Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Starting questions? (Read 1652 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Starting questions?

Yahoo Message Number: 7920
In the continuing saga of Dave's "new" MH...
Got the batteries charged and the coach started - but - it took a few tries to get it to happen. With charged batteries I could now hear the starter solenoid snapping in the rear. After listening trying a half-dozen times the engine finally turned over and started right up.

Being a glutton for punishment, I shut it down and tried to restart it. A couple of clicks and then it turned over. Tried it again and it started right up.

I'm thinking bad starter - possible? Another possibility is that the year old battery - which the previous owner told me was always plugged in (inside storage and his workplace) - is shot from being cooked.
The seller did mention that he had a problem with the batteries maintaining water level and he attributed it to being plugged in. I'm wondering if they were refilled with tap water or just too much distilled.
And one other question - do you pull the slide in before starting or doesn't it matter?

All thoughts appreciated!
Dave

'98 Allure #30187

Re: Starting questions?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7921
Quote
And one other question - do you pull the slide in before starting or > doesn't it matter?

All thoughts appreciated!

Dave

'98 Allure #30187
On my coach...you HAVE TO start the engine up to run the slide in or out..

Sully

2000 Alllure #30549

Re: Starting questions?

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7922
Dave, I'm a little confused about which batteries are giving you a problem. The engine battery is not on charge when the coach is plugged in. Some of the folks around here have installed trickle chargers that are on when plugged in to remedy this. I just put mine on a charger every several weeks. This suffices since we use our coach over the winter.

Regarding the coach batteries, I've found one does have to add water frequently if you are plugged in a lot. I check them every several weeks because I stay plugged in over the winter so I can run an electric heater inside to keep the coach from freezing.

But it sounds here like you may need a new engine battery. My coach, which was built only a few before yours, has a boost switch which you can hold down while starting. This connects the engine and coach batteries temporarily for the purpose of helping startup.

BTW, the block heater works like a champ. Where you are is pretty cold, I'd run this for several hours before starting up, it will really make the engine kick over much better.

Dan

Allure #30180, 1998.

Quote from: tandemsince83
> In the continuing saga of Dave's "new" MH...

Got the batteries charged and the coach started - but - it took a

few

Quote
tries to get it to happen. With charged batteries I could now hear > the starter solenoid snapping in the rear. After listening trying

a

Quote
half-dozen times the engine finally turned over and started right

up.

Quote
>

Being a glutton for punishment, I shut it down and tried to restart > it. A couple of clicks and then it turned over. Tried it again

and

Quote
it started right up.

I'm thinking bad starter - possible? Another possibility is that

the

Quote
year old battery - which the previous owner told me was always

plugged

Quote
in (inside storage and his workplace) - is shot from being cooked.
The seller did mention that he had a problem with the batteries > maintaining water level and he attributed it to being plugged in.

I'm

Quote
wondering if they were refilled with tap water or just too much

distilled.

Quote
>

And one other question - do you pull the slide in before starting

or

Re: Starting questions?

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7923
Interesting. On my '98 Allure, you have to turn the ignition switch to the on position but you do NOT have to start the engine. I generally do just to ease the load on the electrical system/battery.

Dan

98 Allure 30180

Quote from: rvman4u
> And one other question - do you pull the slide in before

starting or

Quote
doesn't it matter?
>

> All thoughts appreciated!
>

> Dave

> '98 Allure #30187

On my coach...you HAVE TO start the engine up to run the slide in

or out..

Re: Starting questions?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7924
Hi Dan -

You are correct about the engine battery not charging when the coach is plugged in. I put a separate charger on it while the house was also charging.

I'm shopping for a new battery for the engine - I figure it can't hurt. I used the boost switch and I can hear it's solenoid clicking so I know it's working, but still had the starter solenoid just clicking a couple of times which is what makes me think I may have a starter that's bad or going bad.

BTW, re: the slide - mine also works with the key on but I agree on starting the engine just to save the drain. And thanks for the block heater tip - I will need it when I leave Wednesday morning as it should be about 18 degrees here!
Dave

'98 Allure #30187

Quote from: mainecoons0

Re: Starting questions?

