2008 FOUR WINDS HURRICANE Electrical System Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FOUR WINDS HURRICANE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THERE WAS A BURNING ORDER COMING FROM THE TRANSFER SWITCH. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CASE WAS OVERHEATED AND THERE WERE BURN MARKS AROUND THE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSFER SWITCH FAILED AND THE OVERHEATING WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO DAMAGE THE SHORE CORD AND CAUSED WIRES TO MELT. THE TRANSFER SWITCH WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, NONE OF THE DAMAGED PARTS WERE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V516000( ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,032. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE CHASSIS BATTERY DISCONNECT SOLENOID FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE ON-RAMP, CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL POWER, INCLUDING BRAKES, STEERING AND ALL LIGHTING. THE SOLENOID IS DESIGNED TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FOR LONG-TERM STORAGE. IT FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, BASICALLY UNHOOKING THE CHASSIS BATTERY FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. WHILE BROKEN DOWN, A TRACTOR-TRAILER SIDE-SWIPED OUR CARGO TRAILER AND RV CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE WEREN'T AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR FAR MORE SERIOUS DAMAGE COULD HAVE OCCURRED, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF LIFE IS SIGNIFICANT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF ALL VEHICLES THAT USE THIS SOLENOID...UPDATED 10/09/12 *BF