Results for "blue def"

Engine Easy 5 minutes setup 90 👍 0

Best OBD2 Scanner for Ford E450 V10 Motorhome: Top 3 Diagnostic Tools

Three different OBD2 scanners are showing 6 active codes on my 2015 Ford E450 V10 motorhome but every manual says this engine should only throw 2-3 max. I've been dealing with intermittent check engine lights and some transmission quirks, but my basic code reader just gives me generic codes that don't tell me much.

I keep hearing about tools like BlueDriver and some Ford-specific software, but I'm not sure what actually works well with these motorhome chassis. I need something that can give me real Ford-specific diagnostics, not just the basic OBD2 stuff. Has anyone found a scanner or diagnostic tool that actually works properly with the E450 V10 setup? I'm willing to learn something new if it means getting better diagnostic capability. …more

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Chassis Medium 3-4 hours 89 👍 0

2003 Ford F53 RV Chassis Wheel Bearing Grease Guide - Best Products &

I'm wondering if my grease choice is wrong for my 2003 Ford F53's front bearing replacement when my neighbor's identical motorhome runs perfectly after his service. The original grease that came out was a dark gray/black color and while there wasn't any catastrophic damage, the races showed enough wear marks that I decided to replace everything while I'm in there.

I've been researching different options and keep seeing conflicting recommendations. Some people swear by standard lithium grease, others recommend full synthetic formulations, and I've even seen mentions of specific brands like Valvoline MaxLife and Timken. I know the F53 chassis carries significantly more weight than a typical pickup truck, so I want to make sure I'm using something that can handle the load.

I have the torque procedure down (30 ft-lbs initial, back off, then final setting at 17 in-lbs), but I want to make sure I'm pairing that proper installation with the right grease. What specific grease products work best for the F53 front wheel bearings, and are there any compatibility issues I should be aware of when selecting a replacement grease? …more

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Electrical Medium 1-2 hours for diagnosis 87 👍 0

HWH Levelers Flashing Blue Light: Complete Battery Reset & Troubleshooting Guide

Opened three different browser tabs trying to figure out why my HWH levelers are flashing blue — neighbor says dead batteries, dealer claims sensor issue, YouTube insists wiring problem. The blue light keeps flashing and the jacks won't respond at all - they won't go up or down. The only thing that seems to work is disconnecting the house battery for about 15 minutes until all the panel lights go dark, then reconnecting it.

I'm worried this might be a sign of something serious going wrong with the electrical system or the levelers themselves. Could this indicate low voltage issues or bad connections that might be unsafe? I really don't want to damage anything expensive or put my family at risk. What should I be checking, and is this something I need to call HWH about immediately? …more

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Best RV Surge Protectors

4.6 (14,200 reviews)

Solar Batteries Medium 2-3 hours 87 👍 0

LiFePO4 Battery Not Charging in RV: Complete Diagnosis Guide 2024

Planning my next boondocking trip when this faint electrical burning smell started coming from my battery compartment, and my 950W flat mounted plus 1200W ground solar setup isn't charging my LiFePO4 batteries at all. My LiFePO4 batteries used to charge up beautifully, hitting 100% by late afternoon like clockwork.

Now? Total drama queens. This morning we woke up at 18% charge, and after a full day of glorious sunshine, we're sitting pretty at a whopping 63%. With 2150W of solar, I should be swimming in electrons! But instead my batteries are acting like teenagers - moody and refusing to cooperate.

I'm starting to suspect something's gone wrong, but honestly, I have no clue how to properly check LiFePO4 batteries. Are they actually broken, or am I just doing something monumentally stupid? What voltage readings should I be looking for, and what else should I check before I start panic-buying new batteries? …more

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General Easy 1-2 hours 80 👍 0

How to Replace Kwikee Super Slide II Drive Wheels - Step-by-Step DIY Repair Guide

Planning to tackle my Kwikee Super Slide II drive wheel replacement myself versus paying a shop $300+ after they started making that awful metal-on-metal chattering noise. I've found pieces of old rubber near the slides where it's completely broken off the wheel cores.

I've looked into replacement OEM parts which cost around $75 per wheel, and I would need 8 wheels replaced. I've discovered a DIY repair method using a PMC-790 urethane rubber kit that could potentially fix this for much less. The total repair materials cost me about $134, compared to $600 for new wheels.