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7925
Dave, before I go buying new batteries I would check for loose wiring around the starter and ground. I have had this problem after on both the MotorCoach and boat. 90% of the time it was caused by a loose wire, (one not completely tight or loosened from vibration. Grab the wires to the starter and try to work back and forth, do the same on the ground and battery. Make sure they are clean and making good contact. Then if all else fails buy a battery but if the batteries turn it over enough to start after a number of clicks it is probably the wiring.

John Bicknas
97 Magna 5416

Re: Starter access?

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7926
Good idea John, thanks. Since it's raining and I don't want to crawl around to find out, do I access the starter from underneath the coach or from under the bed?
Dave

'98 Allure #30187

Quote from: John Bicknas
> Dave, before I go buying new batteries I would check for loose
wiring around the starter and ground. I have had this problem after on both the MotorCoach and boat. 90% of the time it was caused by a loose wire, (one not completely tight or loosened from vibration. Grab the wires to the starter and try to work back and forth, do the same on the ground and battery. Make sure they are clean and making good contact. Then if all else fails buy a battery but if the batteries turn it over enough to start after a number of clicks it is probably the wiring.

Re: Starter access?

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7929
Dave I have a Magna with a Detroit engine, mine is underneath the Coach, I don't know about yours.

John Bicknas
97 Magna 5416

Re: Starter access?

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7932
Thanks John,

I was looking at the Chassis book and the starter assembly looks pretty accessible from the top on my Cummins. Either way, that's top of tomorrow's list of things to check.

Dave

'98 Allure #30187

Quote from: John Bicknas
> Dave I have a Magna with a Detroit engine, mine is underneath the
Coach, I don't know about yours.

Quote
>

John Bicknas
97 Magna 5416

Re: Starting questions? a.k.a. Slide operation

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7933
On the Allure 2002 you do NOT need to start the engine to operate the slide. With the following procedure on other models of CC, starting the engine might also not be necessary to pull the slide in, and conversely, leaving the engine running may not be necessary to extend the slides.

This is very handy to know when pulling into a RV Park. Pull in, shut down engine, level coach, connect shore power, extend slide. A lot quieter for the neighbor.

THE TRICK IS: Be on shore power or generator. Turn ignition switch ON (but do not start engine). Operate slide. I find it operating with AC power is as fast as with the engine runing. Without AC power, ignition switch on, or the engine running, the slide just barely crawls a little ways.

Also, retract the slide before disconnect shore power. Then start the engine when you are really ready to leave.

Try it the next time. Your RV Park neighbor will appreciate you.

Herb (your slient neighbor)
2002 Allure #30690

Quote from: rvman4u
> And one other question - do you pull the slide in before
starting or doesn't it matter?

Quote

> All thoughts appreciated!
>

> Dave

> '98 Allure #30187

On my coach...you HAVE TO start the engine up to run the slide in

or out..

Re: Starting questions?

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7941
Sully writes below that the engine has to be running in order for him to extend or retract his slide out. I have 2000 Allure 30493 and I have never read what Sully states. The ignition key has to be set to the on position but it does not state that the engine has to be running...Probably makes no difference but I am curious where Sully got his info. Of course, the key at the slide out pad has to be turned on too. Mike 2000 Allure 30493 now stuck in the snow at Bass Lake, CA.
On Sun, 04 Jan 2004 16:35:55 -0000 "rvman4u" kb8oxo@...> writes:

Re: Starting questions?

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7946
Quote from: rvmike@j\.\.\.
Sully writes below that the engine has to be running in order for him to > extend or retract his slide out. I have 2000 Allure 30493 and I have > never read what Sully states. The ignition key has to be set to the on > position but it does not state that the engine has to be > running...Probably makes no difference but I am curious where Sully got > his info. Of course, the key at the slide out pad has to be turned on > too. Mike 2000 Allure 30493 now stuck in the snow at Bass Lake, CA.
Semi mistake... It doesnt say in my BOOK...that that is the ONLY way to do it...but since within 4-5 minutes of pulling into a spot...Im level and ready TO extend or withdraw it...why should I shut the engine off and use some other ..??.."method". I guess I could shut the engine down...and then fire up the genset..? but where is any advantage to that? Also I use the "idle time" to let the engine and such "cool off". It wont do it with ONLY DC power...or at least never has..?? Ive tried that just to see what happens.

Sully

2000 Allure # 30549

Re: Starting questions? - resolved (hopefully!)

