Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

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Topic: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

Posted By: fierystorm on 05/31/12 03:51pm

Hey everyone! Been too long since I have posted anything. I did get that nice RV that I wanted (I need to do some photos)!

This is what it is:

Make DODGE (Sportsman)
Model B300
Submodel BASE
Engine Type V8
Liter 7.2
CID 440
Engine Size 7.2L/440
Beginning Year 1975
Ending Year 1978
Engine Family Mopar big block RB

I've been fortunate that it is in very good shape and I've been working on it slowly to where I can take some trips with my fiance. But, as always, there are a few bugs to work out.

Okay, I have a bit of an electrical issue that is stumping the heck out of me that perhaps one of you generous and well seasoned RV individuals could maybe help me out with. [emoticon]

Here it is - my main dashboard gauges for oil temp, engine temp and fuel (just to state, I do have appx. half a tank of fuel currently) are not working. Alt gauge responds just fine, like it should since it doesn't need a limiter, naturally. My oil temp gauge seems locked on 40. Engine gauge doesn't respond at all.

Now, automatically I'm sure all of you would have the same thought I did - it's either a bad ground or, more than likely, the dashboard limiter.

So I do some research, talked to the guys at NAPA, found the correct dashboard limiter, ordered it, stuck it in and kept my fingers crossed.

And I thought the original problem was annoying... Here's what came next:

After installing the new part, connecting the battery and turning my engine on, something, well... really weird happened. My oil temp gauge immediately shot straight up to maximum. My engine gauge slowly, over the course of 35 to 40 seconds did the same. No change to my fuel gauge in any way. [emoticon]

Scratching my head I wondered if either myself or one of the friendly folks at NAPA made a mistake on the limiter. However, it is apparently the only one that would fit my system.#ECH IR9

So on a whim I did something - I put the old voltage limiter back into the dashboard. I reconnect everything. Turn my engine on. And wouldn't you know it... something odd happens.

My oil gauge immediately jumped to 40. My engine gauge moved to just a little past 20, then stayed there even though my engine was on for a while. No change in the fuel gauge.

Although I know that my fuses under my dashboard have nothing to do with the gauges other than lighting I still decided to go ahead and, despite all of them being fine, changed them all with fresh, shiny new fuses.

So any thoughts? I've been thumbing through my service manuals but I'm not seeing where the problem could be. I'm usually a fair hand at anything electrical, but AC stuff, not DC. I'd really appreciate any help on this matter because oii, I'm lost! [emoticon]

Thanks all!! And it's great to get to be a part of this thread!

~Fiery
Aka Mike

Posted By: TreeSeeker on 05/31/12 05:04pm

Fierystorm,

Did you ever check the grounds (including the battery ground)?

What is the voltage across the battery when the engine is running?

What is the voltage from the dash voltage regulator?

You refer to the "oil temp" gauge. Did you mean oil pressure? Mine only has an oil pressure gauge.

You also refer to the "engine gauge." Did you mean water temp gauge?

My Dodge '79 has four gauges, fuel, water temp, amps, and oil pressure.

Have you checked the voltage at each gauge?

Have you checked all the fuses?

* This post was edited 06/01/12 07:37am by TreeSeeker *

Posted By: stevegriffith22 on 05/31/12 10:08pm

Brother...

I'm chasing a elctrical issue too. I too have checked with a couple of mechanics with the ski area and the head mechanic for 30 years at the county (runs all the buses for seattle) they all sent me to brad at napa in north bend wa 425 8881112. He is chasing a demond with me as well. He has made some amazing fixes.

My issue is that although I get constant 9-12 amps at the coil, my coil wire doesn't always send power to the distributor. I know about cap, roters, pic ups ect. but call brad.

sg

Posted By: Jer&Ger on 06/01/12 11:48am

Here's a link to pics of our "new to us" RV: here

Jerry & Gerry, our pets (dogs), Byron, Coco
1976 Monaco, 440 ci. Dodge Sportsman chassis

Posted By: Leeann on 06/01/12 02:40pm

Dang, Jer - that's worth it for the 6.0 KW Onan, the larger fridge, the AC and the TV antenna!

'73 Concord 20' Class A w/Dodge 440 - see profile for photo

Posted By: Leeann on 06/02/12 09:18pm

Sam was up on the roof today, cleaning up an ant infestation and putting a new tarp on top. And put his foot through one of the roof vents...sigh.

So I just bought 3 on eBay, each with a 12v fan. Two white, one smoke. Not a bad price, either. So airflow will be improved when we're not running the AC.

Posted By: Trish Davis on 06/03/12 01:01pm

You did real good.

Mirrors and door knobs and drawer slides and vents and steps and and ...

Jer&Ger wrote:

Here's a link to pics of our "new to us" RV: here

Posted By: Trish Davis on 06/03/12 01:04pm

Huh, sounds like something I'd do.
Keep the old hinges & hardware. Trust me.

Leeann wrote:

Sam was up on the roof today, cleaning up an ant infestation and putting a new tarp on top.
And put his foot through one of the roof vents...sigh.

Posted By: gdhillard on 06/03/12 07:35pm

Just made our third trip from Albuquerque to Virginia with the 1973 Dodge Executive. Last two trips used the Dodge to tow a 4 thousand pound trailer as we make the move. Solid 8 mpg, no overheating or mechanical issues at all. Best $1200 I ever spent.

Posted By: Jer&Ger on 06/03/12 07:42pm

Thanks Leeann & Trish, but I think I'm going to fix the water damage on the new one and sell the Dodge. The new one is in soooo much better mechanical condition as far as the drive train and chassis, the coach part is really an easy fix. As much as I liked the Dodge as it has been my first one, I'm just getting tired of working on it all the time. I'd like to be able to just enjoy one for a while. I've had so many surgeries now, my body is telling me to slow down. So unless I find something really wrong with the new one, I think that's going to be what I do. I'll keep in touch here as I've learned so much from all the contributions that have been made. Thanks to all, Jerry

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