1980 35FC won't start via the ignition, please help

[Ralph L. Fullenwider]

Morning John:

Try switching the A/T switch in the center of the lower upper dash panel.

Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
84FC35
Ralph's RV Solutions, Duncan, Oklahoma


At 01:16 PM 5/17/2007 +0000, you wrote:
>The name showing is Adria, who is my fair and lovely bride. I
>hijacked her ID to ask for help and my name is John.
>
>I'm more of a lurker than anything else, and I HAVE used the search
>function and done some reading, but I still need some help very
>badly. Please help if you can.
>
>We have a 1980 35FC. The batteries are new and charged, but when you
>hit the key there is nothing going on. My hots and grounds are good
>at the starter, but not at the solenoid when the key is in the start
>position. I was able to start it by jumping the hot over to the
>solenoid and despite having just been sitting there for MONTHS, the
>ole sweetie fired right up and just purred like a sewing machine.
>
>So, I've since spoken with a few people who thought that it could be
>a neutral safety switch on the trans. Remembering my dad had a
>similar problem on an old motorhome he had, I used his method and
>ran the shifter back and forth about 30 times in a lazy man's
>attempt to gain a conection at said switch. Much to nobody's
>surprise, that did not help.
>
>I opened up the panel at nose of the bus (by my feet) and I see that
>there is the most wonderful rainbow of wiring I could have ever
>expected, and 3 or 4 solenoids down there as well. All those
>solenoids show to be hot on all posts except for the ones that are
>supposed to be ground.
>
>The scematic, although in greek, shows fuses and circuit breakers.
>I gather that the wiring in the nose is what it's referring to as
>the circuit breakers, but with the key on - every one of them shows
>hot as I would have expected, and I cannot for the LIFE of me locate
>a fuse panel for the chassis.
>
>As you know, there are a few fuses in the battery area, a few in the
>overhead area, and I can't find any others.
>
>So now that you know a little about what I have going on, I would
>GREATLY appreciate any and all advice you kind folks could offer.
>
>I'm told that there is a relay that comes BEFORE the starter
>solenoid, but I can't seem to locate it - or even if I was staring
>at it, I wouldn't know what it is. DO you know where it is and/or
>how to check it?
>
>Please don't laugh, but is there even a chassis fuse panel for me to
>check a starter fuse on - or is that about as "noob" as saying that
>I can't find the carburator under the hood? If there IS a fuse
>panel - where, in the name of all things holy, are they hiding the
>dang thing??!!
>
>I really need to get this baby going via the key ASAP. We have
>Memorial day reservations and I'd rather not have to hotwire it to
>go to and from - but if it's between that and telling the wife and
>kids that we aren't going camping, you know I'll be under there rain
>or shine.
>
>I'm sure that the end solution to this problem will most likely be
>laughable, but until then, I really need help and it doesn't seem
>very amusing just yet. Thanks in advance and I will try to reply
>ASAP with any return questions that you may have for me.
>
>Peace,
>John
>
>
>