I have a 2003 Winnebago Adventurer 35U and the overhead lights in the front part of the coach are not getting power. I was told that there must be a short somewhere. It is possible that we had a roof leak just prior to getting the roof resealed. What is the best way to track down where the short might be and fix it?
Using a jumper wire to a known good ground, first check to see if the lights now work. If grounds are good, next you'll have to find the last (+) source from the fuse panel. Using a meter, go to the closest working light to the first non-working light, see if they are 'daisy chained' from one to the next. Also check Winnebago wiring schematics to see if the lights are split on different circuits, wired to a wall switch, etc.
__________________
Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
We have the same MH. Forward overhead (ceiling) light is on a switch by itself. Are there other lights that don't work or just that one? You can go to Winnebago website and download the wiring schematics. Being a fiberglass roof I doubt it was do to a leak but it's certainly possible.
BTW, While it's possible you have a short it's unlikely. Shorts blow fuses, pop circuit breakers or burn up wires. You have checked the breakers haven't you? Most likely a bad connection or faulty component. I just say this because I worked in electronics and electrical for most of my life. Pet peeve of mine, seems everybody thinks an electrical problem is a short. They certainly occur but not all electrical problems are 'shorts'. Too bad because a short is obvious and they're easier to troubleshoot than the other possibilities.
There are actually 4 overhead lights and the light above the sink that do not work. I had the lights checked at Camping World and they are the ones who told me that there must be a short somewhere. They said that to troubleshoot further would require removing the ceiling in the front part of the coach, which is not something that I would want to do. I do think we had a water leak due to a the front seal on the roof not in good shape. I had the roof resealed to prevent further damage.
Okay, sounds like you mean all the ceiling lights forward of the bedroom. Thought you meant just the one up front by couch. In that case I would still go to Winnebago and download the wiring diagram and wiring installation for your coach.
There are actually 4 overhead lights and the light above the sink that do not work. I had the lights checked at Camping World and they are the ones who told me that there must be a short somewhere. They said that to troubleshoot further would require removing the ceiling in the front part of the coach, which is not something that I would want to do. I do think we had a water leak due to a the front seal on the roof not in good shape. I had the roof resealed to prevent further damage.
I'd test the ground connection at each light. Then use a long jumper wire from a good 12v (+) source and touch to the furthest light from the rear. That light should now work, and any light connected to it should also work. You'll soon discover where the wire break (not a short) is located.
__________________
Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
The front cap is several feet forward of the first ceiling light. It's possible but not likely a water leak there would affect all the ceiling lights. They are not daisy chained since you have a single light up front on a switch. Two in the center on a switch, one in hall on 2 3-way switches and the light over the sink, built in switch. I assume either you our the service techs checked all the DC breakers. There are 5 or so breakers labeled "Lamps". Not sure which one controls those lights as the breakers can't be turned off, only reset.
I would start at the switch inside the door for the forward ceiling light, see if you have 12v there. If not I would go right to the breakers which are directly below the switch.