Bigfoot 3000 running lights are out

[dresslered]

Hello all,



It seems that every time I get ready to take the camper out, I realize a new problem has developed. I purposely check all the appliances for proper operation throughout the year in an attempt to minimize these surprises, but as usual, something always comes up right before we leave. I loaded it up on the truck earlier this week and plugged in the main connection. Everything appeared good until I turned on the headlights. When I do this, I noticed that the Bigfoot running lights (Christmas tree lights sprinkled around the entire perimeter of the camper and on the rear bumper) do not come on. All other lights (backup, turn, brake, etc. ) seem to work perfectly. I measured the voltage through my main cable and I am getting voltage there. I also checked all the fuses and breakers to be good. My guess is that it is either an open at a common ground or power connector due to some corrosion or a loose terminal. Or, could there be a hidden fuse somewhere within the camper. Has anyone ever experienced this with their camper? I have yet to locate a hidden terminal block or hidden fuse for these. I don't plan any night driving for this short trip tomorrow, but would like to get this resolved. I would sure kill for a wiring diagram for this thing. TIA

 

[B.G. Smith]

Check fuse #8 in the PDC under the hood, it should be in the second row from the front side of PDC, the trailer relay should be the one in the corner on the drivers side nearest the firewall. bg

 

[dresslered]

Thanks for the reply and I wish it were that easy. I have the proper power coming out of the Umbilical cord from the truck. It appears that the camper connection contains the open. I'm wondering if there is a hidden fuse somewhere within the cabin interior.

 

[Kingsbury]

In my 40 years of RVing, the problem with lights are ground, ground, grounds. Check your ground to the lights and clean. Good luck, I bet 80% or more lighting problems are ground related. Paul

 

[Bill Stockard]

I'm wondering if there is a hidden fuse somewhere within the cabin interior.

I have no experience with a Bigfoot, only Lance campers. In the Lances I've owned, there is a fuse panel in the lower kitchen cabinet that has fuses for the running lights, brake lights, turn signals, etc. where the camper end of the umbilical cord connects inside the camper.



Bill

 

[dresslered]

Thanks for the replies. I agree totally with Kingsbury that most problems with the electrics are due to grounding. I also am going to look for those fuses that Bill suggested as I know that they have to be there (somewhere). I found my problem the night before we left and it was the main input connector to the camper. The Umbilical cord read all the correct voltages and I had assumed that they made it into the camper as well, but one of the blades was slightly bent on the socket side so that no contact was made for the running lights. After a quick realignment (bending) everything was back to normal. Campout went great except for the usual problem of being too short. Thanks again,

David