My repair process involved creating custom molds using 2-inch PVC test caps, 2.5-inch and 5/8-inch hole saws, and mixing urethane rubber in a specific 2:1 ratio. I even added blue colorant for fun. Has anyone else tried a similar approach to restoring these drive wheels? …more

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Propane Easy N/A - informational 79 👍 0

RV Tankless Water Heater Problems at High Altitude: Performance & Efficiency Guide

Already followed my RV tankless water heater manual's high altitude instructions, but I'm still getting terrible performance and efficiency issues at mountain campgrounds between 5,000 and 8,000 feet. My travel trailer came equipped with a tankless on-demand water heater from the factory, and I'm concerned about how it will perform at these higher altitudes.

I've heard that propane appliances can have issues with combustion efficiency when there's less oxygen available in the thin mountain air. Specifically, I'm wondering about quantifiable performance losses - like what percentage of heating capacity I might lose per thousand feet of elevation gain. I'm also concerned about potential operational problems like flame failure or the unit shutting down completely at certain altitudes.

For context, most of my regular camping is done below 2,000 feet where the water heater works fine, but these upcoming mountain trips will be well above 4,500 feet elevation. Should I be worried about the tankless system's reliability at these altitudes, or am I overthinking this? Would I be better off considering a replacement with a traditional tank-style water heater if I plan to do more high-altitude camping in the future? …more

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Plumbing Easy 2-3 hours 78 👍 0

How to Sanitize Your RV Water Tank After Summer Storage - Complete Guide to Cleaning and Maintaining Fresh Water Systems

About to tackle sanitizing my Winnebago Navion's water tank this Saturday after months of Arizona summer storage — what supplies should I have ready? The fresh water tank was completely drained before storage and has remained empty for approximately 4 months.

Given the extended storage period and the harsh desert conditions with temperatures exceeding 100°F for most of the summer, I need to determine the proper protocol for bringing the water system back online. Is a simple rinse sufficient, or does this situation warrant a full sanitization procedure?

What is the recommended bleach ratio and contact time for sanitizing after this type of extended hot weather storage? I want to ensure the water system is safe for consumption before our next trip. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-3 hours 77 👍 0

DC-DC Charger for Lithium RV Battery: Protect Your Alternator

Despite everyone saying I need a DC-DC charger for my lithium RV batteries, I'm skeptical about dropping $400 — will it actually protect my alternator? Just got a shiny new 2026 F250 (after my poor F150 basically begged for mercy when I hooked up my 2600RB) and had a 230ah lithium battery installed in the trailer. Now I'm reading horror stories about truck alternators and lithium batteries having some kind of electrical death match that could fry my alternator or damage the battery.

I keep seeing mentions of DC-DC chargers but honestly have no idea if I actually need one or if this is just RV paranoia at its finest. The trailer has solar and I've only got a 12V fridge drawing power when towing, so it's not like I'm running a mobile data center back there. Can I just use my truck's existing charge line to the trailer, or am I about to become another cautionary tale about expensive electrical mistakes? …more

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Electrical Medium 2-3 hours 75 👍 0

How to Convert RV Pull Light Switch to Toggle Switches - Step by Step

After getting quoted $180 to replace my sticky pull switch on my 2001 Monaco Knight dashboard, I'm wondering if I can just convert it myself to two separate toggle switches for the headlights and marker lights instead.

Before I start tearing into the dash wiring, I want to make sure I understand the proper approach for this conversion. I'm particularly concerned about getting the wire connections right and ensuring the new toggle switches can handle the electrical loads properly. The current pull switch seems to control both lighting circuits, so I assume I'll need to separate those functions when I wire in the individual toggles.

What's the correct procedure for converting from a single pull switch to dual toggle switches for headlights and marker lights? I want to make sure I don't create any electrical issues or damage anything in the process. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 30-45 minutes 75 👍 0

How to Remove RV Thermostat for Micro Air EasyStart Installation - Step-by-Step Process

The 2ZC thermostat in my RV is staring at me right now and there's this Micro Air EasyStart manual saying it needs to come out first. I've got the Micro Air unit ready to go, but I'm not entirely sure about the proper procedure for removing the current 2ZC thermostat from the wall without damaging anything or losing track of the wiring configuration.

