Engine won’t shut off: Part II

[flyboy013]

I just remembered that the fuel filter in the service bay has a shutoff valve that you closed when you are replacing the fuel filter. I suppose rather than letting the coach run out of fuel, you could close the valve.

 

[Old-RV'er]

Slide Operation - The manual for mine and talking to Newmar they said to either have coach plugged into shore power or genset running. I think the slides operate with engine running, but I don't think the alternator puts out enough amps to handle charging all the batteries (they would be low from inverter tapping them for refer upon arrival) so I just always do like Newmar said, genset/shore power, engine off. I have attached all 3 slide out documents I have from Newmar. Some of the information may not be currently as they do reference 1998 and earlier coaches in one of them. Hope this helps.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

@TJ&LadyDi do your slide motors not operate when the engine is running? It’s beside the point but I am curious why you would shut the engine down, just to operate the slides. In fact, I find my slide motors seem to work better when the engine is running.

None of my slides will operate with the ignition switch in the ON position but two of them will operate when it is in the OFF position, even if the engine is running. The third slide (bedroom) will not operate with the engine running, even if the ignition switch is off. Yeah, I know…how does it know the engine is running? Beats me!

That leaves me in the position of needing to shut the engine off…somehow…in order to get the third slide in. I almost drove to the repair shop yesterday with the bedroom slide out, but thought better of it.

TJ

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

TJ - Going to assume, you have to do the "leave the campsite" the same as I do. I leave coach plugged into shore power, make sure the Oasis is off both diesel and Elec, antenna down, etc. Then raise leveling jacks, and start coach. As coach is airing up bags/brakes, coach attains ride height, and I then shut down engine. Have never had key not shut down engine. After reading all the posts/comments herein, I really think you got a bad switch. Could it be this simple, well, if everything else has been checked, that is the last thing in the chain. And it will not happen every time, just randomly, because that is the nature of the contacts in the switch. So see if they can change it out, and if that fixes the problem. I also believe, there are more than 3 wires into it, one of which is turn off fuel solenoid, one is kill 12V power to gauges, so if the contacts are bad, the gauges may also not go off, or that contact is good and they do. Regardless, check this out. Now all can laugh at me if turns out not to be issue, but nothing else has shown up the way I read it.

Although not germane to your coach, this freightliner chassis diagram shows the ignition switch, and you will note more than three wires off/in to it. If I am reading it correctly. Maybe this will help you, I'll take beer bet, the switch in spartan and freightliner is either the same or a very close cousin switch for both.

Spartan did provide me with a schematic of the starter switch (see below) but it really doesn’t help that much.

Personally, I think the problem is either a) the ignition switch or b) the relay that energizes the fuel shut-off valve. It is a fairly major job to dismantle the dash to reach the ignition switch, so until we can find a replacement I’m not willing to go there. I have asked Spartan if they have one available, but have not heard back from they yet. “Slow” seems to be the typical Spartan speed!

TJ

 

[MapNerd]

None of my slides will operate with the ignition switch in the ON position but two of them will operate when it is in the OFF position, even if the engine is running. The third slide (bedroom) will not operate with the engine running, even if the ignition switch is off. Yeah, I know…how does it know the engine is running? Beats me!

That leaves me in the position of needing to shut the engine off…somehow…in order to get the third slide in. I almost drove to the repair shop yesterday with the bedroom slide out, but thought better of it.

TJ

That’s bananas. Newmar should have fixed that

 

[Old-RV'er]

The switch may be the same, the wiring is different spartan versus freightliner. Clearly on my drawing, shows the stop fuel solenoid, the spartan one a tad bit different. Believe it's either as you said, the switch or the relay. Try to get them to send them both, replace switch first, see if that fixes it, then the relay if not. Keep us posted.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

That’s bananas. Newmar should have fixed that

“Should have fixed that” is not in Newmar’s vocabulary!

TJ

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

The switch may be the same, the wiring is different spartan versus freightliner. Clearly on my drawing, shows the stop fuel solenoid, the spartan one a tad bit different. Believe it's either as you said, the switch or the relay. Try to get them to send them both, replace switch first, see if that fixes it, then the relay if not. Keep us posted.

I haven’t even been able to get Spartan to call the techs back on a timely basis much less send me anything. I’m on my own here for buying whatever I need to fix the problem. Shouldn’t be that way, but it is.

TJ

 

[Old-RV'er]

TJ, instead of (assumed) dealing directly with spartan, can you call a spartan dealer. All you want is a switch and relay. I would order both, with understanding one my be returned, (yes pay the restocking fee), or keep it for spare. Now I realize the main customer service is dealing with not only you, but everyone who is having issues, or needing information. You also might get on Newgle and see if a replacement switch is in that parts area/catalog, or even call Newmar parts and see if they have one. Once spare in hand, either fix it yourselves, or have that RV place you are using replace it, keep all paperwork, then you might ask spartan or Newmar to reimburse you because a switch and/or the relay should not have failed within 3 years. I would be nice about it using all the honey I could. And I'm not known for my honey, especially when faced with an issue clearly well outside the normal breakdown arena. I am sure one spartan dealership would have one, and it seems waiting on customer service has not faired well. I have attached the Washington state spartan dealers (text file below) to assist in this. If other states needed let me know. The link is to the national service lookup.

Also, I have not tried to extend or retract my slides with engine running, all my slides are electric, you have mountain Aire, some of those I am assuming are hydraulic, and as such will operate differently. I don't remember if my old coach with all hydraulic slides would go out with engine running or not, just never tried it. Even then, genset or shore power was watchword.

Dealer Locator - Spartan RV Chassis

Find an RV dealer near you who sells motohomes built on a Spartan RV chassis.

www.spartanrvchassis.com

 

[Neal]

Can you ask Spartan or Cummins if they will courtesy/warranty replace the ignition switch and see how things go from there?

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Thanks for the suggestions, folks. The local shop here will do a couple of final checks today based on what the Spartan tech (who finally called back yesterday afternoon) suggested and then we’ll head back to the sticks ‘n bricks in Washington tomorrow.

Once we get home, we’ll find a way to get a replacement ignition switch and relay installed. I don’t hold out much hope for Spartan to provide a “courtesy” anything, so will expect to pay for the parts myself. If they surprise me, that will be a bonus.

TJ

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

UPDATE: just got an e-mail from Spartan regarding a replacement ignition switch. They have them in stock and they are $31.37. I will order one later this morning and will ask about a replacement relay as well. We’ll throw parts at this thing until it decideds to behave itself.

TJ

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

The problem with intermittent problems and replacing parts is twofold. You replace the ignition switch and it will shut the engine down 50 times but on the 51st it doesn't. You then replace the relay or fuel shutoff and hope you don't repeat the 50, 51st scenario. That's why FTL kept telling me unless they can duplicate the problem they can't fix it.

 

[Neal]

The problem with intermittent problems and replacing parts is twofold. You replace the ignition switch and it will shut the engine down 50 times but on the 51st it doesn't. You then replace the relay or fuel shutoff and hope you don't repeat the 50, 51st scenario. That's why FTL kept telling me unless they can duplicate the problem they can't fix it.

Sell it by 45th time and all is good

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

The problem being you never know if its going to be the 3rd time or the 50th or the....