Lost power in 12V overhead wires.

[SierraHawk]

2003 Ford E350 Sportsmobile 4X4 w/penthouse. The 2000+ builds had a pair of 10ga wires (one red and one white) that supply 12V to the two small storage areas just above the windshield. Peter Del Toro is not in the shop.

I've used the 12V wires to power a back-up camera and display and TPMS monitor. Others have used the power for a CB radio. The original Sportsmobile schematics do not include these wires.

The wires have lost power. They do not appear to originate from the fuse cluster under the dash (next to the steering column). Can't really see a similar 12V (red/white) pair of 10ga wires under the back seat. There is no in-line fuse in the area where they emerge from the small storage spaces above the windshield.

Thanks for any leads.

M

 

[Scalf77]

The front overhead wiring generally is tied to the 30-amp Driver-side circuit.

 

[CDACamper]

On my 2001 the overhead power wires route down behind the plastic trim between the windshield and the door. It continues under the plastic step and then up behind the plastic trim covering the seatbelt (behind the driver seat) upper mechanism. Then it routes behind the short wall panel behind the driver seat. There are sharp edges back there where the window was cut in by SMB. I have heard several people report the exposed metal has shorted out wires. I went in and fixed the issue on my van with some wire conduit and could definitely see how this could be a problem.

 

[N147JK]

Just to clarify.. you have disconnected all attached equipment and verified there is no power on the wires?

 

[SierraHawk]

CDACamper: Thanks for the info. As soon as it stops raining, I will open up the trim and examine the wiring.

N147JK: Yes. Nothing is attached to the far end of the red and white wires. I found a blown 30amp fuse under the back seat (RB50). We have been traveling. I will need to unload the van so that I can get to the fuses again.

 

[doublevan2]

My 2005 SMB power wires for PH top were placed near the "B" pillar back in the day. One night the top went up and down - and next night "NOT." luckily I was near Huntington IN and stopped - met Nancy, etc. Very nice lady and customer service. Got me right in to shop and discovered the power wires for PH top at "B" pillar had worn tnru to chassis wall and shorted out - only wrapped in electrical tape ! They rewrapped in butyl tape and stuffed back in the wall and all was good ! Check your wires under/over door plastic plate and in the "B" pillar wall ? Good luck ! I also have the red/white wires at windshield area overhead - they run to fuse box under steering wheel/kick panel -

 

[SierraHawk]

My 2004 SMB E350 RB van was built in Texas. I'm not sure if each of the SMB factories use the same wiring schematic. From what I can see, the red wire runs from the fuse box under the rear seat, routed through an unknown area to the "ceiling chase" above the front passenger seating and emerge from the "cubbies" above the windshield.

The white wire above the windshield may just be a ground for the CB radios and other handheld electronics. Grounding can be achieved by screwing the white (-) leg to the van shell. I've removed the plastic from the pillar behind and in front of the driver's seat and the plastic step but the red and white lines seem to be routed somewhere else. I can see the sharp metal edges that others have written about and see the "trunk bundle" of wires that run up the chase behind the drivers seat but don't see the red and white wires behind the drivers seat.

 

[1der]

SierraHawk - where are you located?

 

[Scalf77]

Generally the two side power wires run up and to the top & have various taps off of it. I agree the white wire is ground and probably if you were to follow it back you would also see the power wire.

 

[SierraHawk]

SierraHawk - where are you located?

We are in Las Vegas. Since we are leaving for Reno on Tuesday, I've run a 12ga (+) fused wire from a source under the hood to the area above the windshield. The fuse for the red wire starts under the rear seat and goes into a small enclosure on the passenger side of the rear seat. They may have created a chase under the plywood floor but I cannot see where the red wire until it emerges in the drivers side shelf above the windshield. Opened up the plastic panels that cover the tape wrapped trunk line that runs up the door post under the trim panel. It is a bit tight but I've moved the trunk line and cannot see the 10ga red wire or a place where the insulation on the wires is being rubbed off.

Given that I have converted everything to LED, the 30amp wire seems to be a bit over-built. Tomorrow, I plan on cutting the 30amp line just past the lights above the sink counter to where it powers the "reading lamp" on the post above and behind the drivers seat and use the 12ga wire to power the electronics above the dash.

 

[SierraHawk]

Generally the two side power wires run up and to the top & have various taps off of it. I agree the white wire is ground and probably if you were to follow it back you would also see the power wire.

View attachment 981307

Thanks Greg. The schematic reflects what I understand the power distribution to be but I cannot find the red wire after it leaves the small enclosure under the bench seat in the back.

 

[1der]

Did you check for the red and white wire tucked in the edge of the headliner above the driver door by pulling the rubber seal down ? Consider checking that before cutting.

Are the ceiling /map lights working?