2015 DSDP on freighliner, power but no crank / start.

[marc2912]

So the quick version to see if anyone has any idea. Stopped at a rest area to use facilities/grab a snack. Got back to RV and it turn on but no crank. Called Newmar and looked at a few things but they really don't know. It looks like most ignition fuses are actually self resetting and the two 150A fuses in the back are good. Batteries are brand new and no issues starting generator. Tried battery boost, tried removing and swapping out some like self resetting fuses in case one was bad or a bad contact. Nothing is working/changing. I get all regular dash and acc lights etc. just no crank. Posting and will add more info as I get it. Right now though Newmar is waiting for freightliner to return from lunch to see if they can help.

 

[Neal]

Using the Freightliner 24/7 app, call them using that number. 1-800-FTL-HELP

 

[marc2912]

So the longer version. I'm heading home with the family and about 2.5 hours from home. We stopped at a rest area and i left the generator running since the pets are in the RV and we took a stretch/snack break. I went back to the RV ahead to get fuel (the one pump had people waiting). I went to start and nothing. Dash goes through the standard paces before you start. Break is on, tranny in neutral, jacks in travel mode etc. I mean all I did when we stopped is turn off the ignition and it just won't start. No errors or anything just when I go to crank nothing happens. Called Newmar and they were asking me to look here or there but the rep didn't seem to really have much of any idea (not that he wasn't trying). At the end he tried to called Freightliner but they're on lunch so he said he'd ask the techs and if he had anything would call otherwise he'd call back when they're back from lunch. As I mentioned above I also had tried:

• Cycling the transmission in and out of Neutral
• Switching out identical self resetting fuses for anything marked ignition
• Checking all connections on self resetting fuses.
• Rep had me look at the 150A fuses in the rear chassis battery compartment but they look fine and my understanding is that if they were blown I wouldn't get any lights here.
• I tried switching the battery disconnect off and back on but didn't have much hope there since I was seeing battery voltage at dash. It turned off my generator and the generator started back up no issues.

I can't think of anything else. When I go to crank there is only a single click sound from rear which I assume is the starter relay clicking but nothing else. No dead batter click click click or any other sound. (sorry for the non technical terms).

Right now stranded with wife, kids, dog/cat and it's been a bit of a nightmare vacation so if anyone has any ideas please share.

 

[marc2912]

Using the Freightliner 24/7 app, call them using that number. 1-800-FTL-HELP

5 mins from Newmar calling back with them on (hopefully). If they don't within 15-20 I'll give that a try, thanks Neal.

 

[Neal]

Did you look in the compartment below the driver's seat (forward left basement) and see if anything is lit up for fuses, etc.?

 

[marc2912]

Did you look in the compartment below the driver's seat (forward left basement) and see if anything is lit up for fuses, etc.?

In the main panel only one is the shade one but it's been busted and I just haven't had the time to trace the issue. Nothing else. In the two freightliner fuse box there there's no indicator lights but that's where I checked and only saw self resetting fuses. There seems to be 6 different ignition 5 pin self resetting fuses there.

 

[DennisT]

Late to the question but can you tie the house batteries in to see if that will let you start it? Battery boost from house….

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Did you resolve your starting problem? This doesn't have anything to do with solving the issue, but the Freightliner Help desk is 24/7/365, they don't shut down for lunch.

 

[marc2912]

So update:

Freightliner wasn't anymore help and made me try the same things I had already gone through.

We were on our way home after a pretty crappy overall two weeks.

• Accident taking out 2 bays... Long story on that one.
• Fridge stopped working and Sometic bay fridge/freezer freezes everything regardless of temp setting.
• Getting put in a site that was all sand and had to dig out with 4 people
• KOA campground not enforcing dog leash policy or breed policy and my dog getting bit by a Pitbull.
• Macerating toilet thinking it's a geyser (fixed it on the road)
• Generator not starting (fixed it on the road)
• All front shades/blinds not working

We were about 2.5 hours from home and stopped to stretch etc. That's when this last episode happened. Spent 4 hours trying to fix it. Ended up having to get it towed to the Albany NY Freightliner service center. Don't even know what the tow bill is going to be yet, nor the repair. The Freightliner shop told me it's going to be 2 weeks till they can even look at it. We had trip planned to a close-by park for the kids in a few days that I just canceled.

Honestly it's been a rough few week (thanks if you're still reading for listening to me bitch). The wife is really debating whether she even wants us to keep it and after all this I can't really blame her. Yes the kids love the time but at this point the headaches aren't really balancing out the fun (or upcoming cost).

 

[marc2912]

Late to the question but can you tie the house batteries in to see if that will let you start it? Battery boost from house….

Tried that too, one of the first things I had tried but didn't have too much hope there, the chassis batteries are 3 weeks old.

My guess is either the transmission isn't sending a clear neutral signal, a dead starter, or an electrical issue.

I'd probably lean towards #3. I could have probably tried to put 12v directly to the starter but based on where it's located it wouldn't have been the safest thing for me to do alone with what I had.

 

[SherryB]

I'm wondering if the shades not working are creating an issue where the ignition thinks they are down and therefore won't start. I know if I try to start mine when the front shade is too low nothing happens. I'm guessing this is an obvious thing you already considered and at this point is not really a factor but sometimes I miss the obvious so thought I'd comment...

 

[Neal]

Any type of mobile mechanic that can come help or contact a nearby FL shop? Cummins?

 

[marc2912]

I'm wondering if the shades not working are creating an issue where the ignition thinks they are down and therefore won't start. I know if I try to start mine when the front shade is too low nothing happens. I'm guessing this is an obvious thing you already considered and at this point is not really a factor but sometimes I miss the obvious so thought I'd comment...

It worked fine the entire trip with them and they were busted in the up position so I doubt that's it. We're talking over a dozen start with no issues over multiple weeks.

 

[marc2912]

Any type of mobile mechanic that can come help or contact a nearby FL shop? Cummins?

That's where she got towed to (freightliner). No mobile shop neearby that would come out and freightliner doesn't do it here. We travel with our cat who's diabetic since he needs shots all the time and when on the road he's in his carrier. We had already been close to 7 hours on the road.. or the side of it. I didn't want him and the kids to have to deal with this any longer at this point especially since we had more than 2 hours left to go.