Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over? (Read 22 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Yahoo Message Number: 159797
Hi folks, Getting my 2005 mid bath ready for a 30 day trip and I've managed to mess up my electrical system. It started when I noticed my electric step wouldn't retract. The switch by the doorway is un-lit. I tried replacing every fuse I could locate, (behind the switch, inline above the emergency break. and the one in the main house fusebox near the sink) but it still won't work.

Also, while testing some of the 12v outlets, I managed to short out the lower dash 12v socket and the radio. I've tried replacing the fuses under the hood that are marked as CB and radio, still no power. Can't seem to find the fuse for the lower dash 12v either.

The biggest problem seems to be that now, the engine will not turn over. The dash lights up, the odometer shows milage, but then also says to check gauges. The battery is charged, so not a dead battery problem. I am a bit frantic at this point. Any suggestions at all would be greatly appreciated. I feel like this is mostly caused by a bad fuse, but have no clue where to look next.

Thanks, Davidg.
2005 MB
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159798
Hello David. I haven't been able to find an on-line manual for a '05 Ford E350 or E450. Nevertheless, if you think there are damaged fuses related to starting the engine, you might check the starter solenoid fuse. If the engine turns over, there are two (2) fuses that are connected to the fuel pump. In addition, fuses for the dash 12V plugs on my '09 are located in the fusebox under the hood. I'll continue to search for an on-line manual for an '05. Hope this helps a little bit.

Ed & Margee - '09 MB Fort Worth
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159804
David-

I have wiring diagrams for a 2006 E-450. On them:

1) "Cigar" lighter fed from Fuse 2.26 (20A) in Central Junction Box  (the box under the dash). This is the most likely candidate for your problem, as a second connection off that fuse feeds the "Data Link Connector," part of the chassis logic system.

2) The starter relay is fed by Fuse 2.33 (10A), also in the Central Junction Box.

I have the service manual that goes with the 2006, too, but it'd be best to start by replacing the fuses listed above.

Mark
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159806
Hi David,

To answer your question about a fuse preventing the engine from turning over, according to my 2003 Lazy Daze owner's manual, there is a fuse in the Ford fuse panel below the dash, that "protects the ignition lead that automatically retracts the step once the ignition key is turned on". The manual states that it is a 5 amp mini-fuse located in the number 3 slot. I don't know if that fuse would actually prevent the starter from engaging or not.

I've read your post a few times and IF I was in your shoes, I would go back to square #1. Are the house batteries (which power the step) charged? And if they batteries are charged, are the batteries powering the house systems? For example, if your coach has the battery disconnect switch, have the batteries been turned off?

If the batteries are indeed connected and charged, do you have power to the other 12 volt systems? Do the interior lights light up? Does the water pump turn on? If the batteries are charged and connected, but the 12 volt systems are not working, you may have tripped one of the hidden circuit breakers. From looking at my 2003 Lazy Daze owner's manual, there are two circuit breakers that many folks aren't aware of. One is supposed to be located in the house battery box. From the diagram in my manual, there is a manually resettable 12 volt, 100amp breaker in the house battery box that is connected to a #6 red wire that heads to the diode isolator. The other manually resettable circuit breaker is a 12 volt, 50 amp, also connected to a #6 red wire that is IN the motorhome within 2' of the house batteries.

You had mentioned that you did not have power to a 12volt socket on the dash, from what I remember, that is probably connected to the house batteries and NOT the truck battery. The radio is also connected to the house batteries.

Based on your post, (no red light by the door step switch and no power to the lower 12volt receptacle on the dash) I suspect your house batteries are not powering your motorhome. Have you tried plugging it in to shore power? I would check the most basic thing first before I start chasing fuses and circuit breakers; that means the house batteries are suspect number 1.

Please let us know what you learn. Good luck! Steve K (with another 6" of fresh white snow!)
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159808
Steve, Initially, the only problem was the step not having power. In my zeal to check whether I had power in the 12v outlets, I inserted a voltage tester into the outlet, then thought I heard a subtle "pop" or a "tick". This was probably either a fuse blowing or a circuit breaker, or something like that. I apparently shorted out the lower dash 12v. I then noticed the radio also didn't work, and later, when I attempted to start the engine, I got nothing but the dash lights coming on and a "check gauges" message on the odometer.

House batteries are good. All other systems work. Pumps, lights, heater, fridge. I'd just driven the rig about 40 miles bringing it back from storage and it started right up. Seems like it is a fuse problem. I will take your advice and start over. I have a few other things to check. One poster suggested checking the fuse to the solenoid. Since I get no clicking sound when turning on the ignition, this may be the source.

Note to all - does Progressive have the ability to send out someone who could troubleshoot the electrical problem, because my only other option is to tow it somewhere.

Thanks David G
2005 MB
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159810
David,

Based on what you've stated, I would check that fuse I mentioned that is in the lower dash fuse block; the one that links the electric step to the ignition system.

