Cigarette lighter and TV suddenly not working

DebbyDiver · 04-13-2015, 08:28 AM

Good morning! Brand new RVer and first post.

I recently purchased a 2006 Sightseer 26P and suddenly the cigarette lighter outlet and TV are not working. I changed the 20 amp fuses under the dash but that did not help (and the fuses I replaced were not burnt out).

I'm waiting on a callback from the dealer where I purchased the rig (they are a four hour round trip away!) to see if they can give a hint.

Here's hoping it's something simple that I've turned off or overlooked. I'm leaving Thursday to start full-timing and at this time cannot use my GPS or the radio-controlled thing for my toad brake.

Thanks in advance!

Old Car Nut · 04-13-2015, 08:37 AM

Since the fuses you changed were not blown they may not be the right ones.

Winnebago support?
Have VIN in hand. They know everything there is to know about where things are and I hear are quite helpful.

DebbyDiver · 04-13-2015, 09:20 AM

Just got off the phone with Winnebago, he gave me some ideas. I'm going to drive over to the rig and see if I can solve it.

Tom N · 04-13-2015, 11:01 AM

Download the wiring schematics/diagrams for your 2006 Sightseer from.....

Winnebago Product Information | Motorhome & RV Information

-Tom

emcee · 04-13-2015, 11:40 AM

Does the TV require 12 volts? If not then you lost a 12 volt circuit and a 120 volt circuit at the same time. That's suspicious. Is the rig plugged into shore power? Are the other 12 volt and 120 volt receptacles working?

DebbyDiver · 04-13-2015, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom N

Download the wiring schematics/diagrams for your 2006 Sightseer from.....

Winnebago Product Information | Motorhome & RV Information

-Tom

Now that's just good comedy humor.

I thank you for the link but I may as well be looking at the plans for the Space Shuttle.

DebbyDiver · 04-13-2015, 12:38 PM

As Old Car Nut suggested, I called Winnebago. The guy on the phone admitted he didn't have the answer but he gave me this list of things to try. I'm really not sure WHAT resolved it, but I did a lot of things: looked under the steps at the batteries (didn't see anything out of the ordinary), opened the house battery fuse box next to the steps and pressed each fuse in (not that they needed it), turned on the house batteries, played with the toggle switches to the right of the steering wheel, and turned the inverter GFC (or whatever that's called) off and on. Voila! Cig lighter outlet working a charm. To get the TV running I had to move it to a different outlet. I attached a photo of the outlet that is not working. Note that I was not plugged into shore power and my gennie was not turned on.

Yup, I'm new, lots to learn, thanks for your help!

Old Car Nut · 04-13-2015, 12:51 PM

DebbyDiver if I was anywhere near you I could be more help. Many years of coach system and automotive electrical installation and service. Knowing how to use a volt ohm meter goes a long way. You can pick one up at lowes or home depot for less that $20

DebbyDiver · 04-13-2015, 01:17 PM

Thank you! I'll be workamping for quite some time and I'll bet you that one of the other staff members can show me how.

Davdeb1 · 04-13-2015, 01:22 PM

It sounds like a bad connection at the TV plug. There is a safety feature where the TV won't operate when the ignition is on the 12v connect to. At the TV plug is probably the problem. The plug incidentally is probably connected to the inverter.
I would just cut the 12v wires that go into the TV outlet, and cap them and tape them.
I could be wrong but that sounds like it to me.
If you start up your RV and niggle the wires you can probably duplicate the condition.

DebbyDiver · 04-13-2015, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davdeb1

It sounds like a bad connection at the TV plug. There is a safety feature where the TV won't operate when the ignition is on the 12v connect to. At the TV plug is probably the problem. The plug incidentally is probably connected to the inverter.
I would just cut the 12v wires that go into the TV outlet, and cap them and tape them.
I could be wrong but that sounds like it to me.
If you start up your RV and niggle the wires you can probably duplicate the condition.

Although I'm unsure what most of your post means or what to do (sorry, I have no electrical knowledge!), I will admit that the engine has been running every time I've tried the TV! Maybe that's the problem! Because the MH has been sitting in my friend's driveway since February, I go over there weekly and run the engine, and often the gennie, for a while. I'm bringing her to my house Thursday to load up my belongings for full-timing, I'll test it with the motor off. Thanks!

DebbyDiver · 04-13-2015, 07:05 PM

I texted a pic of that outlet to my best friend, and he told me that it's

Quote:

used to cut the 120 power to the tv when the ignition key/engine is on. I think that is because in most states you are not supposed to have a tv viewable from the driver's seat. Guess if you had to prove it to a cop...the little black box...is your proof. The TV will not turn on!

So that's it!!! Because my MH has been sitting, I go over there and run the engine for a while each week and then I try to turn on the TV. Now I know!!!