Isata 3 Freedom Edition Battery Disconnect Recall Failure

[Bearii]

Ok, let me start by saying this is a rant. I'm frustrated and am not sure what I can do at this point. If you don't like rants you might want to move on. Like many of us that have an Isata 3 Freedom Edition I got the battery disconnect recall. It's a very simple recall, 30 minutes max, remove a part, put in the new one. As a result of several factors we needed to get this done while traveling. Brian Clemens helped me set things up with a rather reluctant service department at Parris RV in Murray, UT. Normally I wouldn't name a dealer like this but their failure was so egregious that I'm more than a little pissed off.

During several back and forth phone calls with them to set up an appointment, and Brian convincing them it needed to happen, I repeatedly reiterated that they needed to order the part. I must have asked them at least three times to do it. They assured me, condescendingly I might add, that of course they would order the part. I showed up early for the appointment because it was scheduled for the same time as the Xantrex livestream. After fumbling around, arguing that this couldn't be a "wait" appointment, they needed to "inspect" it first and then decide what to do, etc. I had to remind them this was a recall with a directed activity - replace the damn part! Finally, the service coordinator went off to find the part. Guess what, no part!!!! You have to be kidding me, seriously, they didn't order the friggin' part!!! Escalated to service manager, yep the one who told me they don't work on Dynamax RV's they don't sell, who fumbled some more and finally just shrugged his shoulders and said, oh well. At that moment some very nice guy came by who was perhaps on owner or GM (wish I had gotten that info). He instructed the service manager to start getting on the phone and find a dealer who can get this done for me on my travels to Alaska. He assured me by day's end, the next morning at the latest I would hear from them with a solution. Can you guess what happened, well, it's been crickets, nothing, no calls, no emails, customer screwed again!

I'm not sure what my next steps could be. I'm hoping my battery disconnect doesn't arc and burn my rig to the ground. I'm on a tight schedule to meet up at our rendezvous point on July 6th with limited dealers along the way. I worked a full schedule around going out of our way to the dealer outside of Salt Lake City to get this done. Does anyone know a dealer in the Sacramento area that you can count on? I'll have just a couple of hours on the afternoon of July 3rd where maybe they can make this happen. Appreciate any help/suggestions.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Have you tried calling FR and see if there is a mobile mechanic they recommend that can help?
It would seem that someone could remove/disable the battery disconnect switch until you could get it replaced.
Granted it might be a bit inconvenient, but since you're going to be in it full time and you will need the battery connected.

[malmz]

DiMartini is in Grass Valley near Sacramento and is an actual Dynamax dealer and seems to be respected out there. Maybe they can get the part overnighted there.

https://www.demartinirv.com/details/parts_service

[bclemens]

It does not actually "need" a new part. You could actually just check the torque and call it a day.

But, when we talked about pulling it to check the torque, production said there is a larger disconnect that it gets installed, the wires get connected and THEN you place the cover on. The original one, you make the connections on the back side, then screw the disconnect into place. It was that movement, they felt like could loosen things up, if you were forcing it into place against thick wires. It was also just easier to install the larger one. So I decided we should add it. Not because we had to, but because we wanted to.

[JLeising]

After a breakdown going north we had our MBS towed to Mercedes Benz of Sacramento. They did a good repair for us (had the vehicle several days).
https://www.mbsacramento.com/


FYI, Jim

Edit: My problem was on the Mercedes chassis. This sounds like an issue on the Forest River house section- Mercedes Sacramento may not be appropriate…

[Bearii]

Originally Posted by bclemens

It does not actually "need" a new part. You could actually just check the torque and call it a day.

But, when we talked about pulling it to check the torque, production said there is a larger disconnect that it gets installed, the wires get connected and THEN you place the cover on. The original one, you make the connections on the back side, then screw the disconnect into place. It was that movement, they felt like could loosen things up, if you were forcing it into place against thick wires. It was also just easier to install the larger one. So I decided we should add it. Not because we had to, but because we wanted to.

I can check the torque. What should the value be set at? I'll arrange for a dealer visit later in our trip when the schedule frees up.

[Bearii]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

Have you tried calling FR and see if there is a mobile mechanic they recommend that can help?
It would seem that someone could remove/disable the battery disconnect switch until you could get it replaced.
Granted it might be a bit inconvenient, but since you're going to be in it full time and you will need the battery connected.

I could do that but I was told since this is an official recall it had to be done by a dealer. I'll check the torque as Brian suggested and rearrange things for the part replacement later. thanks

[Aussieguy]

yeah lots of words for non issue

any auto electrician could have done a fix for you ...... using any suitable switch
if one not available ........ just tighten the existing one up

Kudos to Mr C for the effort he puts here!


I routinely pay for simple things out of pocket and not go warranty/recall routes
just not worth the headaches drop off and wait for days.

