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ECM Low Battery Warning RV: Complete Diagnosis & Fix Guide
Electrical Medium 2-6 hours 230 👍 1

ECM Low Battery Warning RV: Complete Diagnosis & Fix Guide

During a family trip, my 2005 Fleetwood Discovery 39S threw code 168-1 for low ECM battery voltage and went into full shutdown mode—is this dangerous with kids onboard? Engine cut out, transmission selector went dark, ABS warnings everywhere - the whole nine yards. Scared the heck out of me when it happened on the interstate!

I'm seeing this seems to be a thing with these diesel pushers, but I'm drowning in conflicting info online. Some say it's the chassis battery, others blame alternator issues, and I've even seen posts about ECM power supply problems on the Caterpillar engines. What's the actual step-by-step process to track this down? And more importantly, how do I fix it so it doesn't leave me stranded again? Really need a complete walkthrough of what causes this code and the proper repair approach. …more
Generac 7.5kW Diesel Generator Repair Guide - RV Troubleshooting
Engine Medium 2-4 hours 216 👍

Generac 7.5kW Diesel Generator Repair Guide - RV Troubleshooting

Planning to ignore the weird noises from our Generac 7.5kW diesel generator backfired when my wife pointed out I definitely made things worse during my repair attempt. I have a 2007 Monaco with a Generac 7.5kW diesel generator, and yesterday when I tried starting it, the battery was really weak. I probably held the starter button too long - maybe 15 seconds or so - because it was cranking so slowly and I kept hoping it would catch.

Now when I try to start it, I just get a single click and nothing happens. I'm worried I damaged something by cranking it so long with that weak battery. Should I be looking at the starter solenoid or starter motor? Is there anything I can check myself before I have to take it to a repair shop? I'd really appreciate any guidance on troubleshooting this. …more
RV Infotainment System Update Guide: Step-by-Step Safety Instructions
General Medium 30-60 min 148 👍 1

RV Infotainment System Update Guide: Step-by-Step Safety Instructions

Three weeks ago my 2023 Aspire's infotainment system occasionally wouldn't recognize the update USB, but now it just blinks endlessly without doing anything. Has anyone experienced this specific issue with this RV model's system? I want to understand what might be preventing the update from proceeding. …more
Dometic RV AC Not Cooling? 5 Common Fixes for Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Guide
Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 128 👍

Dometic RV AC Not Cooling? 5 Common Fixes for Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Guide

Walked out to my RV this morning trying to decide between calling a repair tech or troubleshooting my Dometic Brisk Air rooftop AC myself since it's showing weird operational issues. The compressor engages and fan motor operates normally, but the unit fails to produce cold air output. Temperature differential across the evaporator coil is minimal.

Unit functioned properly through previous cooling season with no apparent issues. Current symptoms include normal airflow volume but inadequate cooling capacity. What systematic diagnostic procedure should I follow to identify the root cause? Looking for a methodical troubleshooting sequence that addresses the most probable failure points in order of likelihood. …more
Coleman Mach AC Fuse Blows With Battery On - Rockwood Fix
Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours for diagnosis, professional repair likely needed 122 👍

Coleman Mach AC Fuse Blows With Battery On - Rockwood Fix

Found out the hard way that the previous owner of my 2019 Rockwood Minilite 2509s left me with a Coleman Mach AC that blows fuses instantly when I flip on the battery. The AC fuse blows instantly when I turn on the battery disconnect, before the AC is even activated. The fuse literally blows before it's completely seated in the panel.

This began two weeks ago without warning - the system had been functioning normally prior to this. Initial fuse replacement provided temporary operation, but the problem returned on the next trip with the fuse already blown upon arrival.

