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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
Ford V10 Turbo Kit for Motorhomes: Cost, Risks & Better Alternatives
Engine Hard Not recommended 157 👍

Ford V10 Turbo Kit for Motorhomes: Cost, Risks & Better Alternatives

Before every camping season rolls around, I face the same dreaded reality with my Ford V10 motorhome crawling up mountain passes like a wounded turtle. What are the realistic costs involved? Are there major risks to the engine I should know about? Is this actually worth doing or should I look at other options? …more
Fleetwood Discovery Generator Won't Start: Battery & Electrical Fixes Guide
Engine Medium 2-3 hours 100 👍

Fleetwood Discovery Generator Won't Start: Battery & Electrical Fixes Guide

Since the manual says to check the fuel shutoff solenoid first on my 1999 Fleetwood Discovery 37V diesel pusher generator, why am I getting power there while the battery connections are completely corroded? The generator absolutely refuses to start unless I run the main Cummins engine for several minutes first, and I've already tried using the boost battery switch which seems to do nothing.

I have brand new batteries - two 12V for the chassis and four 6V house batteries properly wired. Everything else works fine, but this generator issue has me concerned. I want to understand: 1) Why won't the gen set start from its batteries without the main engine running first? 2) Which battery bank does the gen set actually use - chassis, house, or a separate gen set battery?

I'm 80 years old and hesitant to crawl under the coach to trace the gen set 12-volt cable. Can someone help me understand what might be happening with my generator's electrical system? …more
RV Battery Disconnect Switch Guide: When to Use, What Loses Power & Staying Safe
Electrical Easy 10 min read 99 👍

RV Battery Disconnect Switch Guide: When to Use, What Loses Power & Staying Safe

Wondering if I can skip the $400 shop diagnosis for my electrical issues and just figure out this battery disconnect switch myself, even though I'm getting conflicting advice.

Specifically, I'm concerned about what happens to things like my LP gas detector, carbon monoxide alarm, and refrigerator when I disconnect the battery. Will I lose all my radio presets and clock settings? Are there certain situations where I absolutely shouldn't use the disconnect switch?

I want to use it for storage to prevent battery drain, but I'm also wondering about daily use scenarios. What are the best practices to avoid any problems or safety issues? I really don't want to mess anything up or put my family at risk. …more
How to Fix RV Window Separated from Crank Mechanism - Step-by-Step Repair Guide
Exterior Medium 30 min work plus 24-48 hour cure 99 👍

How to Fix RV Window Separated from Crank Mechanism - Step-by-Step Repair Guide

Pulled open my 2015 Fleetwood Expedition 40X kitchen sink window only to find it completely separated from the metal crank arm mechanism - now debating between calling a mobile RV tech or tackling this DIY. During my last camping trip, I noticed the window was loose and flapping around in the wind, which was both annoying and concerning. When I got back and examined it more closely, I can see that the bond between the glass and the crank mechanism has failed entirely.

I know I need to reattach it with some kind of adhesive, but I'm overwhelmed by all the different options out there. I've seen mentions of products like 3M Windo-Weld and various Sikaflex formulations (like 221, 255, 291), but I'm not sure which one is specifically designed for this type of repair. I also want to make sure I do this right the first time since it's such an exposed area that takes a beating from weather and road vibration.

What's the best adhesive for rebonding a frameless glass window to its crank mechanism, and what's the proper process to ensure it holds up long-term? I want to make sure I clean the surfaces properly and give it adequate curing time before I start operating the window again. …more
RV Emergency Start Switch Not Working: Complete Troubleshooting & Repair Guide
Electrical Medium 30-60 minutes 97 👍

RV Emergency Start Switch Not Working: Complete Troubleshooting & Repair Guide

Every time the temperature hits 85°F or higher, my RV's emergency start switch completely fails — works perfectly in cooler weather, but now my chassis battery is dead while house batteries stay charged. When I press the emergency start button, absolutely nothing happens - no sounds, no response at all.

I'm worried there might be something wrong with the system or that I'm not using it correctly. Should I be hearing some kind of click or sound when I press the button? Could there be blown fuses I need to check? I'm hesitant to keep trying without knowing if I might cause damage to the electrical system. What's the proper troubleshooting process to safely figure out why this emergency start feature isn't connecting my house batteries to help start the engine? …more

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Ford F53 No Spark: Complete Ignition Troubleshooting Guide
Engine Medium 2-4 hours 96 👍

Ford F53 No Spark: Complete Ignition Troubleshooting Guide

Halfway through a cross-country trip, my Ford F53 Class A motorhome with the 7.5L V8 cranks but won't fire, has zero spark, AND left me completely stranded. The issue began intermittently with starting problems, then progressed to a complete no-start condition with zero spark at both the coil and distributor.

I've systematically replaced the distributor, ignition control module (ICM), and coil, but the no-spark condition persists. This is an EFI system without a crank position sensor - my research indicates it relies on the pickup coil within the distributor for ignition timing.

