'95 34' motorhome -- starting problem

[auxier61]

My motorhome has the 454 chevy engine...when trying to start it, the dash lights come on, but immediately trip something and whole system goes dead..there is a click noise, but have been unable to locate...any thoughts..thankx..

[masseyfarm]

If you have a solar panel it will run the dash lights with a dead battery?
Have you got good battery connections?

Dave

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by auxier61

My motorhome has the 454 chevy engine...when trying to start it, the dash lights come on, but immediately trip something and whole system goes dead..there is a click noise, but have been unable to locate...any thoughts..thankx..

The dashboard lights use a lot less power than the starter. Your dead battery could have enough power to light the dash, but not enough to start. When you turn the key all the way to "start" the dashboard lights might go off because they "brown out" due to the extra draw from the starter.

The clicking noise is probably the starter solenoid (AKA the Bendix). That's the electromagnet that causes the starter gear to engage the teeth around the edge of the flywheel.

So, either a dead battery, or bad battery terminal connections.

[andreasduess]

Sounds like a bad battery indeed. The second the starter starts drawing power, everything else goes dark.

[LJH]

Make sure that you check your battery and starter connections for tightness and be sure they are clean.