Results for "indicator-lights"

Engine Hard 2-3 hours for diagnosis 209 👍 0

1999 F53 V10 Oil in Coolant: Complete Head Gasket Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Called three dealerships about warranty coverage for oil contamination in my 1999 Ford F53 V10's coolant system — before I tackle this head gasket nightmare myself. The unit overheated after the oil level dropped significantly, though it still starts and runs without throwing any codes.

Based on the symptoms, I suspect a blown head gasket, but I want to perform proper diagnostic testing before committing to a major repair. What specific diagnostic procedures should I run to confirm whether this is actually a head gasket failure versus other potential causes like a cracked head or block issue?

Looking for a systematic approach to pinpoint the exact problem before I start tearing into this engine. …more

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Engine Easy 15 minutes to inspect 166 👍 0

RV Tire Age Limits: Why Replace Michelin Tires After 7 Years Despite Good Tread

Called three different tire shops this month about my 2020 Newmar Ventana's Michelin 275/70R22.5 tires and all want them replaced just for being 6 years old despite perfect tread. I'm meticulous about tire maintenance - I check air pressure religiously before and after every trip, whether it's a short weekend getaway or an extended cross-country journey like the 5000-mile trip I just completed.

Despite my careful maintenance routine, I experienced a blowout on the right rear inside tire during the final leg of that recent long trip. When the roadside service technician came out to help, he recommended replacing all six tires specifically because of their age, even though the remaining tires still have plenty of tread depth and appear to be in excellent condition visually.

This has me confused because I've heard conflicting advice from other RV owners - some say well-maintained motorhome tires can safely last up to 10 years, while others insist on much shorter replacement intervals. I'm trying to understand what the actual safety guidelines are for RV tire replacement based on age versus tread wear. Should I really replace tires that still look good just because of when they were manufactured? What's the real story on how tire age affects safety, and how do I properly check the manufacturing date to make this decision? …more

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Engine Hard 4-6 hours 160 👍 0

How to Replace Obsolete F53 Chassis ABS Control Module - Ford Discontinued Repairs Guide

Last week my 2013 Coachman Encounter's F53 chassis started throwing ABS codes — can't afford the $3,000+ dealer quote so is there a DIY fix under $500? Our ABS control module failed, creating a no brakes issue. After being towed to a Ford Dealership on May 28th, the repair has been incredibly complex. They've received incorrect and damaged modules, and even after claiming to fix it, the ABS warning light remains on and reprogramming attempts have failed.

Ford apparently no longer makes this module for units over 10 years old. What alternatives exist for finding a compatible ABS control module for my older F53 chassis when OEM replacement isn't available? …more

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Best RV Solar Panel Kits

4.5 (12,700 reviews)

Plumbing Medium 1-4 hours 145 👍 0

How to Fix RV Fresh Water Tank Leaks: Complete Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Nobody warned me how tricky RV fresh water tank leaks could be — got my tools ready and determined to fix this dripping mess under my trailer myself. The dripping was pretty steady at first but seems to have slowed down overnight to just occasional drops. My tank gauge still shows full, so I don't think it's completely emptying out.

I can see there's an underbelly cover that would need to come down to access everything underneath, but I'm hoping maybe there are some easier spots I should check first? I'd rather not tackle removing panels if I don't have to - any guidance on where these leaks typically start would be really helpful, especially near the drain valve! …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 137 👍 0

Ford F53 Chassis Firewall Wiring: Finding Brake LED Through-Holes

Opened up my 2022 Holiday Rambler 36DB for spring prep and once again I'm staring at my 2021 Ford F53 chassis firewall wondering where those brake LED through-holes are hiding. I need to run the brake indicator LED wire from my toad to the dashboard inside the motorhome, but I'm having trouble locating the best firewall penetration point.

Rather than drilling a new hole through the firewall (which I'd prefer to avoid for obvious reasons), I'm hoping to find an existing through-hole or grommet that I can utilize. I've heard that Ford F53 chassis typically have several factory access points, but I'm not sure exactly where to look or which ones would be most suitable for this type of low-voltage wiring installation.

