Joe Lee

Hi Jim - did you get your adjustable pedals working? I’m in a ‘new to me’ 2002 Windsor. My pedals are extended all the way front. I need them a bit closer for comfort. Did you find a solution? I did follow Dr4Film’s advise on checking the fuse. Sadly, it was good. I also found this strange push button switch lying close to the firewall. Does anyone have an idea what this could be? Hoping it has something to do with the adjustable pedals. Joe

Another update: My insurance company and the tow company settled for $20,000. That makes me think that the work really didn’t warrant the $35,000 noted on the initial invoice. Also, I contacted an NC State Senator. Her office put me in contact with Captain over Field Operations/Tow Rotation Services. The Captain did an investigation, but initially said the tow bill sounded ‘outrageous’. A week later, he called me back. Basically, he said that even through I wasn’t allowed to use my tow insurance and the NC State Highway Patrol required me to use his tow company assigned by a rotation process, the State doesn’t control the pricing and there was nothing he could do. In the Highway Patrol’s defense, the Trooper believed his service could clear the road faster. I can’t say he was accurate, but the Trooper needed to clear the road and did what he thought was best. Bottom Line: I lost my coach over this process. The tow company held my coach hostage while the lawyers negotiated my coach’s release. I couldn’t find a company to go to this tow company to get me an estimate for repairs. So, I decided it was too much risk and expense to keep it and have it towed again. All this said - My coach could still be driven! I lost much of the fiberglass on the front, but there was no damage to the ‘drivability’ of the coach. I did move it about 15 feet after the impact. But, the Trooper had all the control and I was at his mercy. The good news is that now I’m in a 2002 Monaco Windsor and I’m really happy with it! Next step is I’m going to go to the Attorney General as recommended by Brian Browne. But, overall, I don’t believe anyone at the State level cares. Well, maybe they care, but I will be shocked if anyone takes action. Be safe out there! Joe

Quick Update on my $35,000 tow. I asked my State Senator for help. Now, the State Highway Patrol is investigating as well as Progressive Ins Legal Team. Will update the group when I hear more.

The tires on this coach are 2016. I think they have to be replaced. I haven’t gotten a quote yet. Probably big $$$!

Thanks everyone! I didn’t hear anyone say ‘stay away’ yet! Thanks for the info on the trailing arm issue. I will look into it. Also, this coach has HWH levelers. I have only had hydraulic jacks. Are HWH levelers a problem?

Hey Friends! I’m looking at purchasing a 2002 Windsor PKDD with 96,000 miles. Asking $56,000. Does anyone have any recommendations for this coach? I was told from a dealer that the ‘trailing arms’ should have been replaced and if they haven’t been, it’s an expensive fix. Please share your thoughts on this type of coach. I’m coming out of a 96 Crown Royale Signature. Thanks! Joe 7045172021 - if you would rather talk than type!

Yes sir!

Daily storage fee is $100/Day! So, $35,000 is kinda normal for a truck? I need to get into the towing business!

Hi All - Sadly, I was involved in an accident in NC. Highway Patrol wouldn’t let me use my Good Sam’s Tow because he said they would be too slow in responding. I just got the tow bill …. $35,000! I was on the interstate and all they did was disconnect the driveshaft and release the brakes. Towed the coach about 5-10 miles. My insurance guy said he had never heard of such a high fee. Have any of you had an experience like this? And, would you please share the costs? Thanks!

Hi Al and Deb - if you Coach us still available, have you posted more details online? I’m interested and would love to see more! Joe

Hi All! I finally found the problem with all your help! It was a bad starter and solenoid. $400 later, I got a ‘gear down’ starter that is much lighter and perhaps, more modern. Not sure yet if purchasing this starter vs a rebuilt one is a better idea…. As I removed the starter, I discovered damage to the flywheel. Ugh. Well, it starts and runs now. I decided not to take on the expense of replacing the flywheel. Time will tell if this was a good decision. Attached are a couple of pictures so you can see the damage to the Bendix and Flywheel. I appreciate all the time everyone took to help me! Joe

Jamie J - I really appreciate the detail. (I need the detail!) It was kind to be concerned about offending me. There’s no way that will happen! I’m under a bit of pressure to get all these issues resolved as I need to travel over 300 miles on 1.18.2023. I’m going to a school on the east coast of North Carolina to get my Captain’s License as I’m pursuing a new career path (and, I’m 58 years old!) I originally purchased my Monaco to help me shop for boats. Then, we decided to become Full-Timers. Since then, I have had so many problems that it seems working on my Monaco takes a lot of my time. But, I’m learning a lot and truly appreciate you and the entire group of people! I’m hopeful that I will finally have learned enough that I can help others as you all have helped me. Happy New Year and safe travels to everyone in 2023!

