No Power on Engine side of Motorhome

[Cariley]

We have a 2016 Forester on an E450 Chassis. I went to start it to exercise the engine and generator and battery was dead. I put in new battery and still nothing. No dash lights, it doesn't turn over, no relay clicks. Battery shows 12 volts and from battery to ground on fire wall shows 12 volts. It's like a switch or relay is bad, but where and which?
Anyone else experience this problem? Thank you for your help.

[fobagbob]

How did you measure the battery? 12.6 volts is fully charged, 12.0 volts is 50%.

[fobagbob]

There should be a switch on the base of the driver's seat that will switch to the house batteries for starting the engine when the engine battery is dead.

[Cariley]

Originally Posted by fobagbob

How did you measure the battery? 12.6 volts is fully charged, 12.0 volts is 50%.

Yes, battery measures 12.7 to ground on firewall.

[Duckogram]

Good Morning,
Your battery is fully charged based on the 12.7V reading. No juice means you have an open circuit. It also means that nothing will work like headlights, dome light, power windows, door locks etc. So heading down the line the next stop is the breaker. You should have one of these near the battery. (and two more for the house batts). Check to insure the pop out arm is in and voltage from your batt is flowing in and out. Next stop after that is your fuse/breaker box under the hood front right side… (page 125 in the OM)

Edit: Replaced generic photo with one in use on an E-450 (Ken’s Unit).

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by Duckogram

Good Morning,
Your battery is fully charged based on the 12.7V reading. No juice means you have an open circuit. It also means that nothing will work like headlights, dome light, power windows, door locks etc. So heading down the line the next stop is the breaker. You should have one of these near the battery. (and two more for the house batts). Check to insure the pop out arm is in and voltage from your batt is flowing in and out. Next stop after that is your fuse/breaker box under the hood front right side… (page 125 in the OM)

This circuit breaker wouldn't be part of ignition circuit. The fuses/relays that may be part of the issue are:

Power Distribution Box in the engine compartment
relay #2 (starter solenoid)
fuses 13/14/25/36/80

Fuse Panel left of brake pedal
fuse #27

Shootin in the dark here.

[Cariley]

I've checked the fuses&relays suggested and still nothing. I guess it's time to call a mechanic. I'll post what I find out is the problem.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by Cariley

I've checked the fuses&relays suggested and still nothing. I guess it's time to call a mechanic. I'll post what I find out is the problem.

Did you check for and verify voltage on both sides of the CB shown in Duckogram's post?

[poppytoymaker]

Maybe starter relay, or a rodrnt ate through the wires

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Cariley

I've checked the fuses&relays suggested and still nothing. I guess it's time to call a mechanic. I'll post what I find out is the problem.

Do you own a multimeter and know how to use it?

10 minutes with a meter will tell you the issue.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Do you own a multimeter and know how to use it?

10 minutes with a meter will tell you the issue.

Did say " Battery shows 12 volts and from battery to ground on fire wall shows 12 volts". Questions do abound though.

[Cariley]

Got it fixed by mobile mechanic. It was bad/loose connector to engine fuse box. Fortunately an easy fix

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Cariley

Got it fixed by mobile mechanic. It was bad/loose connector to engine fuse box. Fortunately an easy fix

Great!

Thanks for following through and letting us know.

Both Duck & bubbles were spot on in heading you in the right direction.

And, while you may have checked fuses and relays in post #7 (I assume by removing and testing them or swapping them for known good ones) you really needed to test the circuit FEEDING the engine fuse box for proper voltage with a multimeter or at the very least a 12v test light. Those fuses and relays can't do anything if there is no voltage coming to them.

[Duckogram]

Originally Posted by Cariley

Got it fixed by mobile mechanic. It was bad/loose connector to engine fuse box. Fortunately an easy fix

Glad to hear you are back up and running.

[Bezzola]

Last year i had the same issue found the battery cable to the started was no good at the clamp