What are the most likely causes for this complete ignition failure, and what diagnostic steps should I follow to isolate the root cause? I need a methodical troubleshooting approach since parts replacement hasn't resolved the issue. …more
Stop RV Battery Drain During Storage - Expert Solutions
Solar Batteries Medium 2-3 hours 93 👍

Stop RV Battery Drain During Storage - Expert Solutions

Planning to store my 2012 Winnebago Tour and there's clear signs of battery drain happening across all six house batteries and two chassis batteries. I'm religious about flipping both the chassis and house disconnect switches before putting her away for storage. Still go out monthly to fire up the generator and top off the batteries.

But here's the thing that's driving me nuts - even with those disconnect switches flipped, my batteries are still going dead! Sometimes I can't even get the engine started and have to hook up a trickle charger just to get things going again. What's the deal? I thought those disconnect switches were supposed to prevent this whole mess. Am I missing something obvious here, or is there more going on that I need to tackle? …more
Best Group 31 AGM Cranking Batteries for Cummins ISB 6.7 Diesel RV
Electrical Easy 1 hour 92 👍

Best Group 31 AGM Cranking Batteries for Cummins ISB 6.7 Diesel RV

I opened the hood this morning and spotted my 2017 Cummins 6.7 ISB barely cranking over with those AGM batteries that were fine yesterday. I'm pretty sure I need Group 31s but wondering if I should go AGM or stick with regular flooded batteries?

I keep hearing good things about Duracell and NAPA batteries - anyone have experience with these brands on a diesel setup? Also wondering what CCA rating I should be looking for and if I really need to replace both batteries at the same time (one's still cranking okay but the other's getting weak).

Just want something reliable that can handle those cold morning starts without leaving me stranded! …more
How to Diagnose RV Hard Starting Problems: Fuel System Troubleshooting Guide
Engine Medium 1 hour 90 👍

How to Diagnose RV Hard Starting Problems: Fuel System Troubleshooting Guide

RV cranks for 10-15 seconds before finally firing up, and it's getting worse each week. Used to start on the first crank every time. Fuel pressure seems low at the rail but I'm not sure if it's the pump, filter, injectors, or something else entirely in the fuel system. …more
How to Install a Tachometer on Ford E-450 RV Chassis - Complete DIY Guide
Engine Medium 2-3 hours 88 👍

How to Install a Tachometer on Ford E-450 RV Chassis - Complete DIY Guide

Woke up to my 2003 Itasca Spirit with Ford E-450 V10 chassis doing something bizarre — engine purrs like a kitten but zero RPM showing on dashboard. The dash doesn't have a factory tachometer, but I'd really like to monitor RPMs when towing and climbing hills.

What are the best aftermarket tachometer options for this setup? Looking for specific mounting solutions and wiring connections that work with the E-450's electrical system. …more
How to Fix Onan QD3200 Diesel Generator Fuel Leak Behind Air Filter
Engine Medium 1-3 hours 86 👍

How to Fix Onan QD3200 Diesel Generator Fuel Leak Behind Air Filter

According to Murphy's Law, my Onan QD3200 generator is doing something bizarre — it's leaking diesel fuel from behind the air filter instead of where you'd normally expect fuel leaks. The fuel appears to be coming from somewhere behind the air filter box, and I'm worried about making things worse if I don't diagnose this properly. I've shut everything down for now because I'm nervous about safety issues.

I need to know the safest way to trace where this leak is actually coming from without creating a fire hazard or damaging anything. What are the most likely culprits in that area, and what's the proper procedure to identify the exact source? I want to make sure I approach this methodically rather than just poking around and potentially making the problem worse. …more
Ford F53 V10 Cam Sensor No Start: Step-by-Step Repair Guide 2024
Electrical Medium 2-4 hours 85 👍

Ford F53 V10 Cam Sensor No Start: Step-by-Step Repair Guide 2024

Somewhere between last week's torrential downpour and this morning, my 2014 Bounder Classic 36H with the 2013 Ford F53 V10 chassis developed what appears to be a cam sensor failure preventing startup. The engine cranks over strong but absolutely will not start. I've been chasing this for weeks and I'm really hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Here's what I know: Forscan is showing cam sensor faults while cranking, even after I replaced the cam sensor. I've got fuel pressure, the crank sensor is new, and there are no stored codes. The tachometer moves during cranking attempts, so I know I'm getting some signal. After crank attempts, there's a strong fuel smell. I've disconnected the battery ground for over 5 minutes to reset any hanging codes.

I'm starting to suspect this might be a wiring harness issue or possibly something with the timing chain. I have a tone generator on the way to check for potential wire breaks. The frustrating part is that everything seems like it should work, but it's like the PCM isn't getting the right timing information.

I really need guidance on the most likely culprits for cam sensor faults on these V10s. What should I be focusing on to get this thing running again? …more

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2006 Fleetwood Tioga Fuel Shutoff Switch Location: Complete Guide
Engine Easy 15 minutes 84 👍

2006 Fleetwood Tioga Fuel Shutoff Switch Location: Complete Guide

Tried everything to get my 2006 Fleetwood Tioga running after it started cutting out randomly yesterday, but can't even find the fuel shutoff switch. I think it might be related to the inertial fuel shutoff switch, but I honestly have no idea where to even start looking for it.

Could someone please help me understand where this switch is typically located on this model? I've heard it could be in a few different spots but I don't want to go tearing apart panels randomly. Any guidance on the most common locations would be really appreciated! …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
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