Results for "Southwind"

Apparently replacing the headlight relay, cleaning all ground connections, and checking alternator output means nothing when my 2000 Fleetwood Southwind Ford V-10 still drops to 10.3V under headlight load. The headlights have been consistently dim despite replacing the bulbs. My multimeter readings show 12.5V at the headlight connector when disconnected, but this drops to 10.3V when the headlight is plugged in and operating.

This 2.2V drop under load seems excessive and correlates with the poor light output I'm experiencing. What causes this level of voltage drop in RV headlight circuits, and does this require immediate repair for safety reasons? …more

Our '04 Southwind with the Ford V10 started with minor hesitation last month but now it's turned into full P0171 and P0174 lean condition codes. Engine runs fine otherwise - no rough idle, no hesitation, fuel economy seems normal. Just these annoying codes that keep coming back.

I've heard the V10 has some common issues that cause these dual lean codes. Already checked the obvious vacuum lines and cleaned the MAF sensor, but wondering what the most likely suspects are when you get BOTH banks showing lean. Is there a systematic way to track this down, or should I just start throwing parts at it?

Really don't want to take it to a shop if this is something with known failure points on these engines. What would you guys check first? …more

Between storage seasons and spring startup, my 2006 Southwind with Ford Triton V10 keeps developing the same parasitic draw that kills my battery. After sitting a few days, battery drops to 11.3V. Main symptom: when I turn key off and remove it, power still flows to dash gauges. Needles flicker and I hear buzzing for several seconds after key removal.

Is this a failed ignition switch or could it be stuck relays? What's the proper way to test and confirm the cause before replacing parts? …more

During my third inverter failure in two years on my 2005 32' Southwind, I'm officially done with this inverter roulette game. Time for an upgrade!

I've got 400W of solar (4x100W panels) and 4 6-volt batteries powering this rolling money pit. Currently rocking a 1000W unit that keeps throwing error codes like it's having an existential crisis. I'm torn between going with a 2000W or 2500W pure sine wave inverter - brands like Aims Power and Renogy keep popping up in my research.

Will my current battery bank handle a 2500W unit, or should I stick with 2000W? I'd rather not discover the hard way that I've created an expensive paperweight. Any recommendations before I throw more money at this beautiful disaster? …more

The exhaust manifold gasket on my 2003 Fleetwood Southwind is shot and I'm staring at a hefty repair bill — worth fixing or time to walk away? The situation is complicated by four broken studs that are flush with the head, which means this repair will likely require head removal to properly extract the damaged hardware.

Given the complexity of this repair on a motorhome chassis, I need to identify the appropriate type of service facility in the Waukesha, Wisconsin area. This isn't a standard automotive repair - it requires specialized knowledge of RV systems and heavy-duty engine work.

What type of professional service centers should I be targeting for this level of exhaust manifold repair work on my Fleetwood Southwind? …more

Replaced my power mirrors after seeing my neighbor's 1994 Southwind ones work flawlessly, but mine still don't respond and I'm afraid to randomly pull fuses. I'm a bit nervous about poking around in the electrical system without proper guidance.

I can't seem to locate the fuse panel diagram anywhere under the dash area. Should I be concerned about testing fuses myself, or is there a safe way to figure out which one controls the power mirrors? I'm worried about causing more damage if I start pulling fuses randomly. Where should these diagrams normally be located, and what's the safest approach if I can't find the original diagram? …more

During my continuity test on this dangling wire near cylinder #5 of my 2000 Fleetwood Southwind Ford V-10, I'm getting a reading but the wiring diagram shows nothing should connect there. Noticed it while doing spark plug maintenance. Can't tell where it came from or what it might be. What are the common components in that area of the Ford V-10 that typically come loose over time? …more