regrus
Edmonton Alberta Canada
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Joined: 09/07/2004
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It's a long story but if you own a 2003 to 2008 Jayco Seneca with the house batteries in last compartment right rear there is a national recall about to be announced.
This recall will affect about 1700 Seneca's built to date.
The wiring harness attached to the batteries may wear thru from rubbing between the metal battery holder and the compartment door.
I left my 2007 Jayco Seneca at a southwest USA dealer for some warranty work. After sitting at the dealership for over two weeks while waiting for parts, one afternoon it just caught on fire while parked and turned off.
With other units parked all around my Seneca it was lucky for everyone the fire happened when the dealership was open and someone noticed smoke coming from the battery compartment. They opened the compartment and it erupted into flames. The damage was extensive.
Upon inspection it was determined that a wiring harness (Jayco calls it a loom) had rubbed thru causing a short and the fire.
Both the dealership and I thought Jayco would/should fix the damage under warranty. Unbelievably they refused any responsibility stating to me that and I quote "it is the customers responsibility to ensure that wiring harnesses in concealed compartments are not exposed to chafing".
I couldn't believe the pompous attitude of the warranty person at Jayco. I advised him I wanted my unit fixed and I advised him that I was giving him and Jayco one week to reconsider their decision or I would be reporting the problem and the fire to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with the result being likely to cost them a lot more money than just fixing my unit. This pompous Jayco clerk stated he didn't care what I reported or to who.
The week went by and Jayco never called back. I then reported the incident to the NHTSA via email on a Friday and by Monday afternoon they were telephoning me from Washington D.C. The NHTSA asked for pictures of the fire damage and advised me they were going to send out inspectors to view other Seneca models in the Washington D.C. area.
Three weeks have gone by and yesterday I received a phone call from the dealer stating Jayco had called him and was going to fix my Seneca at their cost.
Today I received a phone call from the NHTSA in Washington to advise me that upon their inspections other Jayco Seneca's had problems with the wiring and Jayco will be issuing a national recall on all affected units. They thanked me for reporting my problem.
Now Jayco has a problem with 1700 units instead of just fixing one as I suggested. Hope the Jayco guy still has his job.
* This post was
edited 05/07/08 09:50pm by regrus *
2007 Jayco Seneca 34SS with Tracker Toad
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Economical Handyman
S. California
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Joined: 02/19/2004
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Thanks, for the info, my neighbor was dealing on one this past week. Will send him your posting.
DeWayne & Judy
04 3810 DS 370
Frank's autoformer
01 Sahara Jeep-toad
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BEVAR
Lake Worth, FL
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Joined: 03/21/2007
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Can you post the pics of the damage and where to check for chafing?
Thanks,
Beave
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JohnInAz
Arizona
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Joined: 03/20/2007
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It was the right thing to do (report to NHSTA) no matter how Jayco responded. I too am interested in what I should look for in my rig. BTW, was the dealer world wide rv in Mesa?
2007 Jayco Seneca 34SS
2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
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az99
N.Y.
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Joined: 12/26/2006
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Where did the wires rub thru ? Mine has a length of black wire loom material over the cables. My first impression when I opened that compartment was- Holy******is that the best they could do for running battery cables that can start a fire. I added some additional wire ties and tried to get the cables from rubbing on the door and also rubbing on the edge of the angle iron battery tray. Mine looked like it would be more likely to rub thru where the cable pack was rubbing the angle iron. If they are all wired as poorly as mine was I can surely believe a fire started.
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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Sounds like installing a fusible link at the battery / ies would be at least a temporary patch. When I installed a 2nd house battery in a seperate compartment in one of my previous B's, I fused both ends of the added positive lead, just for peace of mind.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
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regrus
Edmonton Alberta Canada
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az99 wrote:Where did the wires rub thru ? Mine has a length of black wire loom material over the cables. My first impression when I opened that compartment was- Holy******is that the best they could do for running battery cables that can start a fire. I added some additional wire ties and tried to get the cables from rubbing on the door and also rubbing on the edge of the angle iron battery tray. Mine looked like it would be more likely to rub thru where the cable pack was rubbing the angle iron. If they are all wired as poorly as mine was I can surely believe a fire started.
Your description of where my wire loom rubbed thru is much better than mine and is exactly what happened.
The loom rubbed thru the protective cover material by rubbing against the edge of the angle iron battery tray and the compartment door when the door was closed causing the fire.
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BillyP
Cedar Point, NC
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The response you received from Jayco does not surprise me in the least. I like our 35GS and plan to keep it for a long time... but our next motorhome will not be a Jayco. I wouldn't take another product from them if they tried to give it to me.
05 Jayco Seneca 35GS/22k Kodiak/6.6 Duramax
04 Jeep Rubicon Automatic
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BEVAR
Lake Worth, FL
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I just went over to the storage joint and checked on mine and it seems fine. No rubbing or wear marks...so I guess I am/was lucky.
Maybe in '06 they did it differently.
Beave
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G7ARYM
MISSION VIEJO
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Joined: 03/22/2007
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The extra coiled cable which allows for the extension of the battery tray rests in a space between the batteries and the leveling jacks fluid reservoir. I have looked at how the cable is coiled every time the battery tray goes back in to make sure the protective wrap and not the cables are resting against anything sharp. I may have to take another look for any wear on the wrap. Do not want to risk a fire on a rig we are very happy with.
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