| Author | Message | ||
| Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 425 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 209.156.24.114  Rating: N/A |
OK guys, here is a weird one for you.... I just started to notice that sometimes as I make a right hand turn the lights will dim. At first I thought that it may be because of the generator slowing down as I slow to make a turn, but then I noticed it on a curve in the road as I maintained a steady speed. My bus has the original wiring and charging system, 12vdc, positive ground, generator, and voltage regulator. I've done some evaluating of the problem over the last few weeks and found the following: 1. It's not just the lights that dim it is anything that is powered by the 12vdc. My drivers fan slows down, the dash lights dim, the indicator lights dim, etc... 2. The charging gauge does not change. It is in the middle as it always is. 3. It is very intermittent. 4. It happens ONLY while making a right turn. I have looked for the usual loose connections in all of the electrical panels and found nothing obvious. Has anyone ever seen this kind of thing before? And of course any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have not yet determined if it is just happening to the components connected to the front panel only. I plan on connecting a light to the rear electrical panel to see if it dims also. . | ||
| Len Silva (Lsilva)
Registered Member Username: Lsilva Post Number: 376 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 72.187.35.208  Rating: N/A |
You are on the right track. Almost certainly a loose connection or a wire grounding out when you make a turn. It's going to be a bear to find, good luck with it. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1918 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.71.157  Rating: N/A |
check the ground connections at the battery box and the bulkhead connection for the hot wire. Probably happening from body flex with a poor connection. You may also want to check the engine to body and cradle frame ground straps. | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 1184 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 173.202.38.197  Rating: |
John, Check the steering arm under the driver. There are a bunch of wires there and as I remember the steering linkage is close to those wires. It could also be in the turn signal switch wiring. Usually if you have short it affects just about everything in the system. The charging gauge probably does not work properly unless you have the complete original electrical system. Mine has a belt driven alternator installed and the charging gauge needle just wanders back and forth over the dial!! My 4104 wires are going to hell after 56 years on the road. I have a strange one too, first my rear clearance lights grounded out and burned out the switch. I disconnected them, end of that problem and the front stilled worked. Then I hit a bush in my son's driveway on the right front top clearance light and broke it completely off. Replaced it and hooked up the old wires, no fronts either?? So now I have no clearance lights of any kind. This is my next job but this happened just before and during a 3500 mi trip so I just let it ride until we got home today. | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 106 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 69.171.160.92  Rating: N/A |
NUTZ..!! There goes my chance to find a home for those '04 clearance lights that I salvaged just before it was "reduced" hydraulically. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1920 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.71.157 Rating: N/A |
steering arm?? the steering shaft is fully enclosed clear to the miter box. | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 1186 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 173.202.11.16 Rating: N/A |
Jack, Tell me more about those lights. John, You're right, I am thinking of the long left front access door hinge. I knew some kind of moving contraption there had caused me shorting problems before - been a long time ago though! I found the wiring in that location to be generally a mess with deteriorated wire insulation the main problem. | ||
| Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 426 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 75.64.91.249 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Guys.... I have already checked the connections in the battery compartment but I didn't think about the various ground connections between body, frame, etc.... More hunting to do..... Jack, I could use a rear red "bullet" lens. If you don't want to break up the set I'll buy all three. Contact me at zimtok@hotmail.com with a price address etc... . | ||
| Roderick W. Chandler (Rod)
Registered Member Username: Rod Post Number: 47 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 173.184.52.227 Rating: N/A |
We will certainly be looking for the cause and solution when you finally get this solved as I am sure you will. | ||
| George M. Todd (George_todd)
Registered Member Username: George_todd Post Number: 1058 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 99.184.9.29 Rating: N/A |
One more suggestion to narrow the search down, would be to wiggle the wires between the voltage regulator and the alternator with the engine running a little above idle. When you find it, the lights will dim or flicker. I don't feel its a large cable, because nothing fails completely. The generator field wire carries very little current, and when it goes open, all that happens is the gen quits charging... G |
