someone turn the key to start while you keep your meter on the starter, if you get a voltage there and no starter action, it is pretty safe to assume that the starter needs to be replaced.

A starter that was mechanically bound up was once known to happen, I have not known of it in the past 15 or so years but if you want to bang on your starter while someone turns the key, it isn't likely to harm anything and it might even make you feel less stress if it doesn't help.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

I've never seen this on any of my GM vehicles but reading online about the RFID system if there's an invalid/blank key used you'll see a locked symbol of some kind in the information display when the key is turned. That'd be something to look for.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[No cats]

A starter that was mechanically bound up was once known to happen, I have not known of it in the past 15 or so years

In my case as well as my neighbors, it wasn't a "bound" starter. The issue was that wiring in the solenoid coil that mechanically activates the bendix gear to mate to the flywheel, had an intermittent connection. Hitting the starter would make the connection and the solenoid would engage the bendix as well as making the connection for the fat battery cable to the starter.

With a bound starter, one can hear the starter try to turn but it is jammed and it's a no go.