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Front Sway Bar End Loose Again

Yahoo Message Number: 106055
Our front sway bar has come loose again on the passenger side of our 2005 Intrigue Ovation 525 #11872. This has happened so many times in the last 12 years that I have lost count. Has anyone come up with a better fitting for the ends of the sway bar that is an improvement over the standard rubber bushings, a couple of washers, and a bolt?

Bob

'05 Intrigue 11872

Re: Engine won't start

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106065
I should know the answer to this, but my 2008 Tribute 260 has been mostly parked for the last year as my wife had both, major back surgery, and a heart attack, which required lots of doctor visits. She is doing better now, and I planned to take her down to Junction City for a visit and then out to the Oregon Coast.

Not so fast! I made sure that the coach batteries were fully charged, but when I hit the "start" switch, I get an amber engine warning light, and a red engine stop light. And to top it off, the engine does not even turn over, and I hear a: "beep, beep, beep" coming from the dash area.

I brought the coach books to the house to review all systems, but am pretty sure that either the start relay is the culprit, or that there is something behind the dash, within the start circuit wiring is the cause. If nothing else, I plan to ask her to try starting, while I measure the battery voltage (looking for a drop), and try to see how many amps draw there is when she tries to energize the start procedure.

Does anyone have any suggestions, such as, "Hey stupid, did you try throwing so-an-so switch?" I am open to suggestions, and will post what I find to be the answer, once I find it.

Thanks much in advance,
Jim Hill

2008 Tribute 260
81138

Re: Engine won't start

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106066
After sitting that long might start with pulling cables and cleaning them and posts.

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Re: Engine won't start

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106067
Yep, I did disconnect all battery cables, clean the already cleaned terminals, and re-tightened them back in place.
Thanks though,
Jim

2008 Tribute 260
81138

Cummins ISL 425 engine

Re: Engine won't start

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106071
Check the coolant level. I assume you have checked the oil, too. What happens when you strap the house and engine batteries together with the boost switch? TWI 2004 intrigue 11731

Re: Engine won't start

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106073
I did check the coolant level, and the oil level. I tried using the "Boost" switch, per the manual, by holding it down for 20 seconds before start attempt, and continuing to hold it down during the start attempt. Still the starter didn't turn. Good tip though.
I plan to put my voltmeter on the battery this morning to see if there is even a drop during a start attempt. If there is, I will also check the amperage draw with my Fluke Ammeter.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Jim

Re: Engine won't start

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106074
Turn the headlights on and hit the starter, if the headlights go out you have a dead battery,

Mikee

Re: Engine won't start

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106075
I can imagine 300 amp draw while trying to start the engine. One of my vans with a 460 engine would pull that much with a worn starter. Does the starter feel warm, very warm, or hot after an attempt? MAybe one of the brushes has cracked! I know recently even with my engine battery showing 12.7 volts the starter wouldn't engage the engine. I had to show 13 volts before the system would work and the Bendix would engage. TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731 PS. Have you checked to make sure none of the push button circuit breakers have tripped?

Re: Engine won't start

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106077
You are likely correct in the huge draw of amperage. I will try to report what I find. I did in fact check all of the push circuit breakers for the battery compartment. There may be one extra breaker between the relay and the starter, but I will have to crawl under the coach and try to look for it this morning.
Thanks,
Jim

Re: Engine won't start

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106078
How did you determine that the batteries were fully charged? Voltage, hydrometer or load test?

A test I have seen used on cars, is to turn on the headlight which should be bright, not dim. Watch the headlights as you try to start the engine. Do the lights dim or go out while trying to crank the engine?

Or monitor the battery voltage while trying to start the engine. Does it dip way down (to a voltage that can't crank the engine but can still illuminate the warning lights.

On my golf cart recently (42V system -- 7 6V golf cart batteries in series), They appears to fully charge but I was barely able to go three miles before I had to coast back into my driveway. Found two of the seven 24 month old batteries failed a load test with a load tester I borrowed. Golf cart repair friend gave me two used (also about 24 month old) batteries that did not fail a load test, swapped them out, now it is almost like new, and plenty of get up and go after even three miles.

Herb

CCO Group Moderator

Re: Engine won't start

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106079
The starter is not on a breaker circuit. The big cable on the starter goes from the battery direct to the starter.

Mikee

Re: Engine won't start

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106080
Did that, all terminals are cleaned and properly coated. Thanks for the tip though.
Jim

Re: Engine won't start

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106081
Hi Mikee,

Greg, at CC said that some coaches have a breaker, frame mounted, between the start solenoid near the main batteries and the starter. My coach didn't though.
Thanks much,
Jim Hill

2008 Tribute 260
81138

Re: Engine won't start

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106082
The remote solenoid is not usually part of the starter on these coaches. The actual starter solenoid is usually on the starter. The solenoid you are mentioning is a relay controlled by the ignition switch that controls the solenoid on the starter.

Mikee

Re: Engine won't start

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106083
Problem found. There is a start solenoid located in the drivers side fwd compartment. By bypassing the solenoid, the engine turns over. Replaced what looked like a brand new solenoid, and all is well now.

I use a heavy duty truck battery charger capable of 275 amps for starting power. I checked the battery condition with a Fluke 73III Volt/Amp Meter, and checked also with a Midtronics MDX-600 Series Battery Conductance and Electrical System Analyzer.
Thanks to all that provided suggestions and helpful hints.
Jim Hill

2008 Country Coach Tribute 260
81138

Re: Front Sway Bar End Loose Again

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106084
I had the same problem years ago and solved it with two locknuts. One on top of the other. Simple fix. Had the same propblem withe the pax and driver's seat coming loose at mount. New locknuts solved that problem.

Larry, 03 Allure 30856

Re: Engine won't start

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106087
That would be correct for what I found. But, if it is inop, no start! I learned a valuable lesson.
Jim

Re: Engine won't start

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106091
On my old rig that solenoid is labeled as the ignition solenoid.

Same problem and solution, but the real problem on mine was a bad ground from that ignition solenoid.

Dean

95 Magna 5280