Swift Challenger/Thetford Fridge problem

[AndrewWimborne]

Hi. I have a Swift Challenger 540 2007 model fitted with a Thetford fridge.

The fridge is working fine on site on both gas and electric.

When towing the fridge is not working on battery. I have switche the Challenger control pnel to Van which is apparantly correct.

So far I have had the car checked and when started up it is delivering between 13.8 and 14 from the fridge connection. I have fitted a brand new grey plug on the van and double checked the wiring.

I have checked and replaced the 15amp fuse in the caravan.

the message i am getting up on the fridge were the blue light is flashing is No 10. which states No engine running signal is present and control is in manaual control.

Can anyone offer me any further advice as to what I can check.

Thanks

Andrew

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

Hi Andrew,

I think you have undertaken most of the diagnostics that you can do. The issue seems to be that the fridge is not receiving the D+ or Engine Run signal.

The alternator supplies this signal, and it is received by the caravan fusebox. The issue could be with the alternator signal, wiring within the car / tow bar or with the caravan electrics and / or fusebox.

The next step would be to turn on some 12V lights / pump in the caravan, and ensure these turn off when the tow car is connected and started.

If they do, the habitation relay and tow car are OK, and the problem will be between the fusebox and fridge.

I hope that helps.

Ash

 

[AndrewWimborne]

Hi Andrew,

I think you have undertaken most of the diagnostics that you can do. The issue seems to be that the fridge is not receiving the D+ or Engine Run signal.

The alternator supplies this signal, and it is received by the caravan fusebox. The issue could be with the alternator signal, wiring within the car / tow bar or with the caravan electrics and / or fusebox.

The next step would be to turn on some 12V lights / pump in the caravan, and ensure these turn off when the tow car is connected and started.

If they do, the habitation relay and tow car are OK, and the problem will be between the fusebox and fridge.

I hope that helps.

Ash

Thanks Ash.

Will go out and connect up later and let you know outcome.

Thanks

Andrew

 

[AndrewWimborne]

Hi Andrew,

I think you have undertaken most of the diagnostics that you can do. The issue seems to be that the fridge is not receiving the D+ or Engine Run signal.

The alternator supplies this signal, and it is received by the caravan fusebox. The issue could be with the alternator signal, wiring within the car / tow bar or with the caravan electrics and / or fusebox.

The next step would be to turn on some 12V lights / pump in the caravan, and ensure these turn off when the tow car is connected and started.

If they do, the habitation relay and tow car are OK, and the problem will be between the fusebox and fridge.

I hope that helps.

Ash

Hi Ash

Been out again and connected up.

The lights and water pump work fine when connected to the car but with car off.

When turned on the water and lights go off which is I believe should happen.

The fridge light comes on permanently for a couple of seconds then goes into message 10 and starts blinking.

Also I am getting clicking noises from near the 12 v fridge fuse under the front seat, and also it appears to come from near where the radio is fitted above the dresser. I have also revved the car up but it has not helped.

Anything more I can do?

Andrew

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

Hi Andrew,

The clicking sound could be the habitation relay you are hearing, and if so, it is normal for it to click.

As the habitation relay is receiving the D+ signal, and turning off all 12V items in the caravan, you have established that the car is OK, as is the towbar and the wiring between the car and caravan fusebox also seems OK. However, it could be the car is not supplying 12V (only the D+ signal), so it maybe worth checking if you have a tow bar relay or fuse fitted (normally somewhere in the boot)?

If it 100% not the towcar, I would suspect the fault is either with the wiring between the fusebox and fridge or the fridge itself.

There should be 4 12V cables on the rear of the fridge, I would suggest the next step is to ensure these are correctly attached at the fridge end and also the fusebox.

Failing that, I think you may need to visit a dealer, for a full diagnosis.

I hope that helps.

Ash

 

[AndrewWimborne]

Hi Andrew,

The clicking sound could be the habitation relay you are hearing, and if so, it is normal for it to click.

As the habitation relay is receiving the D+ signal, and turning off all 12V items in the caravan, you have established that the car is OK, as is the towbar and the wiring between the car and caravan fusebox also seems OK. However, it could be the car is not supplying 12V (only the D+ signal), so it maybe worth checking if you have a tow bar relay or fuse fitted (normally somewhere in the boot)?

If it 100% not the towcar, I would suspect the fault is either with the wiring between the fusebox and fridge or the fridge itself.

There should be 4 12V cables on the rear of the fridge, I would suggest the next step is to ensure these are correctly attached at the fridge end and also the fusebox.

Failing that, I think you may need to visit a dealer, for a full diagnosis.

I hope that helps.

Ash

Thanks Ash.

I think it will have to go to Autovans in Wimborne. I don't really wnat to start taking the fridge out to check the wiring. unless it is easier than I think. As I said in my first note the socket on the van appears to be delivering between 13.8 and 14 when tested with ignition on.

Andrew

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Have you tried getting someone to increase the car revs slightly

It sounds to me that the car voltage sensing relay could be cutting in and out under load

Later voltage sensing relays have a small adjusting screw

 

[AndrewWimborne]

Have you tried getting someone to increase the car revs slightly

It sounds to me that the car voltage sensing relay could be cutting in and out under load

Later voltage sensing relays have a small adjusting screw

Hi.

Yes I had my wife on the power and kept it revved up but to no avail.

Thanks for the help

Andrew

 

[AndrewWimborne]

Going away on Friday to the CC site at Chard so will ask a friendly neighbour to connect up car to finally eliminate or otherwise the car. Once i know that I can get the fridge sorted.

Andrew

 

[geoffh]

Going away on Friday to the CC site at Chard so will ask a friendly neighbour to connect up car to finally eliminate or otherwise the car. Once i know that I can get the fridge sorted.

Andrew

I had to have a better quality relay fitted to my last car which had the adjuster john is talking about and they also redid the earth connection in the boot

 

[AndrewWimborne]

I had to have a better quality relay fitted to my last car which had the adjuster john is talking about and they also redid the earth connection in the boot

Hi Geoff.

So even if I am getting the correct power readings from the socket on the car when the ignition is in it does not guarantee anything?

Andrew

 

[AndrewWimborne]

Hi

Update on the fridge issue. After John's post regarding the adjusting switch on the relay I took my van over to and connected up to my daughters van, again the fridge would not work. This ment the problem is def in the car.

Went to the mobile fitter who installed my towbar and yes it does have an adjuster screw. He is coming out on Weds evening when we will connect car to van and he will adjust. Should be the end of the problem.

Many thanks to all of you for your help including Swift at the weekend. Process of elimination appears to have resolved the issue.

Andrew

 

[djl1976]

Hi Andrew
Did you ever sort your fridge problem out?
You may not even have the same van now,
Iv'e had the same issue with my 2007 540 and actually solved the problem yesterday !!
I can see that your post is from a while ago but wondered if you ever sorted it .
if you remove the distribution board in the cupboard and reveal all the wiring looms there is a relay ,
from one of the relay connections there are two diodes that connect onto two red/yellow cables one of my diodes had snapped off so the fridge was getting no feed from hook up but worked if switched to van .
Exactly the same problem as yours.
i replaced the diode (Maplins 49p) and everything is good as new ...
it has screwed with my head for over a year but is now sorted .
hope this helps
Danny