------------------------------------------------------------------

If you going to remote places you will need to be more self sufficient or be prepared to sit and wait patiently just for help to just show up.

my 12v disconnect played up while on a trip
I simply put all the wires on one terminal of the switch, as a temporary solution until I could replace the switch

10 minutes work and completely safe to do, 12v batteries are connected /disconnected at the auto parts stores every day by semi trained just outta school graduates.

disconnect battery cable (Neg is easiest)
move /tighten cables on the the switch ....


------------------------------------------------------
My 2c
instead of rants use your time more wisely on:
a) to study up on your particular system and how to MacGyver it
b) ask people here on improving your planning for your trip and what tools and spares to take with you .


You'll find the more remote you go ... the longer things take
Alaska = pull up ya big boy pants.

[Bearii]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

yeah lots of words for non issue

any auto electrician could have done a fix for you ...... using any suitable switch
if one not available ........ just tighten the existing one up

Kudos to Mr C for the effort he puts here!


I routinely pay for simple things out of pocket and not go warranty/recall routes
just not worth the headaches drop off and wait for days.

------------------------------------------------------------------

If you going to remote places you will need to be more self sufficient or be prepared to sit and wait patiently just for help to just show up.

my 12v disconnect played up while on a trip
I simply put all the wires on one terminal of the switch, as a temporary solution until I could replace the switch

10 minutes work and completely safe to do, 12v batteries are connected /disconnected at the auto parts stores every day by semi trained just outta school graduates.

disconnect battery cable (Neg is easiest)
move /tighten cables on the the switch ....


------------------------------------------------------
My 2c
instead of rants use your time more wisely on:
a) to study up on your particular system and how to MacGyver it
b) ask people here on improving your planning for your trip and what tools and spares to take with you .


You'll find the more remote you go ... the longer things take
Alaska = pull up ya big boy pants.

Wow - thanks for the insults - NOT!! I'll have you know that I do virtually all of my own work on everything I own. I was told the owner is NOT supposed to replace the part, Dynamax won't even send it to you due to the recall. The issue is not the repair, the issue is the complete failure of the dealer's customer service on something I was told had to be done by them only.

Will I fix it on my own, absolutely. Alaska - yep, been there done that on the back of a motorcycle no less. I've traveled all over this world, sure don't need your condescending attitude or your 2c - that's all it's worth anyway - so basic - move on. These forums have been great with folks supporting one another, disappointing to see the trolls are sneaking in here too.

[xrpb11a]

I picked up my Freedom on March 4th at DeMartini.
I had one foot on the gas going out the driveway when they came running up and performed the torque check/tightening on the spot. No new parts, just torque checking...So for them it should be a quick fix, 5 minutes, no parts necessary.

Originally Posted by bclemens

It does not actually "need" a new part. You could actually just check the torque and call it a day.

But, when we talked about pulling it to check the torque, production said there is a larger disconnect that it gets installed, the wires get connected and THEN you place the cover on. The original one, you make the connections on the back side, then screw the disconnect into place. It was that movement, they felt like could loosen things up, if you were forcing it into place against thick wires. It was also just easier to install the larger one. So I decided we should add it. Not because we had to, but because we wanted to.

[xrpb11a]

Demartini is 20 minutes north off I80 in Auburn, Ca.
I would call them and see if they can spare 5 minutes at a set time to come out and crank on the hardware, bringing it to spec.
The dude can do it on his way to his lunch break. They are fast and competent.

Originally Posted by Bearii

I'm on a tight schedule to meet up at our rendezvous point on July 6th with limited dealers along the way. I worked a full schedule around going out of our way to the dealer outside of Salt Lake City to get this done. Does anyone know a dealer in the Sacramento area that you can count on? I'll have just a couple of hours on the afternoon of July 3rd where maybe they can make this happen. Appreciate any help/suggestions.

[Judge64]

If it were me...... I would have checked the torque myself. If I didn't like the girth if the disconnect switch for 600Ah of batteries, I would have ordered one from Amazon and swapped them out.


I hate spending money when I shouldn't have to.... but I have dealt with enough dealers to know.... if you want something done right, you really have to do it yourself.


All that being said.... when I picked up my Freedom Edition last month they said they retorqued the nuts and realigned the battery cables to remove stress on the cables. They said nothing about replacing the Disconnect Switch. That's why I was surprised when you told me you needed a new Disconnect Switch.

[bclemens]

Just for clarity.

A dealer has to perform the repair to have it "cleared" in our system and/or accepted by NHTSA. If an electrical engineer bought the part themself and made the repair (so they felt safe that it was not a danger)...it would solve the problem, it would just not be cleared until a dealer verified it.

[Judge64]

Originally Posted by bclemens

Just for clarity.