Can anyone provide specific guidance on where to find existing firewall through-holes on the F53 chassis that would work well for routing brake indicator wiring? I want to make sure I'm using an appropriate location that won't interfere with existing systems and will provide a clean, professional installation. …more

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Chassis Medium 3-4 hours 128 👍 0

2003 Ford F53 RV Chassis Wheel Bearing Grease Guide - Best Products &

I'm wondering if my grease choice is wrong for my 2003 Ford F53's front bearing replacement when my neighbor's identical motorhome runs perfectly after his service. The original grease that came out was a dark gray/black color and while there wasn't any catastrophic damage, the races showed enough wear marks that I decided to replace everything while I'm in there.

I've been researching different options and keep seeing conflicting recommendations. Some people swear by standard lithium grease, others recommend full synthetic formulations, and I've even seen mentions of specific brands like Valvoline MaxLife and Timken. I know the F53 chassis carries significantly more weight than a typical pickup truck, so I want to make sure I'm using something that can handle the load.

I have the torque procedure down (30 ft-lbs initial, back off, then final setting at 17 in-lbs), but I want to make sure I'm pairing that proper installation with the right grease. What specific grease products work best for the F53 front wheel bearings, and are there any compatibility issues I should be aware of when selecting a replacement grease? …more

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Engine Easy 15 min visual, 1 hour full 121 👍 0

Ford F53 Motorhome Brake Inspection: Complete Guide to Checking Rotors and Pads

Turned onto that steep mountain grade last week and heard grinding from my 2014 F53 chassis, but I can't figure out how to properly inspect the brake pads and rotors. I've been crawling around under there, contorting myself into every possible position, but I just can't get a good view of the brake components through the wheel openings.

Is there a specific technique or approach that actually works for getting a proper look at the pad thickness and rotor condition? I really want to stay on top of brake maintenance, but the limited visibility is making this nearly impossible. Should I be using special tools, or is there a better method I'm missing? …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 117 👍 0

Ford E450 RV Tire Cupping: Causes, Diagnosis & Complete Fix Guide

Walked out to our 2017 Ford E450 Class C this morning and noticed dangerous washboard-like tire cupping on the front right - is this safe with grandkids aboard? Left side is starting to join the party too. Here's the weird part though - this beast still tracks straight as an arrow, no steering wheel shimmy, turns fine, and when I jack it up the tire doesn't wiggle around like a loose tooth.

I'm scratching my head because everything LOOKS fine. Suspension components seem solid, shocks aren't leaking like my wallet at RV parks. But could the shocks actually be shot at only 36,000 miles? And more importantly - if I just slap new tires on this thing without fixing the root cause, am I just going to end up with expensive cupped tires again? …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours for thorough inspection 115 👍 0

2022 Newmar Bay Star 3609 Steering Play & Tire Wear Issues

Nobody told me what steering play should feel like on a 2022 Newmar Bay Star 3609 with 11k miles, and I'm worried these issues aren't normal. The coach has Liquid Springs and a Safe T Plus steering stabilizer that were professionally installed right after delivery, so I expected the steering to be really tight.

However, the owner mentioned there's still noticeable steering wheel play, and when I looked at the tires, the outer edge of the right front is significantly worn while the left front looks perfectly even. For such low mileage, this seems concerning to me. The owner says he gets annual alignments done professionally, so if it's not alignment causing this, what else could it be?

I'm worried there might be something seriously wrong with the chassis or steering components that could be dangerous or expensive to fix. Am I being overly cautious, or are these red flags I should walk away from? I really don't want to buy someone else's problem, especially when it comes to steering safety. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 1-2 hours 111 👍 0

Pace Arrow Zone AC Not Working - How to Fix Blinking Green LED Error Code

Noticed my 06 Pace Arrow is 18 years old and the dual zone AC's zone 1 is starting to completely fail with a blinking green LED — repair or replace? Zone 2 is working fine with a steady green LED on the control board, but zone 1 has this annoying blinking green LED that I'm pretty sure means something's wrong.

