Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Gulf Stream Owners RV Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-11-2017, 09:07 PM   #1
bhplumber
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 60
Default SN 6331 cranks but doesn't start sometimes

On the trip home from Texas to South Dakota after purchasing the motorhome we had one time the RV would crank but didn't want to pop off. Then it never did it again. I've only owned the RV a couple months but I start it regularly. We did a weekend trip this weekend and went to start it Sunday morning and it would just crank. I tried it a few times, it had plenty of smoke coming out the tailpipe so I'm thinking it's getting fuel. I let it set for about 15 min and after a couple trys it finally popped off. The outside temp was about 60 degrees out and I did try cycling the glow plugs multiple times. The oil pressure gauge on the dash would come up above 60psi right away. Both times it happened it cranks plenty fast, the batteries are good a the starter isn't dragging. Any ideas??. I have a trip planned later this month but have to figure this out before I take it to far from home.
bhplumber is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2017, 11:14 PM   #2
SlimTim
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland
Posts: 146
Default Re: SN 6331 cranks but doesn't start sometimes

Hey bhplumber,

I had a crank but no start issue with my 6400 and the issue ended up being a bad relay. The engine would start sometimes and run for a bit but ultimately it would not start at all. If I recall the relay was for the injector control module or the ecm. I purchased a new relay from International and then later found out you can get them from your local auto parts store.

If you open the hood and look on the drivers side up high by the firewall you will see a black plastic box with a bunch of wires going into it. Take the lid off of the box and you will be looking at a bunch of relays. The relays pull straight out and if I recall you can see what each relay does by flipping over the lid and looking at the included drawing. If you don't have the drawing just pull each relay out and visually inspect it. The relay I replaced had obviously gotten hot and melted the plastic. This must have happened before on my SN because when I was looking for something else I found 3 or 4 spare relays the prior owner had purchased.

This may not be what's wrong with yours but its easy to check.
SlimTim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2017, 09:51 AM   #3
bhplumber
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 60
Default Re: SN 6331 cranks but doesn't start sometimes

Thanks Slim,

I checked the relays this morning and there is no sign of heat on them. My RV always runs good and has never quite running. I called a local mechanic today so I'll drop it off with him and just have to see what he says.
bhplumber is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2017, 09:48 PM   #4
xtream1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 9
Default Re: SN 6331 cranks but doesn't start sometimes

I had the same issue quite a while ago on my 6331. After quite a bit of research (and a mobile mechanic who knew where to look), I found out that it was in the wiring harness coming from the battery (I don't have the passenger fuel tank and my batteries are under that cover). There is a wiring harness coming from your battery pack to the ECM relay (as stated by SlimTim). At the battery area there is a harness splice connector. open it up and look inside...mine had 1 set of terminals that were charred. I cut out the harness splice connector (3 wires) and connected them straight together (keeping each wire separate). Then taped the connections to make them water tight. No more problems in about 6 years.

So, same harness, multiple points to look.

Next time it happens, carefully listen to hear if the engine system cycles (I don't know what is cycling but it didn't do it the times my motor wouldn't start). The dashboard will light up regardless.

Good luck and let us know. Apparently the Ford 650s have the same problems.
xtream1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2017, 02:17 PM   #5
bhplumber
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 60
Default Re: SN 6331 cranks but doesn't start sometimes

Thanks for the reply guys. Mine has 2 sealed plug ins coming off the batteries that I inspected and they? both look good inside and out. It also has a 10 amp and a 40 amp fuse coming off the batteries which are like new as well. I was really hoping it was something this simple but it looks like it will have to go to the shop. Please keep the suggestions coming. Thanks again
bhplumber is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2017, 08:59 AM   #6
bhplumber
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 60
Default

5 minutes at the shop and he had found the problem. It was the glow plug relay (ford starter solenoid) on the passenger side valve cover. One of the posts was burnt and loose. He installed a taller heavy duty replacement that he said should hold up better. Now on to the next issue, house batteries going dead.
bhplumber is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2017, 10:49 AM   #7
SlimTim
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland
Posts: 146
Default

Hello bhplumber

I think, I have attached a GS drawing of the 12 Volt distribution system. This may not be exactly the same as your system but its probably similar. One or more of the forum members pulled this and other drawings from the GS website, but I am not sure you can get them from the GS website any longer.

Good Luck
Attached Files
File Type: pdf CE1461 Diagram 12V Distribution.pdf (132.4 KB, 12 views)
SlimTim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2017, 07:02 PM   #8
bhplumber
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 60
Default

I decided to look at the basics and sure enough both house batteries were bone dry on water. I didn't realize the SN charging system was always on and doesn't turn off when the batteries are fully charged. At least that's what I read on here somewhere. I'm assuming this would cause the batteries to need water added more often the my old coach. I only had to check them at the beginning of the season. With any luck the batteries will come back to life. They look to be fairly new Interstate brand but the install date codes stickers were not pulled out so no real way of knowing how old they are.
bhplumber is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
SN 6331 questions bhplumber Class C 6 08-22-2017 10:42 PM
08 Luxury Red 6331 SN bhplumber Class C 0 04-09-2017 11:25 AM
WTB SN 6331 bhplumber Buy / Sell / Trade 0 03-10-2017 02:20 PM
Engine running doesn't charge coach batteries walkervalj Electrical 2 09-06-2014 03:00 PM
Refrigerator doesn't keep cold on gas. ULL7ofM Class A 1 08-31-2010 11:24 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:15 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×