Before doing a test I always check the meter by touching the probes.

OK, I had to pull the fuse on the solar charging and wait for the voltage to settle. It went down to 13.35volts after about half an hour.

I started and revved the engine and the voltage stayed the same. I know one should expect 14+ volts from the alternator but not sure if certain revs are needed to achieve that.

....it should be somewhere in excess of 14v, but to be conclusive, I'd leave it a bit longer.


If it still remains the same, then I'd suspect the alternator D+ signal. (it's possible that you have more than one problem, e.g. two duff relays, or fuses, etc., but if it is a simple issue then that is the main suspect).


The other, lower, possibility is wiring damage going into the 'van.


You could possibly track this down further by measuring the voltage at the *input* side of the fuse carrier, with the engine running (if you can get a probe on it).


The blue fuse would be best (since this should be the one that drives the step/fridge/hab). Volts with the engine on would indicate a fuse or downstream wiring problem. No volts would indicate a relay, D+ or upstream wiring problem.

Just checked the hab battery again. Down to 12.83volts and no difference when I start and rev the engine. I'll do the voltage check at the fuse holder, but probably won't be until Friday now. I'll report back again then.

Thanks again.

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

The van is now going in to have all of it's outstanding warranty issues dealt with next week, so I'll give the professionals a chance to fix it.

No doubt.....I'll be back!

Come on Geoff, what happened, what was it that failed?

Don't you just hate it when peeps don't tell the end of the tale

Sorry, folks, I was distracted by another problem with an oil leak that was taking some sorting.

The garage changed one of the relays (the lefthand one of the pair as you look at them) under the cover in the top of the engine bay. Problem seemed to be fixed.

I've just been away for a few days and the same problem has returned. A couple of times I've reached the end of a journey to find the step out

I found an autoparts shop and replaced the relay, still not working!
Replaced the other one of the pair, still no difference.

So, methinks there is a problem elsewhere. I only arrived home last night so need a couple of days to scratch my ****** and have a think, then I'll take it back to the garage and tell'em to fix it properly!

Lucky you didn't scuff a pedestrian, catch a wall on a narrow road or worse.

Is you door on the drivers side?

If not a bracket pop riveted on the an exposed part of the step, and a water proof limit switch, linked to a dash LED, might be a useful mod, Techno might help there.

This may not be relative but have seen a few campers where the step retracts when the handbrake is released know how randomly some of these things are built and wired may be worth a look

Yerbut, if you read the whole thread.............

.......it's not just the step.

The hab 12 volt does not switch off.
The fridge 12 volt does not come on.

ergo, I assume it's a problem further back up the line that is common to all 3.

Think I need to investigate the feed from the alternator that someone mentioned. It would help if there was a circuit diagram showing the interface between Fiat base vehicle and hab electrics.

Oh, that coachbuilders should be so thoughtful!:tosser:

....the "Sargent" link I posted on page 1 will allow you to download a wiring diagram that shows most of what you want (including the link to the vehicle electrics).


Given your symptoms, I would be checking in the following order:


1 Fuses in the engine bay (next to the relays)
2 Relays in the engine bay
3 D+ signal from alternator
4 Power available at above fuse terminals (output side of fuses)
5 Outlet wiring from relays/fuses (particularly behind the vehicle battery, as I've seen corrosion and breaks here)


I would also consider phoning Sargent (number available via link above) as they have a good reputation for helping out over the 'phone)

OK, guys, follow up report.

All the wiring checked out OK. Blue feed from alternator showing 14+ volts, relays operating correctly with output voltages OK.

On this occasion the blue 15volt fuse had blown, this is fed from the right-hand relay as you look at them. The previously replaced relay was the left-hand one! On that occasion all fuses were intact.

Everything now working correctly again.

So......one relay has been knackered, one fuse has been blown. Should I be looking at something overloading the circuitry such as wet in the step electrics? Would that be the sensible next stage in the investigation?

Yeh defo look at the step for sure

The 15 amp fuse and relay control the feed to the step, the fridge, and the Sargent Distribution panel.


If the fuse continues to blow, I'd have a look at the step first, and check the wiring (including the rear retraction sensor switch, which tends to be a bit exposed) and make sure the mechanism is well lubricated.


Diagnosing any issue at the fridge is going to be more difficult, as is any failure within the Sargent unit.


Oh.....and carry a good supply of 15A fuses with you