2006 Itasca Sudden Dash/Chassis Electrical Issues

[Orange67]

Hello Everyone,

I’ve been searching through the forum but my problem seems to be a little different than others. Let me start off by saying that I am new to the motor home world. I recently purchased this rv (2006 Winnebago) and made a successful 10 hour trip with no issues except for an intermittent trailer light issue that I thought was in the 6 round plug. I could wiggle the plug and get the lights to work so I thought I might need to take a small screw driver and spread the pins out for better contact in the plug. On my next trip I left home and realized the turn signals, brake lights and cruise didn’t work. The turn signal lights don’t light up on the dash and don’t illuminate any bulbs. The brake lights don’t work but will illuminate when the headlights are turned on. The dash arrows also work when the flashers are on. The newest thing today is the headlights will work normal when turned on but the dash light will not be on. Once I turn the headlights off, the dash light comes on and the headlights stay on dimly. I figure I am chasing grounds but I’m stumped. I have checked the house battery terminal, cleaned the chassis lug behind the battery compartment and tried to find anything obvious? Does anyone have any ideas?

Thank you

 

[Orange67]

Also, with the key on, I do not get power to the (2) 5 amp fuses for the rear lights. These fuses only get power when the headlights are turned on. I have tried this with the engine running and the turn signals on. All other fuses are good

 

[creativepart]

So, you've said it's a "2006 Itasca" but given us no clue to which model? Nor do we know what chassis you have. Some Winnebago/Itasca motorhomes of that era have a Ford chassis and some have a Workhorse chassis.

All of your issues are chassis related - not "house" related - so all the issues and any solutions will be dependent on which motorhome and/or chassis you have.

 

[Morich]

The way to go on things when they are totally confusing is to pick one item and find a cure for that and as you go along, you will often find one cure may fix several things.

Your RV has three systems for electrical. Most of what you mention are in the "Normal" car/truck section, so it needs a look just as you would on any car or truck! That cuts confusion as you don't need to worry about all the other things like the power cord, generator, inside lights,etc. Just think about the stuff a truck would have!

Then cut the chase again by disconnecting anything from the trailer plug on back. That's lets you test just the RV.

There are several things that may need more thought to help clear them. One is the brake lights. There are often two sections/filiments in the brake light bulbs. One which is the taillight and the other which comes on when braking. But they are easy to confuse as they are in the same bulb!

I might first startlooking atobvious things like the wiring to the plug on back if there is still a problem with the cord disconnected.
One problem is that you have not told us much about WHICH 2006 Itasca you might have and there are lots and lots of them, so maybe take alook at this list and find which you have as a way to start looking for drawings and info if we need it?

https://www.winnebago.com/Files/Files/Winnebago/Resources/Diagram/Wiring.htm

Do you have a meter to help sort out when you have 12VDC and ground at different points? It's very hard to work this problem without the right tools!
If you have a meter, try testing for good solid ground on the correct pin in the plug on the RV back.
I think this will be what you have:

While there,look it and the wiring over. Does it look like there is enough corrosion to cross between the pins? Is the wiring feeding it okay or is it mashed insulation falling off, etc?
Many of the problems you've mentioned can come fromthe wires getting mashed together and a good place for that is where the trailerplug hangs down and get drug around on the ground! They are also hanging out in about the worst weather in the world!

Do a little checking and get back to us with more info and we can begin to sort it a bit??

 

[Orange67]

I guess i did leave you without some important details. It’s a 33v Itasca on a Workhorse chassis. Also, even though the trailer lights were intermittent, everything else worked fine. Now, the other issues have popped up (no turn signals, cruise, brakes, etc. I am with it right now and will investigate the bulbs now. I am currently cleaning the ground lug on the frame near the trailer plug in because it’s a little rusty. I’m not sure if this would cause the back feed to effect the headlights but it still needs addressed

 

[Orange67]

Thank you for the diagram!

 

[Orange67]

Update…
I have checked every ground I could find from front to back. After spending all day with a test light and tracing gremlins, I had a moment of clarity. I realized that I could hear the flasher relay clicking in a different. Location front the turn signal that was hanging down. I starting digging around under the dash and realized the days hinged up. I opened it up and found the secondary fuse panel. Like I said, this is my first tv experience and I didn’t realize there were 2. Problem Is solved. I have one turn signal bulb burnt out so I am guessing it popped the fuse. All is well now. Thank y’all very much for your help and not flaming me right off the bat. I’m sure I will have many more learning experiences down the road