Houston, we DO have a problem!!!

[boowho]

Haven't started trouble shooting yet, but here I sit at an I80 parking area in Wyoming and the engine started won't engage.

I had put the jacks down planning to stay over night. Then changed our mind and pulled them back up. Tried to drive off and got the "bucking bronc" treat.

So shut the engine down, lowered the jacks all the way. Next was going to start the engine to make sure the bags were inflated all the way before retracting them again. WELL, the damn starter won't even engage.

First think I'll check of course is fuses. But I wanted to get this posted ASAP so some that may have ideas can chime in. The chassis batteries are NEW and fully charged. I tried the "assist from house batts" and no hell there either.

Luckily, I'd basically planned to stay here overnight anyhow, so maybe it'll just be a minor blip on the RADAR.

Anyhow, off to check fuses and other possibilities.... I'm almost certain it's a lockout of some sort, possibly related to the leveling jacks.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

Boowho??

[Ford Idaho]

Is it in park or neutral?

[tmmar]

Boo,
Is trans in neutral? Try jiggling the key when trying to start. Maybe an ignition problem. Try bringing the jacks up again before you try to start. Next time you get the bucking bronk issue, just stop the coach, put in neutral, and hit the retract all again. Wait a minute until you hear the whoosh from the relief valve and you should be good to go.

[boowho]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

Is it in park or neutral?

Tranny in Neutral park brake engaged. This may have to do with that old problem where the damn coach just shuts down whilst going down the road.

Have looked for fuses in the !2V fuse compartment, but no joy. I imagine that any fuses for the jacks are the in-line type. Have to find them.

Tom, I'll jiggle the ignition switch around some. Thanks

Boowho??

[Ford Idaho]

How about giving the bottom of each jack good smack with a 2X4 and then retract?

[DuncanM]

I know that this is a totally dumb question, but, is your front windshield shade lowered? Don't know if the engine will start with it down will it?

[lefaivre]

This may seem crazy but.did someone hit the battery disconnect beside the front door.

Not.sure why this switch even exists since the three switches in the battery compartment are the only ones that enyone should ever use.

Tim

[boowho]

Originally Posted by DuncanM

I know that this is a totally dumb question, but, is your front windshield shade lowered? Don't know if the engine will start with it down will it?

Not dumb at all.... But both front shades are fully retracted. The problem is something has the starter locked out. I've pretty much exhausted all MY trouble shooting capabilities.

If I wanted to crawl around under the coach with a VOM I might be able to spot something. But I'm too damn old for that; I'll just call my emergency road service and let them send out a St Bernard with a keg of brandy.

Luckily, I'm where I wanted to stop for the night anyhow.

Boowho??

[tmmar]

Boo,
Before you call a road service, have you tried calling the Freightliner help line? They may be able to give you some other things to try and help you trouble shoot the problem.

[tmmar]

The number is 1-800-FTL-HELP

[CT Camper]

Call 800 FTL HELP. They will get you going. Those guys are great and it's 24/7!

[lefaivre]

As far as the bucking bronc issue is concerned. It you follow these simple steps.you will never.have the problem again.

Start the unit and let air pressure come up to cutoff.

Turn the engine off, turn Jacks on and hit retract all.

Once the Jack panel beeps and the lights go off, restart the engine.

Let.the engine run until it is up to temp and the air pressure has reached cutoff before disengaging brake ànd putting rv.into gear.

Good luck

[boowho]

Originally Posted by lefaivre

This may seem crazy but.did someone hit the battery disconnect beside the front door.

Not.sure why this switch even exists since the three switches in the battery compartment are the only ones that enyone should ever use.

Tim

No, the LED is lit but I WILL go outside and wiggle the two big switches in the battery compartment. Good Idea!!!

Boowho??

[boowho]

Originally Posted by CT Camper

Call 800 FTL HELP. They will get you going. Those guys are great and it's 24/7!

Thanks to you and Tom..... Will be my next action...... NOW!!!!

boowho??

[Phil57]

Boo can you cycle the jacks a couple of times. Maybe even the slides as well. If it started then won't after you ran the jacks I would suspect a switch hung up. I also wonder if turning off the battery switch and then back on might reboot the system similar to a computer.

[boowho]

Thanks to FL CS... I'm running. Sh**, dodged THAT bullet.

I had shut the engine down while still in "F".... MUST be in "N".

Took the guy (jhn) about 30 seconds to diagnose.

Thanks all.....

Boowho??

[Phil57]

Sweet. Now with all that money you just saved by your bride a nice dinner.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by boowho

Thanks to FL CS... I'm running. Sh**, dodged THAT bullet.

I had shut the engine down while still in "F".... MUST be in "N".

Took the guy (jhn) about 30 seconds to diagnose.

Thanks all.....

Boowho??

[CT Camper]

Great news!! It's a fantastic free service and I love the fact they are there 24/7. The one of there techs in Gaffeny said there even working on Christmas and other holidays if needed.

[toslow]

Originally Posted by CT Camper

Great news!! It's a fantastic free service and I love the fact they are there 24/7. The one of there techs in Gaffeny said there even working on Christmas and other holidays if needed.

wow now thats service over and above, great to see this still exists.