We have a lovely 28 year old Laika Motorhome on a 1998 Ducato maxi 2.8idtd frame and engine. It has covered 80,000 miles and pulls like a train. We love it. I’m looking for a workshop manual for it as it needs a little TLC. One of the little issues is the lights for the dashboard instruments eg Speedo doesn’t work. Also the heater switch for the back part of the van (like in the minibuses) has broken into pieces and now doesn’t work.
Sorry Mac , i don't get much web time due to an ongoing situation dating back from last August last year . witness when i did get on last night , i found 178 emails in my inbox !
Okay well first off , forget about a workshop manual , they don't exist . I brought my van , same as yours but with only 46000 on the clock , back in 2017 , and have given up . I did manage to get a knock off book by the name of Peter Cussack , or something like that , off ebay , but even they appear to have disappeared . If you want the isbn number and more details , let me know and i'll look it out . But i will warn you there are big holes in the subjects . Nothing about the turbo or intercooler , and completely devoid of any actual photographs . It does have exploded type drawings , but at best they can only be classed as an aid , not an assistant .
Yes it was a very good year , mine pulls like a train , and i've managed 32 to the gallon loaded . Only warning i would give is don't let it labour in 5th gear below 50 , otherwise keep the oil changes up , and keep the gear box overfilled , about 2.7 litres , and not what they say in the handbook ( can't actually remember what it says in the handbook anyway) . The engine is good for about 500,000 , and virtually bulletproof . The gearbox is the weak spot , but do as i've just outlined and you will be just fine .
As for your other problems , my first thought is bulbs , the cluster is a pain not only to remove but because of the speedo cable , even worse to replace . So because of that , i would suspect your problem maybe blown bulbs . They are controlled by a different fuse , but you are not mentioning any other lighting issue , so i would suspect the fuse is fine . I can't remember the fuse number , but it's to the left of the dipped headlight fuses (2x10amp fuses top row about mid block) 7.5 amp . This fuse is for the sidelights . Excuse me for that , but due to the ongoing situation i mentioned above , the work on my own van stopped dead . I've not even looked at it since , though i'm hoping to get back to it this year . I was in the middle of a major revamp , and modification when it all kicked off , only a couple of little jobs to complete . Fridge the most major , and was the current job at time of stoppage .
Now your second problem is rather puzzling , because the only rear heater i have is the central heating . I don't have a vehicle rear heater , but i've never really needed it , if it has . Further to that is i've never heard of a rear heater in any van conversion , though i have read of people who wanted one . I seem to recall years back someone was trying to fashion one , but i left that forum some years back so i don't know the outcome . I'm equally sure i've read there was a rear heater option in the standard van , my guess it was likely the owners manual , and probably referred to the crew bus , but don't quote me on that .
If one was fitted , i would suspect this is something peculiar to your make of conversion , but at the same time , i would be wondering if not some previous owner had been fiddling . Now comes the bad bit , i seriously doubt you will find a new switch . Original duke dashboard switches are difficult to source at the best of times , but do come up . Fiat just laugh at ya , but Coastal motorhomes do stock them from time to time . I've managed to replace all of mine , and even added a couple for different functions by converting them (a rear load light for my motorcycle rack , and cooling fan override) . One was a non locking switch which i converted to locking by adding the lock spring . There were many options for this age duke , but i have never seen any standard switches for a duke other than the usual hazard or rear fogs , certainly not a rear heater , though like i said i'm sure there was something in the owners manual that did mention such an option . So what would my answer be ?
Well first off check the switch type , does it match your other switches ? (i'm assuming it's mounted on the dashboard) , and if so which type is it . There were two types fitted to this year of van , a flat square switch , or are they like mine , a semi rounded type ? . It could be something entirely different , and if this is the case it's likely aftermarket , and does make the job a little easier . I think a picture of this switch would be a great help here .
First thing you could try is the actual motorhome dealer . I have a Hymer , and i'm still able to source most original parts for my van , though not all . If it looks as i said above , more like a duke part , then it becomes a little more troublesome , and you will need to source an original switch from Coastal . Front fog would be brilliant , rear fog will need a little more work , as they are non locking , and you will need to fit the spring . It's not difficult , but it is fiddly , and you will need the spring . DON'T GET A HAZARD SWITCH , they have far more connections and work in a different way !!! .
Any problems give us a shout , i know your about and in trouble , so i'll check in a bit more frequently until your sorted .