A dealer has to perform the repair to have it "cleared" in our system and/or accepted by NHTSA. If an electrical engineer bought the part themself and made the repair (so they felt safe that it was not a danger)...it would solve the problem, it would just not be cleared until a dealer verified it.

So in my case when I was doing my PDI back in April and May and I asked about the Recall, the dealer tech said they checked the torque of the disconnect terminals and also repositioned them to reduce strain per the Recall. They said nothing about parts or replacing the disconnect switch.

I assume my dealer reported this back to HQ and my unit was subsequently cleared.


Then I heard from both Dave and Burt that parts were required to be ordered. You even commented to Dave that Dynamax cannot send parts out to owners for a Recall.

Then Burt showed me a picture where for his Recall they installed a visibly more beefy disconnect for the batteries.

When Dave stopped at a dealer this week, the dealer forgot to order the part and subsequently it sounds like his disconnect may have failed after he left the dealer.

Not taking any chances I ordered the same disconnect that Burt had installed for his Recall. Both disconnects on my Freedom Edition are the same and the less beefy version.

Now it is unclear.... at least to me... as to whether this was just a retorquing of the terminal nuts or it does involve a higher rated disconnect switch.

Since I don't have the higher rated disconnect and my coach was supposed to be cleared of the Recall, it was cheaper for me to order the disconnect Burt has vs driving 90 miles round trip plus tolls and time if it should have been replaced as part of the Recall.

The disconnect came today and I'm going to install it tomorrow. Should be straightforward and take 30 - 45 minutes.

[bclemens]

We reported this as quickly as possible and I think relayed some of the rough draft info verbally. When the formal repair came out, we had added the larger disconnect. I explain why in one of the other Freedom threads.

[Judge64]

Originally Posted by bclemens

We reported this as quickly as possible and I think relayed some of the rough draft info verbally. When the formal repair came out, we had added the larger disconnect. I explain why in one of the other Freedom threads.

Ok.... thanks.... makes sense.... and I must have missed that other thread.

In any case, I will likely have a warranty punch list and may come out to Indiana. If my Recall was not cleared or is now considered incomplete, I can have Factory Service "certify" it then.

Since I'll being installing the new disconnect myself, you guys can give me another disconnect I can keep as a spare...... or you can buy me a beer and we'll call it square!

[Bearii]

Originally Posted by bclemens

Just for clarity.

A dealer has to perform the repair to have it "cleared" in our system and/or accepted by NHTSA. If an electrical engineer bought the part themself and made the repair (so they felt safe that it was not a danger)...it would solve the problem, it would just not be cleared until a dealer verified it.

Brian, would you mind giving Sara the ok to send me the new disconnect asap? I gave her two addresses she could send it to this week before we are off into Canada. When I asked her to send it to me several weeks ago she said she was not allowed to do that by her manager. If you'd like me to copy you on the email please send me your email via private message.

As you may have seen in another thread my disconnect failed completely two days after leaving Parris RV. I've bolted the wires together for now and taped them heavily but I would much prefer having the disconnect asap. Thank you for your continued patience and support.

[bclemens]

Originally Posted by Bearii

Brian, would you mind giving Sara the ok to send me the new disconnect asap? I gave her two addresses she could send it to this week before we are off into Canada. When I asked her to send it to me several weeks ago she said she was not allowed to do that by her manager. If you'd like me to copy you on the email please send me your email via private message.

As you may have seen in another thread my disconnect failed completely two days after leaving Parris RV. I've bolted the wires together for now and taped them heavily but I would much prefer having the disconnect asap. Thank you for your continued patience and support.

This is not a "me" thing, this is a corporate thing. We won't sent critical parts to retail customers, only service centers. That includes LP, major electrical, tires/wheels, etc.

If you have a dealer along the way to send it to we can do that.

[Judge64]

Hey Dave.....

Since you are on a scheduled Alaska Caravan, I know trying to get a dealer to accommodate you and do it right is going to be a challenge.


I would order on Amazon like I did and then have it shipped to a locker near one of your stops before Canada where you can pick it up and then replace it when you can.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NW4V64K...roduct_details

[Bearii]

Originally Posted by Judge64

Hey Dave.....

Since you are on a scheduled Alaska Caravan, I know trying to get a dealer to accommodate you and do it right is going to be a challenge.


I would order on Amazon like I did and then have it shipped to a locker near one of your stops before Canada where you can pick it up and then replace it when you can.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NW4V64K...roduct_details

I think you're right Chris. My frustration level with this fiasco is off the charts, dealers don't deliver and for some reason parts can't be sent for a coach I own. I definitely can't comprehend not sending parts. Thanks for the link, I'm going to look around here a bit but at least I can order that and get it if I do so in the next couple of hours.