Given the immediate fuse failure with just battery power connected, what type of electrical fault would cause this symptom pattern in a Coleman Mach unit, and what's the most likely location of the problem in the AC circuit? …more
RV Shore Power Not Working: Complete Troubleshooting Guide
Electrical Medium 45 minutes 113 👍

RV Shore Power Not Working: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Plugged into shore power at the campground last night and absolutely nothing happened — no lights, no AC, nothing. Breaker on the pedestal looks fine and my neighbor's rig is running perfectly on the same circuit. Starting to wonder if something fried inside the transfer switch. …more

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Norcold RV Refrigerator Won't Stay On Propane - Complete Troubleshooting Guide
Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 107 👍

Norcold RV Refrigerator Won't Stay On Propane - Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Called my buddy at midnight when my Norcold RV refrigerator quit staying lit on propane — need to figure this out before our food spoils by morning. and by dream, I mean my Norcold refrigerator has decided it's too good for propane! The thing fires up just fine on LP gas - I can hear it purring away like a happy cat. But then, like a fair-weather friend, it abandons me after an hour or two and shuts itself off.

I'm starting to feel personally rejected by my own appliances. The electric mode works perfectly fine, but when I'm boondocking, my generator and I aren't exactly best friends either. I've heard this could be a thermocouple issue, burner problems, or maybe the control board throwing a tantrum. How do I figure out which component is giving me the cold shoulder (pun intended)? Any diagnostic tips to help me troubleshoot this temperamental beast? …more
MagnaSine MS2012 Inverter Replacement Guide - Best Upgrade Options 202
Solar Batteries Hard 4-6 hours 106 👍

MagnaSine MS2012 Inverter Replacement Guide - Best Upgrade Options 202

About my 2007 Fleetwood Bounder: the MagnaSine MS2012 manual claims it should handle my loads perfectly, but this inverter keeps failing on me anyway. It's been acting up for months now - the microwave keeps causing it to hiccup and shut off, then it comes right back on. I know it's only going to get worse from here.

I've been looking at upgrading to something more reliable, maybe a Victron or another brand, but I'm honestly overwhelmed by all the options out there. What are the best replacement inverters that other RVers have had success with? I just want something that's going to work consistently without all these random shutdowns.

Before I spend a bunch of money though, could this actually be a battery issue instead of the inverter itself? I'd hate to replace a perfectly good unit if the real problem is somewhere else in the system. …more
RV Model Year vs Chassis Year: Understanding the Difference (It's Normal)
General Easy 30 minutes 91 👍

RV Model Year vs Chassis Year: Understanding the Difference (It's Normal)

This is my first RV and the title says 2019 but the chassis paperwork shows 2018 - something feels off here. I bought what I thought was a 2024 Tiffin Allegro Open Road, but when I got home and went to register it, the VIN shows it has a 2022 Ford chassis. The DMV registered it as a 2022, which means I've instantly lost two years of value!

I'm trying to figure out if this is normal in the RV industry or if I got taken advantage of. The dealer sold it as a 2024 model, but now I'm wondering if this kind of mismatch between the RV model year and the actual chassis year is standard practice. I've invested a lot in this RV and really hope there's a reasonable explanation for this discrepancy.

Can anyone explain if it's typical for RV manufacturers to use older chassis for newer model year RVs? I want to understand if this is legitimate or if I should be concerned about deceptive practices. …more
RV PEX Plumbing Fittings Guide: Crimp vs SharkBite vs FIP Connections Explained
Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 89 👍

RV PEX Plumbing Fittings Guide: Crimp vs SharkBite vs FIP Connections Explained

Got what's probably a dumb question, but why do I have like three different types of PEX fittings in my RV and which ones should I actually be using for repairs? The current setup has what I believe are crimp rings on the PEX lines, but I'm seeing different types of fittings available and I'm confused about which approach is best for a DIY repair.

I've been looking at compression fittings, push-to-connect options like SharkBite, and traditional crimp rings, but I'm not sure which system actually works with RV PEX plumbing. Some of my connections are also threaded at the water pump and manifold areas, and I keep seeing references to FIP connections but I'm not entirely clear on what that means in the context of RV plumbing.

