Swift Kontiki Door step/electrics problem. In France Help

[shortcircuit]

Currently working my way home and am in France. As I do not have any French language not prepared to go to a garage.

I have a Swift Kontiki 660 which is a 55 reg on a Fiat 2.8 chassis. I can open and close the door from the sawitch and switch off and on the electrics and pump from the control panel. My problem is when I start the engine the door does not retract and the electrics remain active. I can live with these problems ut m concerned that I may not get a charge to my leisure battery or discharge the vehicle battery.

I have looked for a fuse or a relay but cannot find anywhere.

Any help most appreciated

ps I have also posted on another forum

 

[The Grand Wanderer]

Door step retraction

Hi Shortcircuit,
You may find the answer to your troubles under the bonnet as most motorhomes have one or more relays near the van engine battery attached to the bulkhead or side of the van. They always have a fuse near them. Worth taking them out and cleaning contacts, putting a little vasaline on and replacing after checking to see if they are blowen.
The circuits you describe are all controled when the engine alternator starts to charge.
Mine has three such relays all with an individual fuse.
1 Split charge relay purpose to split the power from the alternator between the van battery and the leisure battery/ies
2 Step retraction relay and main power cut off circuit
3 Fridge relay Provides power for fridge when engine running.
Hope this helps,
Wanderer

 

[shortcircuit]

Thanks Wanderer.

Had a look in that area but no relays visible. They may be hidden well back and will have another look tomorrow. The step retract relay is located in the slde out cupbord beside the door. The other relays???

Does not appear as if it will be a problem other than remembering to retract step.

Will keep looking

 

[Firefox]

Usually there are separate relays for various functions, so your split charge may still probably be working. I'd run the aux battery till it is 3/4 charge or whatever is one step down from full on your control panel. Then take her for a run for an hour or two. See if aux battery is restored.

If the relays are not in the engine bay, they may be under the dash or near the charger and caravan fuse board.

 

[Deleted member 3802]

are they up behind the glove box ? L/H side

 

[The Grand Wanderer]

Relays

Hi Shortcircuit/
Have had look at the wiring diagram for your van and there are definatly three relays as described. Just a case of locating them. They will look like add ons' as fitted as part of the conversion by Swift. One way of finding them may be to back track the wire from the feild contact on the alternator (it is blue).
Regards,
Wanderer

 

[The Grand Wanderer]

relays

Hi Shortcircuit,
Further to my post yesterday I have now found out exactly where the offending relays and fuses are located.
They are under a black plastic cover measuring approx 5"x3"x2" which is fastened by 2 small bolts/screws. This is to be found under the bonnet near the vehicule battery fastened to the bodywork. Shame Swift don't bother to label them or make reference to them in their manuals.
Hope you can now cure your problem and enjoy rest of trip.
Regards,
Wanderer

 

[justpugs206]

Currently working my way home and am in France. As I do not have any French language not prepared to go to a garage.

I have a Swift Kontiki 660 which is a 55 reg on a Fiat 2.8 chassis. I can open and close the door from the sawitch and switch off and on the electrics and pump from the control panel. My problem is when I start the engine the door does not retract and the electrics remain active. I can live with these problems ut m concerned that I may not get a charge to my leisure battery or discharge the vehicle battery.

I have looked for a fuse or a relay but cannot find anywhere.

Any help most appreciated

ps I have also posted on another forum

hi i have had the same on a swift 630 03 plate i am a mec looked into it and found out it was switch and wirering prob, took it back to dealer they rewired and replaced swich and relay its been ok for 6 mhs,the problem is if you forget to bring it in and drive off regards just pugs p.s common problem

 

[shortcircuit]

Opened the bonnet this morning and removed the small cover in the middle. Found a relay, charge relay and a fuse panel with three fuses. A 15A was blown. Replace fuse and now all working as it should.

Thanks for the help

 

[The Grand Wanderer]

Relays and fuses

Hi Shortcircuit,
Glad you sorted out the problem.
However, I advise you to throughly clean and lightly smear with vasaline all the conectors including the relay lugs of all three relays and fuses/holders as there is obviously an underlying problem. Fuses blow for two reasons only. 1 because they are old and fragile (unlikely in an 05 van) or 2 because too much power has been demanded by the circuit concerned.
This is possibly due to weathering of the contact/connection points causing resistance/heat within the circuits. If done now and then regularly thereafter it will prevent the circuits involved possibly overheating due to resistance and the added expense of having to have them rewired as justpugs 206 had to.
Regards,
Wanderer