Coach keyless entry stopped working

[LandKKnight]

Our coach keyless keypad and keyfob just stopped working. It always worked before, perfectly. Now it seems no power to it at all. Also, the handle outside the door won't light up either. Are these related? Any ideas, anyone? I tried searching the forum but can't find the solution.
Thanks,
Linda

[rskeans]

Ignoring that the door handle won't light which is bothersome, I understand that the key pad gets its power from some contacts near the bottom of the screen door. You might make sure that the contacts are clear and shiny.

[caseymyers]

Check fuses of course but don't forget the electrical connection at the bottom of the door, that's for the electric door button and probably the electric step too. If the door/switch alignment is off you might be loosing contact and break the circuit.

[shultz01]

Ours has an intermittent issue. I believe its the contacts on the door. If I give the door a tap in the area of the contacts it starts to work again. The contacts are nice and clean. They are spring loaded, so I lubricated with silicone. Still have issue.

[The Renegade]

Linda I know you have an Isata and not sure this will be any help but I know on the Force there is a fuse under the entry steps. Just an idea.. Good luck

[rskeans]

Originally Posted by shultz01

Ours has an intermittent issue. I believe its the contacts on the door.

I have solved many problems with Contact Cleaner. I got a spray can at ACE. Spray it everywhere and work everything while it's still wet. Its worth a try.

[halla]

I added dielectric grease to the contact too. Cut down on the contacts getting surface rust

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by halla

I added dielectric grease to the contact too. Cut down on the contacts getting surface rust

Dielectric means "non-conducting." Might be better to use a graphite-filled, conducting grease, although you're probably finding that the mechanical scrubbing that occurs when the door is closed is sufficient to make good contact.

Larry

[halla]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

Dielectric means "non-conducting." Might be better to use a graphite-filled, conducting grease, although you're probably finding that the mechanical scrubbing that occurs when the door is closed is sufficient to make good contact.



Larry

Are you sure about that? I have used it in electrical sockets and light sockets on vehicles for years. According to permatex most dielectric grease are conducive

[KRedburn]

Originally Posted by LandKKnight

Our coach keyless keypad and keyfob just stopped working. It always worked before, perfectly. Now it seems no power to it at all. Also, the handle outside the door won't light up either. Are these related? Any ideas, anyone? I tried searching the forum but can't find the solution.
Thanks,
Linda

Fuse for this is in the stair steps cable harness. A meter check/ test lamp (12v) at the contacts will verify if power is available. If no power at the contacts then check/replace the fuse near the upper part of the steps assembly. If you have power then clean the contacts and see if you have power at the keypad (press any key they should light up) If lights come on on the keypad then enter your passcode. If it locks but won't unlock ( or vice versa) then call challenger door. There is a known issue with the poplocks keypad. Talk to Arlen at challenger door.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by halla

Are you sure about that? I have used it in electrical sockets and light sockets on vehicles for years. According to permatex most dielectric grease are conducive

Yes, I am sure.

A dielectric (or dielectric material) is the insulating material inside a capacitor which separates the two metal plates. It does not conduct (no continuous electron flow) but charge does move towards the metal plates. That's why a capacitor blocks DC but (to an extent) conducts AC.

Another example: When installing a domestic water heater in a home with metal piping it is common practice to install "dielectric unions" (see picture). They break the metallic path between the hot and cold water loops to prevent erosion of the water tank liner and pipes.

Here are some definitions:

A dielectric (or dielectric material) is an electrical insulator that can be polarized by an applied electric field. When a dielectric is placed in an electric field, electric charges do not flow through the material as they do in an electrical conductor but only slightly shift from their average equilibrium positions causing dielectric polarization. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dielectric

Dielectric, insulating material or a very poor conductor of electric current. When dielectrics are placed in an electric field, practically no current flows in them because, unlike metals, they have no loosely bound, or free, electrons that may drift through the material.
https://www.britannica.com/science/dielectric

What is a Dielectric? - Definition from Techopedia
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/603/dielectric
A dielectric material is a type of insulator which becomes polarized when it comes in contact with an electrical field. It can easily support an electrostatic field even though it is not a conductor of electricity.
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/603/dielectric

Are you sure you weren't reading a disclaimer from Permatex, perhaps saying that the product wasn't a perfect dielectric? Why don't you post their statement?

