2009 Cherokee Destination Elect problems

[JimStinson]

My 2009 Cherokee destination/park camper's living room lights worked when I bought it, but when I moved it to my property, they no longer work.

Trying to get drawings/schematics from Forest River has proven impossible. I even had a major RV dealer try to obtain them with no luck.

Can anybody help me out...this may be my LAST Forest River product.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

My 2009 Cherokee destination/park camper's living room lights worked when I bought it, but when I moved it to my property, they no longer work.

Trying to get drawings/schematics from Forest River has proven impossible. I even had a major RV dealer try to obtain them with no luck.

Can anybody help me out...this may be my LAST Forest River product.

If I'm reading this correctly, you just now bought a 10 y.o. Cherokee and you may not buy another Forest River product because
1. you can't get your living room lights to work OR
2. you can't find drawings/schematics?

Seems like 1 member out of 100 here has access to drawing/schematics... since they almost never exist.

Now - are your living room lights 110v AC or 12v DC powered? Are your living room lights the only things that don't work? How about your microwave?

[JimStinson]

Please don't be sarcastic...I have never owned a travel trailer before now and I just find it amazing that there are no drawing/manuals for these things.

As I stated in my post, the lights worked when I bought it. I moved it 20 miles and now they don't work.

I believe they are 12v lights because they are exactly like the bedroom lights which have automotive bulbs in them.

The manual inaccessibility is the reason for my comment on purchasing another Forest River. You may rest assured that I will leave the dealer with a manual for the next one, or I will not be buying one. PERIOD.

Jim

[JimStinson]

Edit didn't work.

I forgot...Rest of electrical system seems to be ok.

[Mr. Dan]

If they are 12v lights, there should be a 15-20 amp fuse in the electrical panel labeled something like "Living Room". See if it's blown.

[Msgtret]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

Please don't be sarcastic...I have never owned a travel trailer before now and I just find it amazing that there are no drawing/manuals for these things.

As I stated in my post, the lights worked when I bought it. I moved it 20 miles and now they don't work.

I believe they are 12v lights because they are exactly like the bedroom lights which have automotive bulbs in them.

The manual inaccessibility is the reason for my comment on purchasing another Forest River. You may rest assured that I will leave the dealer with a manual for the next one, or I will not be buying one. PERIOD.

Jim

Well then you probably won’t be buying another one. They don’t come with a manual like a car. They come with manuals that cover individual items like the microwave, water heater etc. All the RV’s are that way, not just Forest River.

[JimStinson]

Yeah, forgot to mention that I am a reasonably mechanically minded guy and I have done all the "Normal" trouble shooting one would expect.

That's why I am pulling my hair out looking for a drawing. I can follow the drawings to problem areas to fix.

[JimStinson]

Thanks MSgt. Looking more and more like I am going to go buy Ghadaffi's used tents!

Oh, And thanks for your service!
I did 22 years in Navy - Submarines.

MMCS/SS Jim Stinson

[Bama Rambler]

Start with the easiest things to do first. Since you've checked all the fuses, go to the lights that aren't working and pull them down and see if there are any wires loose or corroded.

If that's not it, then go under the unit and see if you can find how the wiring is routed and see if there are any pinched or broken wires there.

[TTED]

Since the lamps are not working you have an open circuit. You need to find out if the power or ground is open. What I would do is get a volt meter or a power probe and find out if I have power and ground to the lamps. Once you find out which leg is open you can trace that circuit. If both legs are open most likely have cut wires. I found the wiring changed color 3 times from the trailer plug to the tail lamps on my old trailer!
Best of luck,
Ed