The thermostat isn't showing zone 1 anymore either. I'm thinking it's gotta be the control board since zone 2 is chugging along just fine with the same setup. Anyone know if a blinking LED definitely means the board is toast? And is there a way to test this without just buying a new board and hoping for the best? …more

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Electrical Easy Informational 106 👍 0

RV Battery Disconnect Switch Problems: Why Salesman Switches Fail

Since following that popular YouTube fix for my Thor Outlaw's battery drain, the salesman switch "solution" turned my minor electrical issue into a complete nightmare. Despite being marketed as a battery disconnect, this switch fails to eliminate parasitic draw completely while simultaneously disconnecting the batteries from the charging system when on shore power.

The design creates a problematic scenario: batteries continue draining through various circuits even when 'disconnected,' but they cannot receive charge from the converter. This results in dead batteries after extended storage periods, particularly when parked indoors where solar charging is unavailable.

I'm experiencing about a 50% probability of completely dead batteries, where they're disconnected from the converter and lack sufficient power to even reconnect to the charging system. The indicator light provides no reliable signal about the switch's actual position, making it impossible to track battery connection status.

What are the most effective solutions for addressing this flawed disconnect system? Are there proven workarounds that other Thor Outlaw owners have implemented, or should I be looking at bypassing this switch entirely? …more

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Best RV Batteries

4.5 (15,400 reviews)

Engine Medium 2-3 hours 103 👍 0

How to Fix Intermittent Cruise Control on Damon Daybreak F53 Chassis -

Standing here staring at my 2009 Damon Daybreak F53 that's 15 years old and starting to have intermittent cruise control failures — should I repair or replace the system? The dash light doesn't come on when I press set, and cruise won't engage. Previous owner spliced the red wire from an aftermarket trailer brake controller into a wire in the steering column. When I fiddle with the brake controller or jiggle that connection, cruise sometimes starts working again.

Can I safely disconnect the brake controller's red wire from the steering column to fix this? Will the brake controller still work if I remove that connection? …more

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Exterior Easy 5 minutes 102 👍 0

How to Disable Girard GG1000 Awning Motion Sensor

Spent the weekend camping only to have that piercing beep from my Girard GG1000 awning motion sensor going off constantly in the wind. I have a 2025 Tiffin Wayfarer with a Girard GG1000 awning and I'm trying to install support poles and a sunshade, but this darn motion sensor keeps retracting the awning every time I get near it or try to attach anything.

I've looked through the manual twice and can't find any clear instructions on how to temporarily disable the motion sensor. I know there has to be a way to turn it off so I can actually use my awning accessories without it constantly thinking something's wrong and pulling itself back in.

Does anyone know the exact steps to disable the motion sensor on the GG1000? I just need it off long enough to get my support poles and sunshade attached, then I'd like to turn it back on for normal operation. …more

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Electrical Medium 2-3 hours 99 👍 0

Fleetwood Jamboree Battery Not Charging on Shore Power Fix

Noticed my 2011 Fleetwood Jamboree 28Z is eating through my new 6-volt house batteries way faster than it should, even when plugged into shore power. When I first connected them, they showed a healthy 13.2 volts. However, I've noticed the voltage steadily declining over the past few days and it's now reading 12.2 volts. The concerning part is that when I plug into shore power, my multimeter shows absolutely no change in battery voltage - it stays at 12.2v whether plugged in or not. I'm trying to figure out if the charging is supposed to happen through the inverter/charger unit or if there's a separate converter that handles this. The batteries are definitely good since they're brand new, so I suspect something in the charging circuit has failed. Any guidance on troubleshooting this would be greatly appreciated. …more

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Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 95 👍 0

RV Window Water Leak Repair Guide - DIY Solutions

Between the excitement of buying our RV two months ago and our first Arizona rainstorm, I discovered the previous owner left every window leaking like a sieve. I discovered wet carpet around the passenger seat area that has a musty smell. The dampness is directly below our sliding window, and I can see some wallboard swelling at the bottom right corner of the window frame. What's puzzling me is that the exterior window seals look fine, and there's no visible water damage on the inside wall surface. Could this be water running down inside the window frame itself? I'm wondering if blocked window drains could cause this issue. We're on a tight budget - is this something I can tackle myself by re-caulking, or do I need professional help? I'd rather avoid dealer costs if possible. …more

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