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91

Technical Support / Re: Immediate starter engagement

« Last post by Eric Maclean Co-Admin on April 12, 2026, 10:32:34 PM »

Brian
In your original post you don't give the year or model and engine size of your coach which will make it difficult for anyone to give you an accurate description of where to look .
But with that said if we are talking about a Beaver Patriot your should find a primary start solenoid mounted at the left rear of the battery bay near the frame rail above the air tanks.
That solenoid is the primary start solenoid which sends the signal to the secondary solenoid mounted on the starter if it is stuck it will cause your problem.

Eric

92

Technical Support / Re: Immediate starter engagement

« Last post by Joel Ashley on April 12, 2026, 09:53:17 PM »

I had an issue with a starter that wouldn’t disengage on our Pace Arrow.  After several ruined starters, tows, and clueless repairmen, I dug in myself and discovered an old GM service bulletin about a bad solenoid from the factory.  Turns out it was hidden behind and mounted to a vertical steel angle iron support of the doghouse.  I was lucky to find it barely with my fingers (when all else fails, follow/feel the wires).  It was a secondary solenoid, not the main starter one, which added perplexion.

It could be you have a similar situation, with a solenoid between the dash ignition and starter that has points burned together or with no gap left.  Or perhaps a bad relay.  It no doubt is the cause of the overheating and failure of your last starter, and if not replaced will keep ruining starters.  Others here may have familiarity with your coach model and can assist, and there may be a wiring diagram “book” for it available in the Club’s Coach Assist section, although it may not be detailed enough to show everything you need.

Joel

93

Technical Support / Immediate starter engagement

« Last post by Brian Miller on April 12, 2026, 08:40:09 PM »

All,
I’m having an ignition/ starter ( stays engaged )issue with my 2000 Beaver Patriot.  Turned the ignition key to the first position and the starter immediately engaged.  Just had the starter replaced because the previous starter had immediate engagement and overheated and seized. I thought it was a solenoid issue that caused the issue however it’s the same issue with the new starter.
Need some ideas…

Thank you
Brian

94

Technical Support / Re: No Air Pressure??

« Last post by Roger Milne on April 11, 2026, 01:47:31 PM »

Thanks Eric, I was actually going to put it back together and run it so I can try and determine where the leak is. It was a "in the field" repair, so I knew it was leaking, but not exactly where. This link might actually help.

95

Technical Support / Re: No Air Pressure??

« Last post by Eric Maclean Co-Admin on April 11, 2026, 03:20:48 AM »

Roger
Here is the service sheet for the 1200 series wabco dryer it might help you determine where or what is leaking..

https://www.wabco-customercentre.com/catalog/docs/mm34_web.pdf

Eric

96

Technical Support / Re: No Air Pressure??

« Last post by Roger Milne on April 10, 2026, 11:25:19 PM »

Roger
Considering the age of your coach, I suspect your air dryer is a Wabco 1200 series.  Be aware that there are LOTS of generic after-market knock-offs of this dryer that sell very cheap ($50 to $100).  Some have had success with them, others have been disappointed.  The actual Wabco dryer is very expensive.  So, be forwarned when you are shopping.

That is a fascinating reply because I actually just got off the Webco webpage looking at one and yes it is a 1200 series and they run about 550 bucks and the same looking model I hadn’t looked at the exact part number but are on Amazon for about 80 to 100 bucks so very good to know thank you for the heads up

97

Technical Support / Re: Coolant temp gauge doesn't show any movement

« Last post by Roger Milne on April 10, 2026, 11:21:56 PM »

Roger
It sounds like it's time for new thermostats.
That would also account for the low gauge readings.
You might want to take your engine serial number and check with the Cat online parts menu to see exactly what temperature thermostat or ( regulator) in Cat terms that C9 should have in it .
If I'm not mistaken the thermostat on a C9 should be in the 180* to 190* temperature range .
Running the engine with faulty thermostats will prevent the engine from reaching proper operating temperature which contributes to poor fuel mileage and a greater possibility of wet stacking at idle not to mention poor cab heater performance in cold weather.

Hope this helps
Eric

Well I am learning a bunch about this rig and I really appreciate that info we are parked at an RV park for the next month or two while we search for a house I will do my due diligence and find me a shop that can service that and take care of that issue. good to know and I appreciate it

98

Technical Support / Re: Coolant temp gauge doesn't show any movement

« Last post by Eric Maclean Co-Admin on April 10, 2026, 10:20:14 PM »

Roger
It sounds like it's time for new thermostats.
That would also account for the low gauge readings.
You might want to take your engine serial number and check with the Cat online parts menu to see exactly what temperature thermostat or ( regulator) in Cat terms that C9 should have in it .
If I'm not mistaken the thermostat on a C9 should be in the 180* to 190* temperature range .
Running the engine with faulty thermostats will prevent the engine from reaching proper operating temperature which contributes to poor fuel mileage and a greater possibility of wet stacking at idle not to mention poor cab heater performance in cold weather.

Hope this helps
Eric

99

Technical Support / Re: No Air Pressure??

« Last post by Richard Davis on April 10, 2026, 05:03:59 PM »

Roger
Considering the age of your coach, I suspect your air dryer is a Wabco 1200 series.  Be aware that there are LOTS of generic after-market knock-offs of this dryer that sell very cheap ($50 to $100).  Some have had success with them, others have been disappointed.  The actual Wabco dryer is very expensive.  So, be forwarned when you are shopping.

100

Technical Support / Re: Coolant temp gauge doesn't show any movement

« Last post by Roger Milne on April 10, 2026, 01:36:22 PM »

So just a follow up on this in case it helps others.

So we just drove 2000 miles from AZ to SC. As I was a little skeptical of the gauge and it's accuracy, I was able to get in on the Aladdin system this RV has installed and actually has a sensor page much like modern cars have with temps and pressures from various components.

Thankfully this one had both Coolant and Transmission temps and the actual readings were exactly where I'd expect the temps to operate at under driving conditions.
What I will say is this. The CAT and Allison analog gauges work, but at slightly different values compared to the digital ones on the Aladdin. But they did show readings and the Allison more closely that the CAT.
The other thing I did notice is the CAT engine itself, seems to run very cool and it was only during extended hill climbs in the AZ and NM hills that it climbed to what I'd expect them to run normally. But even during continuous road driving they CAT ran about 130-150* digitally and about 1/4 the way off the peg to halfway on the analog.

This is my first experience driving a big diesel and this type of transmission and I can say it is really cool to just watch these rigs, just pull and pull, when going up hill. A very different experience from driving conventional vehicles where the RPM increases dramatically going up hills.

Can't wait to drive it more.