Steering Column Cover removal

[Roger Milne]

Been a while due to work schedules and holidays etc.

But wanted to update the problem with no Lo Beam ( blows fuse#69 ) when plugged in to circuit.

So we have continuity through the steering column Dimmer switch and can cycle Hi to Lo beam and get continuity to terminal connectors at base of steering column. So I'm taking the dimmer switch out of the equation as it seems to work as intended.
I just tested R-11 relay and its functioning as intended.

I'm now getting a little confused as to the circuitry as it appears to be running in parallel with a sub-circuit being powered by the VIP switch on the steering wheel?
Looking at the schematics, I see pin 87 is open and 87a is closed and feeding the dimmer switch. Only when the the VIP switch is pressed does the power switch across the 87 and 87a pins. But the Hi and Lo beam are still only activated using the dimmer switch.

So am I making this too complicated? I need to figure out how to test circuit continuity from VCB 11 to the headlight connector but it looks like it's not a hot circuit unless the VIP switch AND the Dimmer switch are in agreement.

I still have an open circuit due to me pulling apart the terminal connector at the steering column so I don't blow fuse #69, but is the circuitry from the dimmer switch going to R-11 relay first or VCB connector.??

I'm wondering if I pull the VCB connector out and select Lo beam if it will blow the fuse or not. At least them I'm getting further downstream to where I may have a short?

Thanks for the help.

[Steve Huber]

Roger,
Look at the headlight diagram. There are 2 circuits that feed the high and low beam headlights. One is through the dimmer switch. so what you are describing is normal. The other circuit is from the VIP wheel. It controls R10 which also feeds the headlights. So it sounds like your issue may be nearer the headlights because what you described seems normal.
It's dwg 38085026.
Steve

[Roger Milne]

Thanks Steve.
I’m actually heading back to work for a few days Thur so won’t get to it until next week. I have a quick question regarding the VC connectors and the main circuit boards. Am I correct to assume that the plug connectors are coming from downstream ie they are coming from the end of the circuit component and the circuit board side of things is going upstream to the switching and power sources?? I’m guessing if I want to check continuity from the terminal connectors at the base of the steering column I would check from there to the pins on the circuit board and then check from the connector to the headlight connector?
Thanks. Again for your continued advice.

[Steve Huber]

Roger,
Source and destination of VC connections vary. They are shown in the 07 & 08 Contessa Wiring diagrams in Coach Assist. The Front Elec Bay PCB Conn Pinouts (Vehicle Cabin - CB Connector Pin-Out) shows where each pin on each PCB connects to. The 07 Contessa Specific Front Elec Bay PCB Block Diagram shows a schematic diagram of each VC connector so you can see both input and output.
Steve

[Roger Milne]

Hey Steve,

Spent some time going back and forth over all the schematics.

So, I've pretty much dialed in on the 2 possible sources of issue, but wanted get your input and then when I get home next week I can actually do continuity checks through the points on the circuitry.

I need to know about this DRLM module. It's at the end of the low beam circuit and feeds back to appropriate fuses, but what does this look like on the original RV. (as I stated in an earlier post the PO did some crazy wiring for a light bar) BUT I have a DRLM connector hanging in the forward bay area. So I can eliminate the circuitry would the original DRLM module have been something it plugged into on the headlamp unit and fed both headlights or a module attached to the firewall feeding the headlights. From what I can see in the schematic as long as its unplugged from the Lo Beam circuits it shouldn't interfere with normal ops'. But I just want to put that circuit to rest.

The most glaring issue is the F#69 fuse circuit. It feeds to R11 then to VCE1 which states it goes to HR1-30 Hi/Lo switch. I can check the continuity for the F69 to R11 to VCE1 easy enough BUT this Hi/Lo switch HR1-30 What and where is this?? Is this the "Dimmer Switch" on the steering column or something else.

I think if I can trace this circuit back to the HR1-30 switch I may have my problem narrowed down.

Thaks for the help.

[Steve Huber]

Roger,
Your coach is apparently a late year model as the 08 connector tables show the VCE-1 to HR1-30 connection that the 07 tables don't. But the 08 wiring diagrams don't. (Thx Monaco!). In any case F69 should be between pin 30 of the headlight relay R11 and the common pin of the dimmer switch (one controlled by the stalk on the steering column). Since F69 blows when you select low beam with the dimmer switch, the problem is between the low beam switch connection and the headlights. You stated the original DRLM connector is just hanging and not connected. I would disconnect the replacement connector to see of that resolves the F69 issue. Removal of the DRLM should not impact the headlight functions.
If F69 still blows I would start by unplugging the headlight connectors at the headlights and verify the fuse still blows when low beam is selected. If not the problem is at the headlights. If it does blow, leave the headlights disconnected and verify the wiring from VCB-11 to VCC-2 to the headlight connector. If no short is found the only other possible source is the VCB-11 to NAV-9 (GPS connector, pin 9). It's a 9 pin connector that should be in the front bay. Disconnect it to see if that solves the fuse blowing issue.
As far as the DRLM, as I noted its not needed for the headlights to work. If the original (factory) connector is disconnected, you may want to reconnect it. But fix the fuse issue first.
Steve

[Roger Milne]

OK Steve that sounds good yeah unfortunately I won’t be able to get to that till next week.
Just for clarification this DRLM module isn’t something that I think is in the forward bay as I previously stated in a post the PO has put in aftermarket headlight units that are not the originals I do have them disconnected from the wiring harness to eliminate any potential issues they might be causing.
I will definitely have to do a little bit more investigation on this other option you stated regarding where the F 69 fuse goes to this GPS pin.

[Steve Huber]

Roger,
The wiring diagram indicates the DLRM module is part of the Front Cap harness, indicating it in the front cap or possible in the front elec bay. I would find it and disconnect it before any other troubleshooting since the PO added/modified it.
Steve