1996 Cobra Passport 31' RV, Ford F350 on an E350 Chassis with a Banks Power System. I bought this March 2014 with 43,000 miles. Two current problems. 1. The passenger side battery for RV isn't charging. It is brand new. 2. The engine wont crank at all, as though it were not in park. When you put the key in the ignition, everything dings & lights up on the instrument panel. I am not good mechanically but I can follow simple directions. Any help? I don't think they are related. Thanks, Corky

 

Find the starter relay out under the hood. Most people call it the starter "solenoid". Even though your true solenoid is on the starter, Ford still used the fender solenoid on most of these vans and trucks.

One of the smaller wires to the solenoid should be a red/blue wire. If you find this wire, make sure it's on there good, pull it off, put it on, and then try it. If it still doesn't work, MAKE SURE THE RV IS IN PARK and take the red/blue wire off the solenoid and take a small scrap piece of wire and touch one end to the battery +, and the other end to the terminal on the solenoid where the red/blue wire went. It should turn over.

If it turns over, then your problem is most likely the neutral safety switch or the wiring to it. If the above test works, write back in and we will pursue the neutral safety switch.

P.S. If it ends up you want to troubleshoot the neutral safety wiring, go to Harbor Freight or somewhere and get a testlight so you can do some testing.

 

Thanks Dave, first bright spot in my search! Corky