seek SMB Van Electrician in LA Metro

snah · 12-12-2022, 06:08 PM

I am seeking a good Electrican with knowledge for a Sportsmobile E-350 SD, yr. 99.
in Los Angeles Metro area, possibly near Santa Monica, Marina del Rey.

Has anybody a recommendation or contact for a trustworthy shop to analyse and fix electrical problems?

All batteries (main under the hood & aux for cabin) get drained quickly.
Van is currently at Sunrise Ford in North Hollywood, CA and they refuse to touch anything electrical (apparently not so professional as they claim to be).

Helpful information & feedback is highly appreciated, Thanks.

clicker44 · 12-13-2022, 03:38 PM

There is a guy on this forum named Wicked Mikey that is in West Hollywood, CA. He is a world class fabricator and is a legend in the 4x4 van community. He could definitely sort your issues out....Not sure how to get in touch with him anymore. The user 1der on this forum can probably get you in touch with him.

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...1der-6198.html

Harry · 12-13-2022, 04:32 PM

Hubert has many Sportsmobile costumers and is very good understanding of these vans.

86Scotty · 12-14-2022, 12:08 PM

Take it to Camping World or any other RV service technician. It's an RV, basically, with old fashioned RV stuff.

I'm sorry to have to tell you this but all of the professionals left the auto dealership industry many, many years ago. They are staffed mostly with minimum wage monkeys barely fit to change oil.

You need an RV service tech, any one will do, or just explain your problems better here and we can help.

But first, go put new batteries in and report back.

gahamby · 12-15-2022, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry

Hubert has many Sportsmobile costumers and is very good understanding of these vans.

We're into cosplay now?
Which battery isolator switch do you have? I replaced my Surepower with a Blue Sea on advice from this forum. I also installed a circuit breaker inline with the positive lead on my house battery so I could stop any battery drain. It also came in handy when working on the electrical system.
https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...ches-7991.html

SMB123 · 12-15-2022, 08:50 AM

Just for fun - I had a battery drain issue because the battery was worn out. Simply replacing the batt resolved it. But by definition house and chassis batteries draining means something else diabolical may be going on if they're not worn out. I do love a good DC clamp meter - used to be the realm of expensive Fluke meters but Amazon has some which work great and I think they're still under $30.

E-350 · 12-15-2022, 11:54 AM

Don‘t have a second battery, but I would perhaps first disconnect the house battery from the system.
Assuming the house is somewhat connected to the main/ alternator, you would know whether the „real van“ or the accessories drain the batteries.
Although I would assume there‘s an isolator or similar inbetween, perhaps this is the one broken and now draining the main as well.

I found quite some battery drainers by pulling fuses ;-) at least narrowing it down to certain circuits. But also understand it‘s not for everyone to DIY :-)

KTMRIDER · 12-15-2022, 09:46 PM

If you are up for learning you are better off doing it yourself with advice from the forum members. Mike is also a great resource if he has time.

- First which battery isolater do you have (as someone asked already)? Look in your manual for potential locations. I would start with confirming which isolater and then if it works as it should.

Let us know the model and we can get you started on troubleshooting.
Eric

HIGHCOUNTRYMIKE · 12-19-2022, 09:51 AM

1st "snah" wish I had known you were going to Sunrise Ford in North Hollywood.
I have a 2003 Ford E350 Sportsmobile 4X4, 7.3 I keep it in top condition to prevent issues when in the back country. I have had an emergency brake issue from all most day 1 (which was Sept 2003). I took it to Sunrise at 300,000 miles and asked for E Brake repair. What a joke.....I'm now suspecting that there was an issue from the beginning of production with the E350 from Ford. As far as I know there was no recognition from the company. They (Sunrise) replaced one item after another there was no improvement in the brake function. Sunrise never said there was systemic problem with the emergency brake system. I will never return to SunRise in NoHo.
2) I replaced the headlights with Morimoto HID. great improvement BUT the passenger side lamp would not ignite when the motor was turned on. I asked the installer (Vantage Optics) and his reply was that is was a low vantage issue with that light. OK how do we fit it....the reply was equivalent to "live with it". I recently contacted Morimoto Lighting asking for a recommendation of another installer who can help with the "low voltage" issue. All I get are ads for their products.
3) Ford will not touch anything that is not a factory install or Ford part.
The above issues are a reflection of 86 Scotty's evaluation of the current state of RV tech's.
I an open to anyone's recommendation to my issues as stated above. Like snah I'm in the Los Angeles, CA area. If it's part of my rig I want it to work as expected. Just tell me the truth, or it's not something you want to deal with.
Frustrated in SoCal.........
HighCountryMike 2003 Ford E350 Sportsmobile 4X4, 7.3, 300,000+ I love and cherish my SMB.........I expect systems to preform as designed.

KTMRIDER · 12-21-2022, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HIGHCOUNTRYMIKE

1st "snah" wish I had known you were going to Sunrise Ford in North Hollywood.
I have a 2003 Ford E350 Sportsmobile 4X4, 7.3 I keep it in top condition to prevent issues when in the back country. I have had an emergency brake issue from all most day 1 (which was Sept 2003). I took it to Sunrise at 300,000 miles and asked for E Brake repair. What a joke.....I'm now suspecting that there was an issue from the beginning of production with the E350 from Ford. As far as I know there was no recognition from the company. They (Sunrise) replaced one item after another there was no improvement in the brake function. Sunrise never said there was systemic problem with the emergency brake system. I will never return to SunRise in NoHo.
2) I replaced the headlights with Morimoto HID. great improvement BUT the passenger side lamp would not ignite when the motor was turned on. I asked the installer (Vantage Optics) and his reply was that is was a low vantage issue with that light. OK how do we fit it....the reply was equivalent to "live with it". I recently contacted Morimoto Lighting asking for a recommendation of another installer who can help with the "low voltage" issue. All I get are ads for their products.
3) Ford will not touch anything that is not a factory install or Ford part.
The above issues are a reflection of 86 Scotty's evaluation of the current state of RV tech's.
I an open to anyone's recommendation to my issues as stated above. Like snah I'm in the Los Angeles, CA area. If it's part of my rig I want it to work as expected. Just tell me the truth, or it's not something you want to deal with.
Frustrated in SoCal.........
HighCountryMike 2003 Ford E350 Sportsmobile 4X4, 7.3, 300,000+ I love and cherish my SMB.........I expect systems to preform as designed.

For the brake issue I would try South Bay Car Care as recommended above. Hubert has worked on both of my vans and they have always done great work. If needed he used to be able to get good rental car rates from the nearby Enterprise.

The house electrical system in the initial post should be left to a specialist or the help of the forum. Hubert has solved some van oem specific electrical gremlins for me but not sure house electrical is their specialty. Be careful of camping world near Valencia a friend had a terrible experience there. I can’t speak for other locations of theirs.