Thanks Guys! I wasn’t able to work on her yesterday and can’t today. I like all the ideas! The batteries are new but could have a bad cell for sure. Prior to the issue with starting, I cleaned the old Winn Fuel Water Separator. (see attached picture) and have also been trying to figure out why I have low voltage when I try to start my generator. The issue in the generator is that the voltage drops to about 8 volts when I press the started button and the fuel solenoid won’t open the fuel door on the side of my Onan 10k diesel generator. When I provide 12 volts directly to the fuel solenoid, it operates correctly. The low voltage at the generator is what has me working on the chassis batteries and since then, I have the new added problem of the chassis engine not turning over. CAT Stephen - you suggest that the fuel solenoid my have failed. I’m sure I don’t have fuel following through the Winn fuel water separator yet. Will the fuel solenoid cause the engine to not turn over? I clearly should have been working on only one problem at a time!

Also … here’s a video of the dash voltage meter when I move the key switch from the off position to the run position, then the starter position. See the voltage drop? IMG_7867.MOV IMG_7867.MOV IMG_7867.MOV

GM Friends - Yesterday, I tested the key switch and replaced the ignition replay on the Rear Run Plate. No luck getting her to turn over. And, when I said she won’t start, I should have said the engine won’t turn over. Sorry Guys. CAT Stephen - I have a Cummins M11 - 400e engine. OhReally - I will attach a picture of my chassis batteries. Would you please double check the wiring? I will charge the batteries today to ensure a full charge and test as you note. Ivan - I can’t find a starter solenoid on the rear power panel. I see the ‘salesman’s’ switch solenoid and the 1000 amp battery boost solenoid only. Could it be somewhere else? And, she won’t start from the rear starter switch either. (Rats!) Ray - I going to follow your ideas to troubleshoot today. Wouldn’t it be great if it was just a bad ground?!? My coach sat for many years before I got her and went full time. She has lots of corrosion and rust. Last Question today: I thought I recalled someone putting wiring diagrams on the Monaco Site. I looked but didn’t see them. Are they on the site? And/Or, does anyone have a diagram for a 1996 Monaco Crown Royale Signature that would include the path between the ignition key switch and the batteries? I know that is a big ask. Ivan shared a great diagram and there may not be a diagram that includes the path between the ignition key switch and the batteries. My thanks for any and all help! I’m planning to roll on 1/18/23 and can’t even get her to turn over.

Hi Wayne! I hope the batteries are connected correctly! To be honest, I’m not sure. I took a picture before I disconnected them but I’m unclear if they where ever wired correctly. I will recheck the connections. From these suggestions, seems I need to test the stater. Does anyone have a procedure to test the starter? Thanks Ivan! I will look for that!

I have tried from the rear. No luck. I did clean the terminals. Forgot to list it. Sorry. No click from the starter solenoid. is there a way to test the starter?

Hello All - I having a new problem today. My 1996 Monaco Crown Royale Signature won’t start! Ugh. I replaced the chassis batteries(even through they tested good at O’Reillys), but when I tried to start her, I get nothing. The dash voltage meter drops below the 8 volts on the meter, but when I put my meter on the (new) batteries, the voltage only drops a bit when I turn the key. I pulled out the ignition switch and tested the terminals for continuity. All seemed good as I placed the switch in the different positions. Any ideas from my fellow Monaco friends? Thanks for any advice or suggestions!! Joe

Thanks Ivan and Tim!

Thanks Men! I have a ‘steps’ switch at the door. I’m not familiar with the Salesmen Solenoid. Glad it’s ok for this solenoid to be hot. I may bypass it to save on current when I’m boondocking. If I bypass this solenoid, what will be affected?

Hi Everyone! I have a ‘96 Signature. I noticed the Step Switch (cont 12v) solenoid on the electrical panel in my engine bay was very warm to the touch. It’s so warm that I can’t leave my figures on it for more than a couple seconds. (See solenoid below in the Red circle). Also, see the wiring diagram. The solenoid in question is labeled Solenoid Step Switch. Two questions: 1) Should this solenoid be this hot? 2) Is this solenoid for my motorized step at the door? Thanks for reading this and for any help! Joe

Duh! I enjoy this group! Thanks, Myron, for the idea to test voltage at the clock. Seems I could’ve figured that out for myself! Ha, ha, ha ha! I really appreciate all the support. I have a lot to learn still.

Thanks for the ideas, Tom! I’m on it!

Hi Fellow Travelers! I have a ‘96 Signature and my built-in bedroom clock has started to flash only minutes after I set the time. It’s like it’s loosing power, but I’m hooked up to 50 amp. I couldn’t find anything in the forum about this problem. All ideas are appreciated! Joe

Hi Jim! I have 2 panels. My guess is that they are 100 watts each. So, a total of 200 watts. And, they could be original panels that could have been installed in 1996. I have no idea how long a solar panel can last. Joe Hi Vito - I’m reading the RV-30 display that only shows Amps. So, you think 5.8 is about all I could get from this old panels? Seems it is time for a new system!