Stranded...no power leaving coil

[Goebs]

Our first trip in the new to us Brave has started rough. Stuck on side of road, had rv towed to campground. Mechanic thinks it is a bad coil due to no power leaving coil. The rv simply died whilr driving down the road. Has full fuel. Gen was running. Now wont start. Geting fuel but wont fire.
I am in southern missouri and Orielly auto parts can get me a coil by tuesday.
Anything else you think I should look for?
Cant find the gm plug to have mechanic run a check. Looked all over but cant find it.
Rv is a 2001 brave 33 with a 8.1 vortec workhorse.
What a first trip! Gotta love rv breakdowns ay!
Goebs

[Bug512]

So both the motorhome engine and generator do not run ?

If so I would be looking at a fuel supply issue.

Another question? Does your 8.1 have a coil for every cylinder ? If so you have 8 coils... He thinks that they are all bad?

Did you notice the check engine light on before the engine quit ?

[Goebs]

The generator is running. The part that we think is bad is right above the distributor. It has a single plug that goes to the distributor and a snap on plig below with three prongs. There is no power leaving the thing. I spoke to an auto parts store and they said I should have eight as well. Not sure what to do. They said i need a part number fron chevy. Sunday doesnt help.

Thoughts?

[Bug512]

I'm confused?

If you have eight coils then you do not have a distributor. I believe they just have a crank (or cam) sensor then.

Maybe someone with a smiler year 8.1 can chime in.

[ronmc]

Could be an ignition switch or wires from switch. Do you change steering wheel position? I think flexing wires in steering column could do it.I had this problem (3 times) went away after I put steering wheel back in the downward position.jmho.

[ccook129]

All 8.1 engines are the same,there is not a distributor on this engine.It has 8 coil packs,one coil for each cylinder,so if one fails you can still run on 7 cylinders.
GM Vortec

Please give more info on what engine did before it quit.

[ronmc]

Going 60 suddenly die pull over. crank nothing - 5 minutes ok- happened 3 more times. happened to re-adjust wheel location back vertical.no more problems.usually have wheel in vertical position. had put it to horizontal the day before. Maybe??

["007"]

To be in the know your ignition wiring harness goes over a metal bend at top of steering column and when you change position of wheel the wiring harness will rub on this bend.
My metal bend had a burr on it and it cut into a wire causing the insulation on wire to melt smoke up through steering wheel and blow a 40amp fuse.
Required a new wiring harness. I place a piece of spaghetti wrap around wires over bend no problem since.

["007"]

Goebs welcome to the forum.
Can you supply a picture of coil your talking about that you think is your distributer?

[DriVer]

Originally Posted by Goebs

The generator is running. The part that we think is bad is right above the distributor. It has a single plug that goes to the distributor and a snap on plig below with three prongs.

Goebs, I just wish we could see what it is your are trying to explain. That said we can assure you that the 8.1L engine does not have a distributor. Please do not pay for anything that might be described as a coil since you have 8 of these things. If you are in Southern Missouri, there are Workhorse Service Centers that can help you.

Jenkins Diesel Power, Inc.
1900 E. Blaine Springfield, MO 65803
(417) 862-5210
Fax: (417) 862-1315
Mapquest | Google Maps

Arkansas Traveler RV Repair, LLC
14415 Hwy 5 Cabot, AR 72023
(501)983-9709
Fax: (501)983-1476
Mapquest | Google Maps

Hodges Heavy Duty Trucks
3821 S. Arkansas Ave. Russellville, AR 72834
(479) 967-1333
Fax: (479) 967-1998
Mapquest | Google Maps

Price Professional Automotive
18449 U.S. Highway 66 Eureka, MO 63069
(636)938-3500
Fax: (636)938-9999
Mapquest | Google Maps

Diamond International of Joplin
2800 S Davis Blvd Joplin, MO 64804
(417) 781-2766
Fax: (417) 781-0248
Mapquest | Google Maps

[ronmc]

007 Thanks for the info. on the steering column.How much problem to disassemble the column. I think I'll be doing it in the future.

[ccook129]

sounds like ignition switch problem

http://oemys-performance.com/media/w...on%20relay.pdf

[Goebs]

Been in non internet land. Did some testing and realized I do have a coil. I dont have the individual coils. I replaced the coil with the same size as what is in a chevy suberban 99 thru 2003. The thing fired right up. Now I need to be sure I actually have the 8.1 vortec as the label says. When i get home from this trip I will do some checking to see what is in the new rv. I definetely dont have individual coils. My new to us rv is a 2001 winebago brave 33v. Hope this is what it in her. Either way, it runs great and goes right up the hills in Arkansas with little to no trouble. Quite a change from our old 454 Bounder.

I am puzzled to say the least. Will resolve when i get home..

Goebs

["007"]

Ron, the panels come off without a problem the ones facing the drivers seat will get you to the internals.

[jimbo16720]

Sounds like a bad module. Little electronic device that looks like a v-shape with 2 wires on each side. Had on go bad before, just like someone turned the key off.

[justimagination]

......Goebs, glad your back on the road, it cannot be a good feeling, but thanks to IRV2 you got a lot of help. BTW, welcome to a great site, you never know when you need an answer to some proble. Jump in anytime and let us know when you get home. Good luck and travel safe.
David G.

[Goebs]

I am back home as of a few hours ago. What a trip! Learned more about my rv than I wanted to... I now understand what motor I have vs. what I thought and was told I purchased. Not a big deal, just tough to diagnose problems when I was looking for the wrong parts.

Learned that the side awning can't stay locked in place with a side wind of @45mph wind. Learned that my generator doesnt like to run in the rain. Found that wire problem and hopefully solved it.

Learned that the previous owner or seller removed the temperature control valve that controls the dash heat. That explained why in my initial post here that no replies made sense. I am going to get the correct parts and see if I can correct the heat, or lack there of.

Besides working out the kinks on our new to us rv, we had an absolute blast and can't wait to go on another trip. We traveled 1700 miles, had one tow, lots of smiles, good fun around the campfire, and great hiking and mtn biking.

Thanks so much for all the replies to all! You guys are so helpfull. I wil surely tap some knowledge in the next few weeks while going through my list or corrections on our rv.

Thanks again!

Goebs and family.

[ccook129]

Lost me!!

[DAN L]

[QUOTE=Goebs;823771]Learned that the previous owner or seller removed the temperature control valve that controls the dash heat. That explained why in my initial post here that no replies made sense. I am going to get the correct parts and see if I can correct the heat, or lack there of.

i replaced my inoperative vacuum controlled heater water control valve with pn 74612 , factory air, from schucks. the small vacuum lines needed to have rubber hose spliced in 2 locations.

[wa8yxm]

I would have to look "under the hood" (well doghouse cover) but I think you should hve multiple coils as well, at least 4, if not 8. I'd guess the problem is elsewhere.

Now if it was a 1971,,, I'd know several other answers but hey. Times have changed.

You need to hook up a code reader (Any auto supply house, OBD II for anything made this century) and translate the code... The code won't always tell you the EXACT problem but the last time I translated a code I was 30 seconds from on the road again.. It was that easy to fix.