Clearance Lights on rear of coach not working on 2003 Contessa

[William Harmon]

The (5) Clearance lights on rear of coach not working.  I have checked the center light and no voltage with headlights on coming to clearance light.  Wondering if the clearance lights are on a fuse as all 5 have failed.  Have not taken lens covers off as the are all silicon sealed on.  All input is appreciated.  Thanks William

2003 Beaver Contessa 40 ft.
370 hp Cummings ISL
3 slides

[Edward Buker]

William,

If none of the side marker and clearance lights work then the dash light switch could be at fault. From there, voltage would go to a relay and thermal breaker tied to one of the copper busses in the compartment below the drivers seat. There should be a diagram on the door leading you to the right one.

Some coaches with a smart wheel may involve a function to blink the clearance lights, but that would cause all the clearance lights not to work if it was at fault. I do not think a fuse is involved but surprises do happen.

If just the rear clearance lights are involved it is most likely a wiring issue. I would guess that one of the clearance lights on the end of the string is the chassis wire feed connection point. You could pull the end lights and check the connections for ground and 12V.

If you cannot make headway you could call BCS in Bend and see if they have any insight into where the connections are made and a possible problem source. If the source of the problem cannot be found you may be able to fish a wire from the tail light wiring to the clearance lights to supply an alternative power source. Hope this helps.

Later Ed

[William Harmon]

My coach has a Smart Wheel and with headlights off, pressing the switch causes the the side marker and tail lights to illuminate but not the 5 clearance lights on rear to illuminate.  I have owned this coach since Oct. 2015 and I am pretty sure all lights were working at time of purchase.  Thanks for your input.  WH

[Gerald Farris]

William,
My guess would be an open circuit where the clearance lights splice into the tail light circuit, but I have no idea where that splice is located. Like Ed stated in an earlier post, a call to Ken Carpenter or Sean Lakin at BCS (Beaver Coach Sales) may provide some useful information, but most likely this is not a common problem and you will just have to trace the circuit. A tone generator/wire tracer attached to the clearance light wiring at the rear of the coach may be your best option in tracing the circuit.

Gerald 

[William Harmon]

Thanks Gerald & Ed for the help .  I will try to call BCS today.  WH

[Steve Huber]

William,
While I can't be sure, I'd bet that the splice that Gerald is referring to is at the tail lights. Check on both sides for a wire(s) running up from the tail light assemblies. That is probably your clearance light wire(s).
Steve

[William Harmon]

Great tip!!!!!!!  You and Jerald were right on the money.  I pulled the right tail light assembly and found an open splice in one of the 2 wires leading to the Clearance lights.  Put new connectors on both wires and now all 5 Clearance lights are working, also getting 12 volt power for new camera from center Clearance light.  Two problems solved. Thanks to all whom offered suggestions.
William