Electrical arcing noise - 2015 Coachmen Pursuit 31BD

[designfly]

We had the engine cover removed one person watching hearing there, another person was laying under the engine passenger side, and he said it was coming from that area....exactly where is still the question

I will post the video as soon as I have a faster internet connection

Water and humidity seems to be the fuel for the problem.

I will share more as I know more

Now going for a hike

[dalford]

So, you have a video of the sound? Can hear it on the video but not see it?

[Schwartzworld]

Originally Posted by WDW

Look under the dash for a pigtail that may have bare wires. We found the unused break controller pigtail installed and tucked up behind the parking brake. Eventually it moved and started blowing fuses. That’s how we ours it.

While this may be an issue, in this case that's not where our arcing and sparking is coming from. I'm hopeful that he was able to get a video of the issue and may be able to track it down. So far on mine I haven't gotten so lucky.

[Schwartzworld]

Originally Posted by designfly

We had the engine cover removed one person watching hearing there, another person was laying under the engine passenger side, and he said it was coming from that area....exactly where is still the question

I will post the video as soon as I have a faster internet connection

Water and humidity seems to be the fuel for the problem.

I will share more as I know more

Now going for a hike

I'm going to guess (as I have been) that this has to be something related to the wiring harness on the passenger side of the engine. I haven't had any ignition issues, my thought was a coil at first. Alternator is doing it's thing, no problems there. The only thing left is the wiring harness. However, that should cause other issue elsewhere. So, I have no clue. I just let it arc and spark until it stops and then drive. Sounds stupid but it's the only thing I can do right now.

[dalford]

This may be crazy but are you sure it arc and spark you are hearing? As far as I’ve been able to learn from your posts is you hear it but I don’t think you have said you saw it or do I think you have said I smell it?

I used to have condensation drip on the exhaust and manifold in my Dodge pickup. It was on the passenger side and it did a lot of popping and cracking sound. Could your issue be that or does this happen when your engine is cold? Just a thought..

[Schwartzworld]

Originally Posted by dalford

This may be crazy but are you sure it arc and spark you are hearing? As far as I’ve been able to learn from your posts is you hear it but I don’t think you have said you saw it or do I think you have said I smell it?

I used to have condensation drip on the exhaust and manifold in my Dodge pickup. It was on the passenger side and it did a lot of popping and cracking sound. Could your issue be that or does this happen when your engine is cold? Just a thought..

Only cold and after it rains or after you wash it. If it was condensation it wouldn't sound like the 4th of July going off on top of the engine. What's weird is the one time there was something coming off the engine. I got a face full of whatever it was. It was really tiny bits of something, coming off so fast and hard it was chipping up tiny bits of the concrete underneath the engine. I got out of there really quickly. Have no idea what that was all about.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Schwartzworld

Only cold and after it rains or after you wash it. If it was condensation it wouldn't sound like the 4th of July going off on top of the engine. What's weird is the one time there was something coming off the engine. I got a face full of whatever it was. It was really tiny bits of something, coming off so fast and hard it was chipping up tiny bits of the concrete underneath the engine. I got out of there really quickly. Have no idea what that was all about.

Sounds like superheated condensate.

[designfly]

Here is a link to the shared video on Google drive:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ldd...ew?usp=sharing

Schwartzworld does this sound familiar...

[Schwartzworld]

Originally Posted by designfly

Here is a link to the shared video on Google drive:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ldd...ew?usp=sharing

Schwartzworld does this sound familiar...

Sure does. Mine will do it a lot more but I'm sure you've had that happen too. Any clues where it's coming from?

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Schwartzworld

Sure does. Mine will do it a lot more but I'm sure you've had that happen too. Any clues where it's coming from?

Out of curiosity... I've read where you mentioned (as did the person in the video) that it will make this noise, even after the vehicle is turned off.

When this condition exists, has anyone immediately pulled a battery cable to completely remove the electrical side from the equation?

My money is still on something other than 'arcing.'

[designfly]

"Swartzworld"....You were spot on on your description in your earlier post about being cold, wet and seems to be coming from passenger side wiring loom "Coachmen" wiring.

Swartzworld have you reported it to ForestRiver ? If not please do the problem now seems to be a defect that both of us are experiencing the same thing

Tim Buss

Coachmen Class A Warranty/Service Manager

Email – tbuss@forestriverinc.com

Phone – 574-825-8212

Thanks much for all your input!

[Schwartzworld]

Well, hate to be the bearer of bad news but going to Coachmen or Forest River isn't going to help. Same with Ford. If it's not a consistent, reproducible condition they are not going to help. I've been down this road with Coachmen on other issues only to get this answer.

Unless more V10's in our year range start making the noise we're on our own. Hopefully between us and everyone on the forum we may be able to figure it.

I know what conditions cause the issue, can't always repeat it, neither can my Ford shop. Short of putting it in the air, dropping the front axle and then the engine and transmission for an inspection, all we can do is keep searching for the source and hope we don't burn down in the process.

[Yakfishingfool]

static build up then discharge? Try the video in the dark to see if you can catch the arcing (light flash).

[designfly]

Originally Posted by Schwartzworld

Well, hate to be the bearer of bad news but going to Coachmen or Forest River isn't going to help. Same with Ford. If it's not a consistent, reproducible condition they are not going to help. I've been down this road with Coachmen on other issues only to get this answer.

Unless more V10's in our year range start making the noise we're on our own. Hopefully between us and everyone on the forum we may be able to figure it.

I know what conditions cause the issue, can't always repeat it, neither can my Ford shop. Short of putting it in the air, dropping the front axle and then the engine and transmission for an inspection, all we can do is keep searching for the source and hope we don't burn down in the process.

Our lawyers will be happy we reported and documented it as much as possible if we ever do experience a fire as a result of their negligence
Please at least email Tim Buss to report your issue...as he currently is aware of my latest video that I sent him as well.

I realize at this point neither Ford or Coachmen/ForestRiver gives a ****...they keep pointing fingers at each other

What Great Customer service....especially when it could involve a life threatening problem.

The last thing is if it ever does start a fire my wife, dogs and I will be running as fast as we can away from it.

Thanks again Swartzworld!!!!

[Schwartzworld]

Originally Posted by Yakfishingfool

static build up then discharge? Try the video in the dark to see if you can catch the arcing (light flash).

Interesting thought, how would you generate that much static to cause a discharge heard a few feet away and over the V10 engine? It would almost have to be a Tesla coil in there to do that. It could happen if a coil was going bad but the driveability of the RV is unchanged after the arcing and sparking.

What would be a good test is having a Ford diagnostics computer hooked up and try to recreate the issue. The Ford computer should record everything that happens once the engine is started. Anything out of norm would or should stick out.

[Yakfishingfool]

When I get off the couch and touch a metal lamp my wife hears the crack in the kitchen 15 feet away LOL!!! would a belt dressing help with a discharge issue? A ground strap? no idea, sorry. Just a thought. Scott