Regarding the electric step not working, have you checked to see if the magnets on the lower door frame that align with the screen door are there and making contact?

As for Progressive towing your rig, I would think that would depend on if your coverage. Insurance companies tend to cover towing for accidents. We have our insurance with Progressive but have Coach Net for RV problem situations.

Good luck.
Steve K.
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159811
Quick update. Solved the ignition problem. When I was checking and switching out the fused in the house box, I inadvertently put a fuse in the wrong space. The #8 30A fuse was put in the #14 space and caused a loss of power to the ignition, apparently.

Also finally found the lower 12v outlet fuse - totally blown. Now it works as well. Still have to find the radio fuses and solve the step problem, but at least now I can move.

I may have to end up driving with the step down. I know its not advisable, but hopefully I can solve this one as well.

David
2005 MB
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159815
David, I drove for 2 weeks and half way back from CA to CO recently with the step out. It started working again on the way home and now works fine. I will troubleshoot it soon to check for loose connections or dying module/motor. It was not the fuses. Amazing how many folks waved and pointed to let me know the step was out.

Chris ('02 31')
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159816
Chris, was your red indicator light switch still working, or was it like mine with no apparent power going to it so that even the light in the switch was off?

David
2005 MB
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159820
The red indicator light and under step light were still working. Since it did not appear to be a fuse or power source problem, I can only speculate that either the control unit or motor assembly is going on the fritz, or there is a loose wire/connection someplace. Any ideas would be welcome for troubleshooting. Kwikee sells a kit to analyze the set up but I would rather not have to buy one. And surely if I don't find the problem, it will crop up again.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159822
Still no progress with the dead radio and step problems. Thought I had the radio problem fixed when I found a fuse position labeled, "Radio" in the Owners Manual for the coach fuse box. It was empty in my fuse box, but adding a fuse there didn't fix the problem.

It made me look more closely at manual and actual box though. Some slots contain fuses that the manual indicates as "Unused" while others (like the radio slot) are empty. Some of those slots do not have metal clips to hold the fuse, so are clearly unused. Others do have clips that would hole fuses. Does this sound normal? does Lazy Daze add fuses to the box for their own use?

Also now looking for recommendations for someone to work on these electrical problems. I won't worry about it now, because I'm leaving on a 30 day trip on Monday. The biggest problem was the not starting thing, which I fixed. I am in San Francisco and can travel a reasonable distance. Would any good truck repair shop be able to track this down? Would an RV shop be a better approach?

Thanks once again, David
2005 MB
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159823
David-

If LD did it the same way as they did for our 1997/8 MB, the fuses for the radio and CB are under the hood, near the Ford fuse box. They were in-line fuses in yellow rubber holders. They were wired to the house battery terminal of the diode isolator (the bluish box with three terminals on it). The middle terminal hosts the charge wire from the alternator, and one terminal each goes to the chassis and house batteries.

Wired this way, the radio and CB run off the house battery, not the chassis battery.

Mark
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159824
Yes, I found both those fuses under the hood. Both were good, so I am stumped as to where to look next.

David
2005 MB
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159834
In cases like this just follow the wire from the radio.. Have you used volt meter or lite to make sure the problem is really no power to the radio rather than a bad radio..
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159836
I'd also check to be sure there is 12 V at that fuse.

Rich
Former 2000 MB- Now Bullet Crossfire 1800RB trailer pulled by a Chevy 2500HD
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159908
Just a follow up and resolution of my problems. Everything is working again. Though I am reluctant to cop to my own stupidness, I will for the sake of "Don't do what I did" school of thought. It seems that in my slightly panicked zeal to find and correct the source of the electrical problems, all of which I created myself, I created even more. Too much over-thinkings.

The biggest problem turned out to be the fact that after removing my house batteries to clean the compartment, I neglected to connect one of the leads back to the positive post. Yep, the one that supplies power to the step. But it also affected the radio and CB. The lead got bent back to where I didn't see it and just attached the two other positives and the two grounds. Turns out, the radio plays just fine when the engine is running and the lead is not connected, so I didn't realize it was affected till later when I turned the radio on with the engine not running, it wouldn't work. Nor with key turned to accessory position.I thought I'd shorted out a couple of fuses when I was testing the 1v receptacles.

I eventually discovered this when I went over the fuses for the step, and looking inside the battery compartment for the step fuse there, saw the offending lead unattached. Of course it cured all my problems - except for the fact that on the way to Pinnacles, I brushed the extended step on a high embankment on a narrow road, bending it badly. Talk about sabotaging yourself. Guess I didn't have enough stress. I've had enough now and am going to leave my rig alone.

Thanks all who had suggestions and advise.

David
2005 MB
 
Re: Is there a fuse that prevents engine from turning over?
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 159953
David,

thanks for the followup and lessons learned.
File that one in the "The next time I do that it will be a mistake" folder. cheers.

Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE