Hello, my name is Tony Toutouni. I have a 2014 Newmar Ventana 3634 diesel motorhome located in Beverly Hills, California, ZIP code 90210.
I recently found a mechanic who performed an initial diagnosis and believes the chassis disconnect solenoid may be defective. However, I am looking for a more experienced and professional RV electrical specialist who understands Newmar diesel motorhomes, Battery Control Center systems, chassis wiring, and high amperage continuous duty solenoids. I would like someone to independently confirm the diagnosis and properly complete the repair.
The problem started last night, immediately after a new stereo was installed and the original front seats were reinstalled.
The seats are not new or replacement seats. They are the same original seats that were previously in the RV. They were removed to be reupholstered and then installed back into their original positions. The existing seat motors, electrical connections, and wiring were reused.
After the stereo installation and seat reinstallation were completed, I sat in the driver’s seat and moved the seat forward. I started the RV and noticed that the headlights were not working. As soon as I turned on the headlight switch, the engine shut off and all the lights began flickering.
I attempted to restart the RV, but it would not start. I turned the headlight switch off and tried again, and the engine started. However, the RV would not move when I tried to drive it, and the headlights were still not working.
When I turned the headlights on again, the engine immediately shut off. After that, the RV would not restart.
During the inspection, we discovered that several fuses had blown. We replaced the blown fuses, and the RV restarted. Everything appeared to be working normally for approximately two minutes. Then the same electrical problem occurred again.
Because multiple fuses blew and the problem returned shortly after they were replaced, I am concerned that there may be an active short circuit, overloaded circuit, damaged wire, incorrect stereo power connection, or wiring that was pinched or disturbed when the original seats were removed and reinstalled. The fact that the problem began immediately after the stereo installation and seat reinstallation may be important.
The chassis batteries and main battery connections were inspected, and the batteries were holding proper voltage. The main grounds were checked. The chassis and Battery Control Center fuse areas were inspected. The stereo wiring was also reviewed with the installer to determine where it was connected to the coach power system.
The mechanic traced the main power feed to the chassis disconnect solenoid and tested the input, output, and control terminals. The problem is intermittent. At times, full battery voltage is present at the solenoid input, but there is little or no voltage at the output. The control voltage has also been inconsistent.
The chassis disconnect solenoid is currently one of the main suspects. However, because the replacement fuses only restored operation for approximately two minutes, I believe the source of the electrical fault must be found before repeatedly replacing fuses or installing a new solenoid. There could be an intermittent problem involving the solenoid control circuit, Battery Control Center, ignition wiring, headlight circuit, stereo wiring, seat wiring, fuse connections, or main grounds.
The suspected replacement and cross referenced part numbers are:
Trombetta 684-1211-012, 12 volt, four post, continuous duty PowerSeal contactor.
HWH RAP38933 or AP38933, 12 volt, four post, continuous duty relay.
HWH RAP7505 or AP7505, older number superseded by RAP38933.
White Rodgers or Essex 124-105111, older number listed as superseded by RAP38933.
HWH RAP4276 or AP4276, obsolete number superseded by RAP38933.
Cole Hersee 24213, 24213-BP, or 24213-BX, 12 volt, four post, normally open, 200 amp continuous duty solenoid. This should only be used after confirming the terminal configuration, mounting, coil grounding, and required amperage.
Before replacing the solenoid, I need an experienced RV electrical specialist to inspect and test the following:
The new stereo wiring and where it was connected to chassis power.
The original power, ground, and control wiring underneath both reinstalled front seats.
Any wiring that may have been pinched, pulled, damaged, or shorted when the seats were removed, reupholstered, and reinstalled.
The exact fuses that blew and the circuits protected by those fuses.
The headlight circuit and its connection to the chassis electrical system.
The Battery Control Center, ignition circuit, and chassis disconnect control circuit.
The voltage drop across the two large solenoid terminals while the failure is occurring.
Whether the solenoid is receiving a steady 12 volt control signal.
Please let me know if you have experience diagnosing Newmar diesel motorhomes and Battery Control Center electrical systems, whether you can come to Beverly Hills, ZIP code 90210, and whether you have the correct solenoid available or can obtain it immediately.