I want to make sure I handle this correctly since I know the wire connections are critical and I don't want to create problems when connecting the new system. What's the proper step-by-step process for safely removing a 2ZC thermostat, and are there any important precautions I should take regarding the wiring before I start the Micro Air installation? I'd appreciate detailed guidance on the removal process and any preparation steps that will make the new installation go smoothly. …more

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Electrical Hard 2-4 hours 74 👍 0

Ford F-53 P0581 Code: How to Fix Cruise Control High Voltage Error

Planning to tackle this P0581 cruise control high voltage error on my 2007 F-53 chassis myself — got my tools ready, just need to know where to start. Already replaced brake switch, steering wheel switches, checked all fuses and wiring from dash to ECU. Horn works fine so clock spring seems okay.

Here's the key finding: disconnected the steering wheel connector completely to eliminate all external switches. Cleared the code and it stayed clear until I started the engine - then P0581 immediately returned.

Since the code sets with switches disconnected and all external wiring checks out, does this confirm an internal PCM problem? Looking for confirmation before spending money on ECU repair. …more

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Best RV Batteries

4.5 (15,400 reviews)

Engine Easy Informational 74 👍 0

Ford 7.3L Godzilla V8 Engine Lifter Failure: 70K Mile Analysis & Prevention Guide

Somewhere between shock and disbelief, I'm questioning my Ford dealer who insists my 2023 E350's 7.3L Godzilla V8 needs a complete rebuild after lifter failure at just 70,000 miles. The engine had one bad lifter and two scored piston walls, which seems pretty severe for a relatively new motor with what should be considered moderate mileage for a commercial-grade engine.

This has me concerned since I'm considering a similar setup for my Class C motorhome build. The 7.3L Godzilla has been marketed as Ford's heavy-duty solution, so seeing this kind of failure relatively early is troubling. Is this an isolated incident or are there patterns of lifter problems emerging with these engines? What should potential buyers be watching for, and are there any preventive measures or early warning signs that could help avoid this kind of expensive failure?

I'd appreciate any insights on whether this represents a broader reliability concern with the 7.3L platform or if it's just an unfortunate one-off situation that shouldn't influence purchasing decisions. …more

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Engine Hard 4-8 hours diagnostic time 72 👍 0

Ford V10 Crate Engine Problems: Rough Idle & Power Loss

Opened my RV hood this morning and my Ford V10 crate engine is doing that rough idle and power loss thing again — only when it's above 85°F outside. My 2015 Bounder 35K with 27k miles needed a complete engine replacement, so I had a new Ford V10 crate engine installed. Now I'm dealing with really rough idle, loud engine noise, shaking during acceleration, and hardly any power.

The shop said they fixed a misfire by replacing a fuel injector, but the problems are still there. Now they're telling me they've done everything they can with the engine and that it must be a transmission issue causing all these symptoms. Does that sound right to you experienced folks? I'm just having trouble understanding how transmission problems would cause such rough idling and engine noise, but I honestly don't know enough to argue with them. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Hard N/A for diagnosis 72 👍 0

Norcold 1210 Not Cooling with No Error Codes: Troubleshooting Guide

Looked at my Norcold 1210 refrigerator in my Grand Design 303RLS this morning — it's running perfectly normal but everything inside stays warm with zero error codes. Everything seems to work - the control panel responds, lights come on, and it even fires up on propane - but there's absolutely no cooling happening. Temperature reading shows 43°F and climbing.

What's making me nervous is that there are no error codes or alarms at all. I've checked the fuse and it's good, the little black box's red light is not on, and the fans aren't running. Usually when something breaks, you get some kind of warning, right? I'm worried I might be missing something obvious or that continuing to run it could cause more damage. Is this pointing to a specific type of failure, and am I safe to keep troubleshooting or should I stop using it immediately? …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 4-6 hours 72 👍 0

Xantrex to Victron Inverter Swap - 2021 Winnebago View 24D

Got my 2021 Winnebago View 24D torn apart right now and there's charred components scattered all over the inside of this completely dead Xantrex inverter. Rather than replace with another Xantrex unit, I'm considering upgrading to a Victron MultiPlus system.

The RV is equipped with dual 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries and 200W solar array. Current electrical configuration uses the standard Winnebago 12V DC system with 30A shore power connection. The failed Xantrex unit was a 2000W inverter/charger combo with remote panel monitoring.

Which specific Victron MultiPlus model would provide optimal performance for this application? Additionally, what connection modifications will be required, and can the existing Xantrex remote panel be eliminated in favor of app-based monitoring? …more

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