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7949
Thanks to responses and a couple of emails I hopefully have the starting problem resolved - although only time will tell.
I popped the engine cover - very educational (found my pac-brake) but the stuff I needed is better accessed from underneath as some people had informed me. The light from above did make crawling around underneath nicer. I was pleased to find that a wire on the starter solenoid was loose enough that I could spin it around so I took it off, cleaned the lug and the nuts and reassembled it. It started right up so I'll see if that's a trend. Took all of a half hour.

Thanks,
Dave

'98 Allure #30187

Quote from: tandemsince83

Re: Starting questions?

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7950
When we did the walktrough on our coach (2001 Intrigue), CC told us that it is always best to extend/retract with the engine running to insure full voltage to the slide mechanism.----- Original Message -----

Re: Starting questions?

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7955
Thanks for that info. I usually like to level the coach and then turn off the engine and go outside to hookup power cord, etc. Maybe I will change my routine as the bay doors are not in too much of a different position with the slide out...Thanks, rvmike. 2000 Allure 30493

On Tue, 6 Jan 2004 08:49:01 -0800 "buttonwd" buttonwd@...> writes:

Re: Starting questions?

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7956
Thanks for that info. I usually like to level the coach and then turn off the engine and go outside to hookup the power cord, water hose, waste hose, etc. I find it easier to do those chores before extending the slide out. Since the power is now on I do not think engine power will be needed to extend the slide. Mike 2000 Allure 30493

On Tue, 6 Jan 2004 08:49:01 -0800 "buttonwd" buttonwd@...> writes:

Re: Starting questions?

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7957
Quote from: rvmike@j\.\.\.
Thanks for that info. I usually like to level the coach and then turn > off the engine and go outside to hookup the power cord, water hose, waste > hose, etc. I find it easier to do those chores before extending the > slide out. Since the power is now on I do not think engine power will be > needed to extend the slide. Mike 2000 Allure 30493
I usually hook up power and water etc. before extending the slide like you do. I was told by CC at my factory delivery in July 2000, that the engine does not need to be running, especially if hooked to shore power.

Dick

2000 Allure 30592

Re: Starting questions?(when to put slides out)

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7959
Same here, CC said it is better to put them out with engine running, if possible. If proximity to hookups looks good, I level coach, run slides out, (so Lenore can be setting up inside while I am hooking up), plug in, hookup, meet with "Admiral Nelson".

Bill Harris

03 Allure 1st Ave 30912
Datastorm

Quote from: buttonwd
When we did the walktrough on our coach (2001 Intrigue), CC told
us that it is always best to extend/retract with the engine running
to insure full voltage to the slide mechanism.----- Original
Message -----

Quote
From: rvmike@j...

To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 8:22 AM > Subject: Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Starting questions? >

Sully writes below that the engine has to be running in order

for him to

Quote
extend or retract his slide out. I have 2000 Allure 30493 and I

have

Quote
never read what Sully states. The ignition key has to be set to

the on

Quote
position but it does not state that the engine has to be > running...Probably makes no difference but I am curious where

Sully got

Quote
his info. Of course, the key at the slide out pad has to be

turned on

Quote
too. Mike 2000 Allure 30493 now stuck in the snow at Bass Lake,

CA.

Quote
On Sun, 04 Jan 2004 16:35:55 -0000 "rvman4u"

writes:

Quote

> > And one other question - do you pull the slide in before

starting

Quote
or

> > doesn't it matter?
 > >

> > All thoughts appreciated!
 > >

> > Dave

> > '98 Allure #30187
 >

> On my coach...you HAVE TO start the engine up to run the slide

in or

Quote
out..
 >

> Sully

> 2000 Alllure #30549
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >

> To visit your group on the web, go to: > >
 >

> ">Country-Coach-Owners-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > >
 >

Quote
____ This
email was pre-scanned by Spam Guardian A Service Provided by http://www.foothill.net
 

Re: Starting questions?(when to put slides out)

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7962
Quote from: Bill Harris"
Same here, CC said it is better to put them out with engine running, > if possible. If proximity to hookups looks good, I level coach, run > slides out, (so Lenore can be setting up inside while I am hooking > up), plug in, hookup, meet with "Admiral Nelson".
Bill Harris

03 Allure 1st Ave 30912
Bill: Thats the "verbalization" I was given also...from the dealer and from C Coach when I called once and just happen to ask.

Sully

2000 Allure # 30549