Electrical shutdown on highway

[Jose Rita]

So my headaches continue.  While traveling on 40 thru Knoxville I had a flickering dash lights and complete engine shutdown.  I was able to pull it off to a breakdown lane and after about 5 minutes with no ignition it started back up. Went down the road about a mile, hit a nasty bump that I didn’t see and shut down again. Same thing started after 5-10 minutes.
The conditions were that it was night time, raining and hot. So, headlights were on windshield wipers on and the overhead fan on to assist airflow from the house AC unit.  The voltage dial on the dash read just slightly over 12.

We made it back home to MA without using the overhead fan and traveling only during daylight.   It is going into the shop in a couple of weeks; shop closed on vacation.  I have tried to recreate it and it does shutdown sometimes.  When it shutdowns down I first notice that the voltage dash dial starts to drop voltage while the digital (silverleaf ?) shows 14.4.  Dash lights flicker engine shuts down.  Funny is that once shut down, dash lights are on, parking lights are on and the hazard flashers work. I have checked the obvious, the battery connections and any other loose connections.  Any guidance would be appreciated.

[Steve Huber]

Jose,
It could be the large solenoid in the front electrical bay that feeds the 2 buss bars that contain the various circuit breakers. As you look at it, the large wire coming off the left terminal powers the functions you say stay on  during a shutdown The wire coming off the right side powers engine functions. The solenoid could be bad but since it drops out when hitting a bump, I'd check for loose connections on the 2 wires mentined and the 2 small wires attached at the front of the solenoid.
The large terminal on the left side has battery voltage on it at all times. The rignt side terminal will have voltage when the ignition is on. The small wire attached to the left terminal on the front of the unit is the ignition signal that activates the solenoid.
Another possibility is a bad ignition switch. If that's the case you will have no voltage on the small left solenoid terminal when the engine shuts down. You might try wiggling the ignition key when the engine is running to see if that kills it.
The layout diagram is on pages 35-36 of the 2002 Patriot wiring diagrams in Coach Assist.
Steve

[Jose Rita]

Steve you are the man…if we should ever meet I owe a drink of your choice.  With your information I checked the solenoid.  As you said power on the battery power on the left side and with key on power on the little wire.  I ran the engine wiggle the key with no effect. I then kept trying until I had a no start condition.  Tested the solenoid, it had voltage to the little wire.  I then tapped the top of the solenoid and I could here the ignition cycle. This may, fingers crossed, be it.  Is rhis something that I can get at a auto parts store?

[David T. Richelderfer]

This is a good read......

https://beaveramb.org/forum/index.php/topic,11645.msg78111.html#msg78111

[Jose Rita]

Yes thank you.  Sounded like what is going on with mine.  I ordered one from NAPA, may have to keep a spare as well. After tapping it I cant recreate the problem.

[David T. Richelderfer]

Jose - As noted in the thread to which I directed you, there is a diode on the face of the solenoid. They are cheap - got mine at Radio Shack - but it's important to install that diode in the proper direction, as seen in Joel's photo.  Many here on this Forum recommend getting the solid-state solenoid to replace the mechanical Cole-Hersee solenoid.  It costs substantially more but, I guess, lasts indefinitely.

[Jose Rita]

Yes thank you.  I needed something quick to get it road ready.  Now I can make my appointment to get the thrust angle corrected.  I will look at the solid state solenoids.

[Fred Brooks]

  In case you haven't purchased one yet, this is what you are looking for.

[Jose Rita]

Thank you.  I was able to get one from Napa, 85 amp cont duty.  I will as has been suggested look into a solid state relay.