Coach battery switch Roadtrek 170 1997

[RT1997]

The battery disconnect switch stuck in "on" position.I recently put a new Lifeline coach battery and replaced the switch.The problem remains.
I am not a technical person.My friend who replaced the switch suggested it is some relay or fuse.But there is nothing related to coach battery in fuse box or relay box under the hood.
I found Winton's wiring on this forum but it is for 1996 and 98 RT 170.Somehow 1997 is different.
Please help!

 

[GeorgeRad]

The battery disconnect switch stuck in "on" position.I recently put a new Lifeline coach battery and replaced the switch.The problem remains.
I am not a technical person.My friend who replaced the switch suggested it is some relay or fuse.But there is nothing related to coach battery in fuse box or relay box under the hood.
I found Winton's wiring on this forum but it is for 1996 and 98 RT 170.Somehow 1997 is different.
Please help!

Can you share more details about your switch, is it perhaps Intellitec?

 

[RT1997]

It is a simple momentary or rocker switch, 6 pin.
Looks like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Baomain-Mome...lastic/dp/B01FA9UNMA/ref=rtpb_4/142-1244090-3

 

[hbn7hj]

That is a switch that controls a solenoid like the Intellitec latching solenoid. You need to look for it.

You will find it in the compartment behind the power panel that contains the fuses.

 

[GeorgeRad]

I had this problem with Intellitec relay, it got stuck closed. I replaced the Intellitec unit but fixed the old one for a spare. Copper contacts were contaminated with some kind of gooey substance from decomposed grease with copper oxide not allowing separation. It is very easy to clean these contacts. I didn’t use any grease, just remove copper oxide.

An equivalent BlueSea battery disconnect has silver coated contacts so replacing Intellitec with BlueSea unit could be a good route as well. https://www.bluesea.com/products/category/13/60/Remote_Battery_Switches/ML-Remote_Battery_Switches

 

[RT1997]

Thank you all for replies.I found some black box with wires going into it behind glove compartment.I can not open it but my friend is going to look into it.I will post the result.Hopefully in a few days.

The first attachment shows the. box under glove compartment, the second is fuse box next to glove compartment.

 

[hbn7hj]

Doesn’t look like any battery disconnect circuitry I’ve ever seen.
Follow the wires from the double pole double throw rocker swotch.

 

[RT1997]

Ok.I found the electric box.It was under the bed on the side where TV cabinet is.
There is no relay there.Only circuit brakers and fuses not related to battery switch.I tried to flip main power and battery charger circuit braker- no luck.
I even bent the little vent compartment underneath but it does nor look like any relay.
My friend will take a look at this on Monday but meanwhile
please help locate that relay.Intellitec or not.
Please!!

 

[hbn7hj]

Follow the heavy red wire in the bottom picture. It should go to the battery disconnect relay which is probably behind the power panel. Maybe 12 inches or more away from the fuse board. Clear?

 

[RT1997]

Thank you so much!

 

[brad.leonard]

simmilar disconnect switch problem

Greetings, I recently had a similar issue with my 2008 Roadtrek SS Agile. Battery disconnect switch stuck on; replaced coach batteries; replaced switch (did not solve issue);disconnected batteries for winter storage and the following spring after hooking up coach batteries,everything worked as normal...for a week or so.

Then same issue with disconnect switch. Got the problem looked at by certified Roadtrek service people and the problem turned out to be dead power inverter (in my Roadtrek, it is under the front drivers seat).

 

[RT1997]

Posting the outcome.
My friend was able to open only the fuses panel.To remove more required to dissemble the bed area which was not an option at the moment.
He was able to see about 9 inches further.No relay seen.
So he decided to install external battery disconnect switch for now (Blue Sea brand).
Eventually I still would like to replace the relay.
The most upsetting thing is to know that I most likely damaged that relay myself.I forced the switch to be in on position to run the fan when the battery was very low .
I don't think anything else broke down on its own.My RT has only 32k original miles .Never seen snow in his life )):

 

[GeorgeRad]

If I would be in your friend's/your’s situation, I would most likely resolve this battery disconnect issue first before jumping with replacement.

If you have an Intellitec relay it could get stuck for one of 2 reasons:

1. Gooey substance prevents contact separation, if this is the case there could be resistance which can cause overheating.

2. The disconnect fuse at the relays is blown/open.
See the picture of fuses in may electrical cabinet and attached file more info.

 

[hbn7hj]

If I would be in your friend's/your’s situation, I would most likely resolve this battery disconnect issue first before jumping with replacement.

I agree with GeorgeRa. Fix it! Whatever it takes.

 

[Knit]

Usually the relay is near the battery converter/charger in most Roadtreks. Perhaps this was upgraded as part of your battery update. Where is your converter?

 

[RT1997]

I am not sure about the location.And I did not make any upgrades.All original.

 

[Hammernine]

In my 2003 Road Trek 200 there is a solenoid next to the breaker panel. (Under the couch in the back there is a hinged board) This is controlled by the switch and you can hear it click when the switch is turned off or on. This could be the culprit. The wiring is simple, two small connectors for the switch, two large connectors for the positive and negative battery connections. If it is not clicking then the solenoid could be bad.