Vectra, access to generator

Bigpeetee · 07-11-2015, 10:07 PM

I'm in the UK and have just bought a 2004 Vectra 40AD

Sadly, she's been neglected, mostly by being in storage for over 3 years.

We've scrubbed and cleaned for the last week and started to undertake a full schedule of servicing.

HOWEVER, how do I lift the hood to enable me to slide out the generator???

Probably very simple, but I don't want to break anything by trying too hard!!

Can't find anything in the mass of info provided by Winnebago.

Pete

bsamole · 07-12-2015, 06:49 AM

I do not know about the 2004 Vectra however the generator on my 2000 Horizon does not slide out. It must be unbolted and dropped down like the transmission on a car.

Jerry J · 07-12-2015, 07:29 AM

Have you looked underneath the generator, left side or right side when facing the front, for the pin connected to a cable that holds the generator from sliding out the front? Then there are two latches under the hood about 1/3 from each side of the bottom of the hood. The hood will pull out and up. There is a center latch to push to let the generator out once you get the hood open.

emiddleb · 07-12-2015, 07:52 AM

What Jerry said... '04 Vectra gen is on a slide. Open front panel with side latches, swing up, look down on right side for pin (on ring/cable) down at bottom, pull it, then push center latch and pull out. Reverse (don't forget the pin) to close.

Bumps · 07-12-2015, 08:04 AM

You might need to scootch on the ground underneath the front cap in order to see/remove the pin/cable combo. \ken

lajuene · 07-12-2015, 09:43 AM

The pin is at the bottom on the driver side. You must pull the pin out from underneath. I just lay on the ground to pull it out. The comments above are correct about the two latches, right and left. Squeeze them towards the center and swing the hood down. Then grab the center latvh, squeeze and pull it out (after you pull the pin of course). You can then access the coolant check and oil check and circuit breaker. The breaker will trip if you try to draw too much from the generator. You can reach the check points and breaker without pulling the pin however so pulling the generator out on its slides is rarely necessary. The owners manual has all of this I believe. If you need the manual and other electronic documents they are all available at the Winnebago website. Remember to run the generator under at least half load for an hour or two every month. If you do that you will eliminate 90% of the problems people have with generators.

lajuene · 07-12-2015, 09:45 AM

PS, the pin is hard to find the first time, took me 5 minutes at least. It is through a hole in the slide rail and NOT through the generator itself.

Bigpeetee · 07-12-2015, 10:04 AM

Thanks all, had a look today but cant see or feel the latches to open the hood!!!!

There is a lower part with the Winnebago logo and an upper part, approx 1/3 of the way from the edge is a scoop that looks like it's where a latch would be, but I can't feel anything.

Any chance of a photo so I can see the latch mechanism for the front panel.

Thanks in advance, Pete

PS, been out in it over the weekend and had great fun, it's the maximum size vehicle allowed in Europe, so to everyone who sees it, it's massive, especially on our small narrow roads. Excited!!

Jerry J · 07-12-2015, 10:29 AM

Put your fingers in the scoops with the palms facing you and squeeze toward yourself. Pull hood as it comes out and up.

Bigpeetee · 07-12-2015, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry J

Put your fingers in the scoops with the palms facing you and squeeze toward yourself. Pull hood as it comes out and up.

I'll give it a try tomorrow, just didn't want to break anything being "Too" strong!!

lajuene · 07-12-2015, 12:36 PM

Here you can see the two slots where you put your hands palm up and squeeze upward.

lajuene · 07-12-2015, 12:42 PM

Here are a few photos showing the pin in and out and the steel cable lanyard so it doesn't get lost. Also a photo of the latch for pulling the generator out on its slide and one showing it pulled fully out. Good luck.

lajuene · 07-12-2015, 01:02 PM

Here's a few pics from the parts manual showing the latches

lajuene · 07-12-2015, 01:07 PM

You can get all your manuals and schematics for plumbing, electrical and body parts at:
http://m.winnebagoind.com/product-re...ct-information

Bigpeetee · 07-13-2015, 09:20 AM

Thanks guys for all your help finally sorted!.

The pull levers had been pushed forward and up so were out of sight.

A length of strip banding found in the storage yard was bent into a "j" and I managed to hook both paddles and drop the down. great to get into the Genny, luckily all levels were OK but needed washer fluid.

Just then, the rain started.................. so went home!!

Out of interest, is it normal for all driving lights to be "ON" when the engine is started, even if they're turned "OFF" on the dash?

ChasA · 07-13-2015, 01:55 PM

Concerning the lights: yes it is normal. We call them Daytime Running Lights, DRLs for short.

Welcome to the forum.

lajuene · 07-13-2015, 02:49 PM

My headlights are on all the time with engine running.

Bigpeetee · 07-16-2015, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lajuene

PS, the pin is hard to find the first time, took me 5 minutes at least. It is through a hole in the slide rail and NOT through the generator itself.

Spent 5 mins looking only to find it was missing!!

There was the security cable but that was it, the generator moved freely when operating the lever at the top.

Temp fix of inserting a bolt to ensure it stays put if I ever needed to slam on the brakes. Luckily, the farmers stores sell that type of pin.

I'm glad I asked the question, and even more happy that you and others helped so much.

Stopped a potential incident.

Bigpeetee · 07-16-2015, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lajuene

PS, the pin is hard to find the first time, took me 5 minutes at least. It is through a hole in the slide rail and NOT through the generator itself.

Spent 5 mins looking only to find it was missing!!

There was the security cable but that was it, the generator moved freely when operating the lever at the top.

Temp fix of inserting a bolt to ensure it stays put if I ever needed to slam on the brakes. Luckily, the farmers stores sell that type of pin.

I'm glad I asked the question, and even more happy that you and others helped so much.

Stopped a potential incident.

lajuene · 07-16-2015, 02:50 PM

It won't go anywhere but it's best to have a pin just in case. I imagine an emergency hard braking might make it roll out and break the grill or latch. Not sure. A pin is the best bet. Glad you got it all figured out.

Here's the owners manual for the generator.
http://tinyurl.com/q5j2wcy

Good luck!