Coach won't start

JTN8 · 11-22-2013, 06:10 PM

So my coach won't start and the chassis batteries are only reading 3.6 volts. I tried the aux start and I get nothing. My house batteries are full and the coach is plugged into 50amps! Does anyone have any ideas on what to do and can I jump start the coach off the house batteries???

Thanks

Jason

10x · 11-22-2013, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTN8

So my coach won't start and the chassis batteries are only reading 3.6 volts. I tried the aux start and I get nothing. My house batteries are full and the coach is plugged into 50amps! Does anyone have any ideas on what to do and can I jump start the coach off the house batteries???

Thanks

Jason

You should be able to jump them with cables if the house batteries are 12 volt.

NO3putt · 11-22-2013, 06:30 PM

Can you start your genny? If so I think they will charge up your coach batteries after the house batteries are fully charged. How long has your unit been sitting? Any lights, warnings showing up on dash?

JTN8 · 11-22-2013, 07:10 PM

My coach is plugged in. Won't that charge the batteries?
No I get no lights at all on the dash or anything. They are completely dead. Does the generator charge the chassis batteries?? If so why wouldn't shore power?

tmmar · 11-22-2013, 07:15 PM

Could the battery shut off switch gotten turned to the off position somehow? Also, check to see if there are any fuses/breakers in the battery compartment or on the inverter that could have tripped.

10x · 11-22-2013, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTN8

My coach is plugged in. Won't that charge the batteries?
No I get no lights at all on the dash or anything. They are completely dead. Does the generator charge the chassis batteries?? If so why wouldn't shore power?

Are the battery terminals corroded?

kingwood390bh · 11-22-2013, 07:27 PM

A battery charger or a 12 volt jump start should give you an indication of where to start. As soon as you connect a charger to your batteries you should get dash lights even if the unit still wont start. Also, the toggle switch on the dash, (AUX) should allow for battery sharing to start the unit.

Batts-toy · 11-22-2013, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTN8

So my coach won't start and the chassis batteries are only reading 3.6 volts. I tried the aux start and I get nothing. My house batteries are full and the coach is plugged into 50amps! Does anyone have any ideas on what to do and can I jump start the coach off the house batteries???

Thanks

Jason

If you have another vehicle available and jumper cables I think you should take that approach. With only 3.6 volts that battery is totally dead (or badly corroded cables at the posts 10x may be spot on) and will have to be cycled up with an alternator or a good charger that has the ability to cycle up dead batteries. You will have to let the jumper cables have time to charge your battery for a while before attempting to start your coach.

JTN8 · 11-22-2013, 07:48 PM

Aux start won't work!! Not sure why since house batteries are full and coach is plugged in. Ran jumper cables from my house batteries to chassis batteries and all lights came on but I fried my cables!! Don't think they were strong enough for the voltage!!! Going to get better cables and try tomorrow. Still don't understand why my aux start won't work though!!! Is there anything special I need to do to make it work???

10x · 11-22-2013, 08:01 PM

Your batteries for your engine are a separate circuit, they are not connected to the house batteries. Sounds like you need new batteries for you engine. How old are they?

JTN8 · 11-22-2013, 08:05 PM

It's a brand new coach, 2014 that I picked up in July. Nothing was left on either so it's a little weird

DSurette · 11-22-2013, 08:09 PM

With a completely dead chassis battery there is a lot of current being drawn from the house batteries when you use the aux start or use jumpers. That's why you fried your cables. You really need to charge your chassis battery for a while before even trying to start the engine. That dead battery is probably loading down the house batteries and then trying to start the engine only drops the voltage further. If you're not in a hurry, put a battery charger on the chassis battery and see if it will take a charge. Or swap out one of the house batteries for the chassis battery and charge the chassis battery with the converter

JTN8 · 11-22-2013, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSurette

With a completely dead chassis battery there is a lot of current being drawn from the house batteries when you use the aux start or use jumpers. That's why you fried your cables. You really need to charge your chassis battery for a while before even trying to start the engine. That dead battery is probably loading down the house batteries and then trying to start the engine only drops the voltage further. If you're not in a hurry, put a battery charger on the chassis battery and see if it will take a charge. Or swap out one of the house batteries for the chassis battery and charge the chassis battery with the converter

Can I swap them? Think the house batteries are 6volt and chassis 12.... Not sure if I an do that. Going to ask some buddies and see if they have a charger and try that

DSurette · 11-22-2013, 08:31 PM

Sorry, I didn't realize that the house batteries were 6 volt. Guess that wouldn't work too well. I sure would like to know what caused the chassis battery to get completely drained like that. I guess it's possible that you have a bad cell but you will find out soon enough when you try to charge it.

NO3putt · 11-22-2013, 08:46 PM

House batteries are 6volt while chassis is 12 volt, don't try to swap them. I carry a small battery charger with us when we travel, recommend you get one also, really helps when I leave the key on in the toad. Also, don't you have coachnet since you have a new unit? Would call them and let them help you. Also on the aux start, you need to hold it down for it to work.

JTN8 · 11-22-2013, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NO3putt

House batteries are 6volt while chassis is 12 volt, don't try to swap them. I carry a small battery charger with us when we travel, recommend you get one also, really helps when I leave the key on in the toad. Also, don't you have coachnet since you have a new unit? Would call them and let them help you. Also on the aux start, you need to hold it down for it to work.

Held it in and the light on the aux switch light was very very dim and I got nothing on my dash lights with the key on.... When the jumper cables
We're first attached, all lights
Came on until the cables fried...

boowho · 11-22-2013, 09:33 PM

I'm an very dedicated DIY guy, but with your problem it sounds serious enough that I'd consult a professional. Especially being under warranty.

If you're frying jumper cables, the next thing to go could be the entire coach!!!

3.6 Volts is BEYOND dead on a 12 V battery. It would not surprise me to find the batt(s) permanently damaged and will no longer accept a charge at all.

Just my $.02 worth

Boowho??

Campin Cajun · 11-24-2013, 08:57 AM

Any updates on this? I'm very curious to find out what the problem is.

Ford Idaho · 11-24-2013, 09:20 AM

Fried jumper cables?

You need to find out why ASAP!

JTN8 · 11-24-2013, 10:33 AM

Not sure why the cables fried... They weren't the best set and they weren't heavy duty cables. I bought a battery charger yesterday and charged them back up and the coach started right up. Going to check the voltage in a little while to see if they held a charge or not. If they did, I'm assuming I left something on to drain them. If not then I'll be taking it to freight liner for some new batteries.

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