Resolved Headlight Issue

I have a 2015 Newmar DutchStar 4369. My headlight on the passenger side won’t work. I have changed the bulb and checked the fuse. It works when I have them on bright as it is a 4 headlight system. But on dim it won’t work. I guess my next target is to check the steering wheel control module. Does anyone know where that is or what it looks like? Looking for help. Newmar can’t help. They say it is a Freightliner issue and Freightliner want $260 p/hour to wrk on it.

 

[PdMeehan]

@Freightrain I had the exact problem with our 2014 DSDP. I had Freightliner in Gaffney change the bulb. Neither they nor I checked to see if the problem was resolved, It was not. Took coach to a Freightliner Service Center. They indicated there was an electrical short in the harness. They tried to find it but simply performed a wiring overlay from the driver's low beam. Still did not work properly.
Rarely do I drive at night. On a day trip I had to use the windshield wipers which turn on the headlights. Once back into my storage area I sensed a burning smell. I looked around and found that a wiring harness/relay located in the electrical bay under driver's seat had melted.
Took coach to Independence RV in Winter Garden, FL (Now General RV). They replaced the wiring harness and found upon testing the new harness was getting very hot. They reached out to Newmar who indicated a new diode pack was available. The diode pack was installed and the heat dissipated.
There was another DSDP on the lot at the time of my repair. They checked their headlight harness and found it was getting too hot. They replaced the harness and install the diode pack on that coach as well.
I wonder how many coaches are out there with this problem and may not know.
There was a recall about 10 years ago tied to this headlight harness.
Best wishes!
Paul

 

[Freightrain]

@Freightrain I had the exact problem with our 2014 DSDP. I had Freightliner in Gaffney change the bulb. Neither they nor I checked to see if the problem was resolved, It was not. Took coach to a Freightliner Service Center. They indicated there was an electrical short in the harness. They tried to find it but simply performed a wiring overlay from the driver's low beam. Still did not work properly.
Rarely do I drive at night. On a day trip I had to use the windshield wipers which turn on the headlights. Once back into my storage area I sensed a burning smell. I looked around and found that a wiring harness/relay located in the electrical bay under driver's seat had melted.
Took coach to Independence RV in Winter Garden, FL (Now General RV). They replaced the wiring harness and found upon testing the new harness was getting very hot. They reached out to Newmar who indicated a new diode pack was available. The diode pack was installed and the heat dissipated.
There was another DSDP on the lot at the time of my repair. They checked their headlight harness and found it was getting too hot. They replaced the harness and install the diode pack on that coach as well.
I wonder how many coaches are out there with this problem and may not know.
There was a recall about 10 years ago tied to this headlight harness.
Best wishes!
Paul

Thanks Just FYI, I broke down and took mine to Freightliner this morning. They found diode pack was the issue. They have ordered me one. Should be here tomorrow. But thanks for the info and reply

 

[Chuggs]

Could you possibly post the part number, and if possible the location where it got mounted. I put led's in...and have the same passenger side out on low beam. Frustrating. Diode pack...who would've known. Thanks so much. Sounds like you've got a fix. At least worth a try.

 

[PdMeehan]

Could you possibly post the part number, and if possible the location where it got mounted. I put led's in...and have the same passenger side out on low beam. Frustrating. Diode pack...who would've known. Thanks so much. Sounds like you've got a fix. At least worth a try.

Harness FCCC HI/LO Headlight part #N143191

Adapter Diode FCCC HDLT HI/LO part # 170777

Located in front driver's side electrical bay. Center of wall facing you. If you have the problem or the potential to have the problem the harness connection will be warm to hot when the low beam headlights have been on for a while.

 

[Chuggs]

Thank you so much for posting. I hope your's is fixed...and maybe you've found my issue as well. Much appreciated!!!

 

[stang37]

I had the same issue on my 2026 Ventana. Newmar had NIRVC on Lewisville Tx. install the diode pack. That resolved the issue. Last year I started having an issue again with the lights. I would get an error message on the light bar once I turned the engine off. (sensor Failure). Included was a bussing and the Odometer milage showing on the light bar. Freightliner had no idea as to what was causing that. Only way to clear the bussing was to turn chassis batteries off then back on. It turned out to be a shorted plug on the passenger headlight.

 

[Chuggs]

Turns out I have that Harness...it was installed as part of a recall by Newmar Techs at the TAMPA Show. It looks patent. Except...there is a Grey Molex Plug stuck into a 3x diode pack. That plug got charred and the diode pack melted somewhat. None of the diodes in the pack test good with a multimeter.

Molex doesn't mfg. the plug anymore...but luck would have it...a 4 circuit Deutsch Connector is a direct replacement. I ordered the Diode Pack from Mouser.com...and happened to have a set of Deutsch Connectors I purchased off Amazon. I still had two 4-circuit plugs left. Just waiting on the part from Mouser to arrive to see if Headlights work properly again. I think this is the Achilles Heel of the headlight circuit. People replacing this have mentioned it still gets hot. I think this is a pretty poor design. I know I'm not the only one that has burned out a diode pack.

 

[Chuggs]

I reread my recall. It happened back in 2018…and they installed mine in January of 2019. The recall was due to the fact that when you went to High Beam, the Low Beam would turn off. It was their intention that when you go to a high beam…both High and Low would illuminate together for better visibility.

I’m wound up using the same diode pack as before…so, it’s only a matter of time before it melts again, I would presume. I guess I need to find specs on the “New” version to see if it is capable of more amps, etc….