What's the difference between these connection types for RV PEX systems, and which option would be easiest for someone doing their own plumbing repairs? I want to make sure I'm using the right fittings and tools before I start tearing into my water system. …more
RV Lithium Batteries: Dual Purpose vs Deep Cycle for Coach House Banks & Performance
Solar Batteries Easy N/A - informational 84 👍

RV Lithium Batteries: Dual Purpose vs Deep Cycle for Coach House Banks & Performance

Despite watching countless YouTube videos on RV lithium batteries, I'm now more confused than when I started about dual purpose versus deep cycle for my motorhome's house bank. I understand that dual purpose batteries are designed to handle both starting and deep cycling applications, which sounds convenient for an RV setup. However, I'm wondering if there are performance trade-offs when using dual purpose lithium batteries specifically for coach/house battery applications where they'll primarily be doing deep cycling to power lights, water pump, refrigerator, and other 12V systems. Would I be better off with dedicated deep cycle LiFePO4 batteries for my house bank, or do dual purpose lithium batteries offer sufficient performance for typical RV boondocking and daily use? I want to make sure I'm getting the best cycle life and value for my investment in a house battery system. …more
Transfer Switch Ground Wire Not Connected - Winnebago View Fix
Electrical Easy 30 minutes 81 👍

Transfer Switch Ground Wire Not Connected - Winnebago View Fix

Nobody expects to find their 2021 Winnebago View 24D transfer switch ground wire completely disconnected at 11 PM when you're supposed to leave tomorrow morning. While replacing a damaged shore power cord, I opened up the transfer switch box and discovered that the main coach power ground wire isn't connected to anything - it looks like it was just cut short with barely any copper showing.

The RV has been this way since we bought it new, and I've never opened this box before. I'm wondering if this could somehow be intentional (maybe related to how the inverter is wired?) or if this is a serious problem that needs fixing right away. Should I be concerned about safety issues, and is this something that typically happens at the factory?

I'd really appreciate some guidance from more experienced folks - I want to make sure I handle this correctly and safely. …more
Ford E450 Godzilla Engine Water Pump Timing Cover Surface Repair Guide: Diagnosis & Fix
Engine Hard Professional diagnosis required 81 👍

Ford E450 Godzilla Engine Water Pump Timing Cover Surface Repair Guide: Diagnosis & Fix

During my 2 AM breakdown, my Ford E450's Godzilla engine started hemorrhaging coolant from the water pump timing cover — need this fixed before our sunrise departure. My E450 Godzilla decided to turn into more of a steam dragon than the beast it's supposed to be. After getting towed to a Ford dealer (because apparently not everyone wants to work on these motorhome monsters), they're telling me the timing cover surface where the water pump mounts looks "normal."

I'm staring at what looks like the surface of Mars - all pitted and grooved where the water pump was sitting. The dealer insists this is just typical wear, but my gut says something that caused a catastrophic overheat probably didn't leave the mating surface in "acceptable" condition. How do I know if this timing cover surface actually needs to be machined or replaced, or if I'm just being paranoid after my expensive towing adventure? …more

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Onan QG5500 Generator Power Drop: Complete Troubleshooting Guide & Fixes for RV Owners
Engine Hard 2-4 hours 80 👍

Onan QG5500 Generator Power Drop: Complete Troubleshooting Guide & Fixes for RV Owners

Wondering why my Onan QG5500 is eating through fuel like crazy but barely putting out enough power to run my AC anymore? My Onan QG5500 generator was working great earlier today - had about 1500 watts running with the AC on a hot afternoon. I shut it down for about an hour, and when I fired it back up, it's only putting out around 400 watts now.

I checked the obvious stuff like circuit breakers and they all look fine. The generator is still running, but something is clearly wrong with the power output. I'm not sure what could cause such a sudden drop or even where I should start troubleshooting. Could this be an electrical issue? Any ideas on what might have failed and how I can figure out what's wrong? …more
How to Fix Atwood Water Heater Mixing Valve 90029 Leak - Step-by-Step
Propane Medium 1-2 hours 80 👍

How to Fix Atwood Water Heater Mixing Valve 90029 Leak - Step-by-Step

Nobody can explain why my pressure gauge reads 150 PSI at the Atwood 90029 mixing valve when every manual says it should max out at 125 PSI. My Atwood water heater has been sitting unused for about 8 months, and now I've discovered the mixing valve (part #90029) has developed a slow drip.

I'm wondering if this is something I can fix myself or if I need to replace the whole valve? I've heard something about O-rings going bad during storage, but I'm not sure if it's worth trying to rebuild it or just bite the bullet and get a new one. Any advice on the best approach would be really appreciated! …more
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