rjhorton
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Joined: 09/12/2002
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HOpe someone out there can help us. We were planning on leaving today for the 4th, motorhome all packed and I was standing outside of the storage building watching for my husband to back out, all I could hear was a clicking sound, the MH wouldn't start. We live about 35 miles from our dealer and one of the shop guys (bless his heart) brought 2 new batteries and installed them, now we don't even have a clicking sound. Does anyone have any idea or had the problem that can give us a insight. The mechanic is coming back tomorrow to work on it at our home otherwise we are going to have the wrecker come and pick it up and take it someplace to be fixed. We called Cat and freightliner and they both said the batteries. It is a 2002 39 ft Journey. We have had no problems with it till today. Thanks for input.
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itsalleasy
USA
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Joined: 07/20/2007
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Not all new batteries are good or fully charged.
If they are and all he did was remove and install new batteries I would look at the cables and ends. Make sure both ends of all cables are clean and tight.
Will the generator start? Did you try the switch to start it off the house batteries?
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horizon451
Henderson, NV
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Joined: 02/19/2006
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It sounds like batteries. Do you have a voltmeter? Measure across the terminals to see what you have. 12.0 is 50% discharged, 12.7 volts is fully charged. Also, with the volt meter connected to the engine batts have someone try to start the engine. Look for a voltage drop to see how low it goes. It could be that the replacements are not fully charged and you don't have enough power to turn it over. If you have jumper cables use those between your car and the coach & see if you get it to start then.
Have you tried the emerg start switch on the upper left side of the dash? Any effect when you try it? You may also want to recheck the connections on the batteries and also follow the black/ground wire from the battery pack to where it connects to the block or frame and disconnect, clean and reconnect it.
Post your results please.
'02 Itasca Horizon 36LD
'02 Jeep GC toad
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escaper1
Centerville,Ohio,USA
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Joined: 11/16/2003
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Batteries or cables The new batteries may not have enough charge and did he turn off the disconect and forget to turn it back on just a thought.
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kenbert
Long Island,NY
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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When the mechanic hooked up the batteries make sure the extra ground wires that go to the post were reconnected. I had the same problem and forgot to hook up extra ground wire to battery.
Ken
95 Georgie boy Encounter 37ft 5.9 cummins DP
Saturn SC2
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Tinstar
McKinney, TX
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Joined: 09/13/2003
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I agree, not enough charge in the new batteries or a corroded cable. Maybe clean out the inside of the cables and make sure all wires were hooked up. If still no-go I would check the negative cable and make sure you are getting a good ground.
Typically if it clicks with the old batteries, that indicates a insufficient charge. No clicking indicated even less charge.
 Never pass up a chance to go somewhere
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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Joined: 07/28/2006
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Everyone is saying the same thing, but as the owner of your Journey's twin, the batteries, even if charged will run down to the point of no crank in about 3 weeks. Start the generator, look at the panel to make sure the house batteries are charged up (if not,charge them for an hour). At this point, use the Aux Start switch on the dash. IF the batteries are really as weak as you say, hold the switch down for several minutes to swamp the starting batteries so you don't drop the entire load of the starter across the buss contactor.
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
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boulderado
Colorado
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Joined: 02/11/2004
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I don't agree with the statement that your batteries will run down in three weeks if not started. We have left ours parked outside for at least three months in the winter without starting it and it started right up when we went to check on it after it being snowed in.
When was the last time it was started?
Knut and Susan FMCA-351422
Currently looking for new rig, maybe a short bus
'08 Jeep Liberty 6-speed w/Blue Ox Aventa II
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stevelv
FullTimers at Last!
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Joined: 05/24/2006
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Start the generator and leave it running for 10 minutes and then try again
If it is batteries then that will juice them up.
Otherwise it's a solenoid gone bad - probably on the starter - hit it with a mallet whilst trying to start it.
RV Park Finder
Fulltimers
2002 Beaver Santiam 38DST + Banks + 99 Jeep GC
DH,DW,Jake and Indie
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Diplomat Don
Moorpark, Ca
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Joined: 04/09/2005
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rjhorton....This may be a stupid question, but did they turn off your main battery switches while changing batteries. I'm not sure about the Winnies....but a lot of coaches have mechanical battery shutoffs in the battery bay.....big red knobs.
Don & Mary 
2005 Monaco Diplomat 36SKT
400 Cummins 
2007 Dodge Dakota 4WD
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