Please also let me know your diagnostic fee and earliest availability.
Thank you,
Tony Toutouni
I recently found a mechanic who performed an initial diagnosis and believes the chassis disconnect solenoid may be defective. However, I am looking for a more experienced and professional RV electrical specialist who understands Newmar diesel motorhomes, Battery Control Center systems, chassis wiring, and high amperage continuous duty solenoids. I would like someone to independently confirm the diagnosis and properly complete the repair.
The problem started last night, immediately after a new stereo was installed and the original front seats were reinstalled.
The seats are not new or replacement seats. They are the same original seats that were previously in the RV. They were removed to be reupholstered and then installed back into their original positions. The existing seat motors, electrical connections, and wiring were reused.
After the stereo installation and seat reinstallation were completed, I sat in the driver’s seat and moved the seat forward. I started the RV and noticed that the headlights were not working. As soon as I turned on the headlight switch, the engine shut off and all the lights began flickering.
I attempted to restart the RV, but it would not start. I turned the headlight switch off and tried again, and the engine started. However, the RV would not move when I tried to drive it, and the headlights were still not working.
When I turned the headlights on again, the engine immediately shut off. After that, the RV would not restart.
During the inspection, we discovered that several fuses had blown. We replaced the blown fuses, and the RV restarted. Everything appeared to be working normally for approximately two minutes. Then the same electrical problem occurred again.
Because multiple fuses blew and the problem returned shortly after they were replaced, I am concerned that there may be an active short circuit, overloaded circuit, damaged wire, incorrect stereo power connection, or wiring that was pinched or disturbed when the original seats were removed and reinstalled. The fact that the problem began immediately after the stereo installation and seat reinstallation may be important.
The chassis batteries and main battery connections were inspected, and the batteries were holding proper voltage. The main grounds were checked. The chassis and Battery Control Center fuse areas were inspected. The stereo wiring was also reviewed with the installer to determine where it was connected to the coach power system.
The mechanic traced the main power feed to the chassis disconnect solenoid and tested the input, output, and control terminals. The problem is intermittent. At times, full battery voltage is present at the solenoid input, but there is little or no voltage at the output. The control voltage has also been inconsistent.
The chassis disconnect solenoid is currently one of the main suspects. However, because the replacement fuses only restored operation for approximately two minutes, I believe the source of the electrical fault must be found before repeatedly replacing fuses or installing a new solenoid. There could be an intermittent problem involving the solenoid control circuit, Battery Control Center, ignition wiring, headlight circuit, stereo wiring, seat wiring, fuse connections, or main grounds.
The suspected replacement and cross referenced part numbers are:
Trombetta 684-1211-012, 12 volt, four post, continuous duty PowerSeal contactor.
HWH RAP38933 or AP38933, 12 volt, four post, continuous duty relay.
HWH RAP7505 or AP7505, older number superseded by RAP38933.
White Rodgers or Essex 124-105111, older number listed as superseded by RAP38933.
HWH RAP4276 or AP4276, obsolete number superseded by RAP38933.
Cole Hersee 24213, 24213-BP, or 24213-BX, 12 volt, four post, normally open, 200 amp continuous duty solenoid. This should only be used after confirming the terminal configuration, mounting, coil grounding, and required amperage.
Before replacing the solenoid, I need an experienced RV electrical specialist to inspect and test the following:
The new stereo wiring and where it was connected to chassis power.
The original power, ground, and control wiring underneath both reinstalled front seats.
Any wiring that may have been pinched, pulled, damaged, or shorted when the seats were removed, reupholstered, and reinstalled.
The exact fuses that blew and the circuits protected by those fuses.
The headlight circuit and its connection to the chassis electrical system.
The Battery Control Center, ignition circuit, and chassis disconnect control circuit.
The voltage drop across the two large solenoid terminals while the failure is occurring.
Whether the solenoid is receiving a steady 12 volt control signal.
Please let me know if you have experience diagnosing Newmar diesel motorhomes and Battery Control Center electrical systems, whether you can come to Beverly Hills, ZIP code 90210, and whether you have the correct solenoid available or can obtain it immediately.
Please also let me know your diagnostic fee and earliest availability.
Thank you,
Tony Toutouni