Larry

[LandKKnight]

Thanks everyone for the input. Apparently the contacts were misaligned. DH adjusted and it works now. Not sure how they misaligned but we've had trouble with the door closing properly since we got it. Dealer has adjusted this door twice now, and DH once and still wonky.

[rskeans]

That's great! Thanks for the feedback.

[halla]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

Yes, I am sure.



A dielectric (or dielectric material) is the insulating material inside a capacitor which separates the two metal plates. It does not conduct (no continuous electron flow) but charge does move towards the metal plates. That's why a capacitor blocks DC but (to an extent) conducts AC.



Another example: When installing a domestic water heater in a home with metal piping it is common practice to install "dielectric unions" (see picture). They break the metallic path between the hot and cold water loops to prevent erosion of the water tank liner and pipes.



Here are some definitions:



A dielectric (or dielectric material) is an electrical insulator that can be polarized by an applied electric field. When a dielectric is placed in an electric field, electric charges do not flow through the material as they do in an electrical conductor but only slightly shift from their average equilibrium positions causing dielectric polarization. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dielectric



Dielectric, insulating material or a very poor conductor of electric current. When dielectrics are placed in an electric field, practically no current flows in them because, unlike metals, they have no loosely bound, or free, electrons that may drift through the material.

https://www.britannica.com/science/dielectric



What is a Dielectric? - Definition from Techopedia

https://www.techopedia.com/definition/603/dielectric

A dielectric material is a type of insulator which becomes polarized when it comes in contact with an electrical field. It can easily support an electrostatic field even though it is not a conductor of electricity.

https://www.techopedia.com/definition/603/dielectric



Are you sure you weren't reading a disclaimer from Permatex, perhaps saying that the product wasn't a perfect dielectric? Why don't you post their statement?



Larry

Dielectric unions and diectric grease are two different things. I appreciate your input but you are wrong with the grease. It is made for electric sockets and light sockets, which wouldn’t work if it didnt conduct. Here is the definition from permatex.

Protects electrical connections and wiring from salt, dirt and corrosion. Extends the life of bulb sockets. Prevents voltage leakage around any electrical connection. Also prevents spark plugs from fusing to boots. Required for modern high energy ignition systems.

[harleybiker]

I

Originally Posted by halla

Dielectric unions and diectric grease are two different things. I appreciate your input but you are wrong with the grease. It is made for electric sockets and light sockets, which wouldn’t work if it didnt conduct. Here is the definition from permatex.

Protects electrical connections and wiring from salt, dirt and corrosion. Extends the life of bulb sockets. Prevents voltage leakage around any electrical connection. Also prevents spark plugs from fusing to boots. Required for modern high energy ignition systems.

The permatex explanation of what dielectric grease does never says it conducts electricity, it even says it prevents voltage leakage..... Dielectric grease is not a conductor.

[halla]

Originally Posted by harleybiker

I



The permatex explanation of what dielectric grease does never says it conducts electricity, it even says it prevents voltage leakage..... Dielectric grease is not a conductor.

Ok so explain how a light bulb still works if you put it in the socket? You guys are arguing semantics . I added it to the door contacts, they still work, so they are still conducting.

[Bill Davis]

Originally Posted by halla

Ok so explain how a light bulb still works if you put it in the socket? You guys are arguing semantics . I added it to the door contacts, they still work, so they are still conducting.

Think about it this way Halla. If dielectric grease was a conductor then it would connect the ground and hot sides of your light bulb causing a dead short, just as if you removed the bulb and stuck a screwdriver in the socket and touched the side of the socket to the button on the bottom. Hence a dead short. Dielectric grease will keep the moisture out of a connector or socket without causing a short. The light bulb still makes it’s normal connection despite the grease.

[bclemens]

Dielectric Grease vs Conductive Grease

Interesting. I never really thought about it.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by halla

Ok so explain how a light bulb still works if you put it in the socket? You guys are arguing semantics . I added it to the door contacts, they still work, so they are still conducting.

As I said above, it is likely that the scrubbing action of inserting a lamp into the socket displaces enough grease that electrical contact is made.

Halla, if you are so certain that dielectric grease conducts, please try this experiment and report the results:

• Place a dollop (maybe marble-sized) onto a sheet of glass or plastic.
• Take your ohmmeter probes and measure the resistance from across the glob of grease.
• Report the resistance.
• No fair touching the probes inside the greaseball.

Larry