Re: 1998 Safari Sahara Head Lights Not Working

[waltons@ymail.com]

'
Greetings,

Hoping somebody could help me here...

Newly acquired motorhome - Just now realized my headlights aren't working. Anybody know who the supplier is of the light switch, where I just start looking first, or if there's some shut off I'm missing?

Thanks,

-Joel
1998 Safari Sahara 3044
3126 Cat / Purchased Sept 28th  2019

'

[TD]

'Joel,

I don't know if the newer Safaris take the same switch as my '95
Serengeti, but the head light switch on my coach is a mid '80s Ford
truck/Full size Bronco switch.

There are wiring diagrams in the files section that will show what you
will need to test and check for.

John
'95 Serengeti, Cummins C8.3-300
Allison 6spd

On 10/11/19, waltons@... [Safarifriends]
wrote:

> Greetings,
>
>
> Hoping somebody could help me here...
>
>
> Newly acquired motorhome - Just now realized my headlights aren't working.
> Anybody know who the supplier is of the light switch, where I just start
> looking first, or if there's some shut off I'm missing?
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> -Joel
> 1998 Safari Sahara 3044
> 3126 Cat / Purchased Sept 28th 2019
>
>
>

'

[waltons@ymail.com]

'Thanks John,I'll check that out.
I know these chassis manufacturers often use common components from conventional vehicles, do we know if the Magnum folks used more GM or Ford of a mixture and in what years. My 98 Sahara feels very GM, at least the dash controls and radio seems to be. 
Sorry for the questions, don't really have anybody to ask - One of the reasons I guess people buy new ones.
-JoelNew Owner 98 Sahara 3044'

[Gary Smith]

'Joel,You will find lots of information about your Sahara in the files section.  Most of it put here by Jim Exler, who was an owner of a 30 foot 1998 Sahara.  Suggest you take the time to familiarize yourself with those files.  I downloaded and printed off quite a few and put them in a 3-ring binder I carry in my Sahara, never can tell when they may turn a situation around and solve a problem. 

Gary'98 Sahara 3006 300CAT

On Sat, Oct 12, 2019 at 7:37 AM waltons@... [Safarifriends] wrote:
 
Thanks John,I'll check that out.
I know these chassis manufacturers often use common components from conventional vehicles, do we know if the Magnum folks used more GM or Ford of a mixture and in what years. My 98 Sahara feels very GM, at least the dash controls and radio seems to be. 
Sorry for the questions, don't really have anybody to ask - One of the reasons I guess people buy new ones.
-JoelNew Owner 98 Sahara 3044

--
Gary Smith
'

[TD]

'Joel,

Don't be sorry to ask, this is what this group is for, and there are
plenty of us here, so ask away.

Dash parts are a mixed bag for sure. Later models like you have are
more GM parts but still a mix. On my coach, the ignition switch is GM,
headlight switch is Ford, and the dash controls are Chrysler, the old
push button type. Lol.

Gary hit the nail on the head, the files section is your best friend,
especially all the endless amazing diagrams that are posted and drawn
by Jim Exler. He is a wealth of knowledge and a huge asset in the
electrical/electronics and drawings, but he understandably gets cranky
when members don't use those files.

Btw, if people can afford to buy a new coach, have at it. Most of the
new glitzy RVs will not be around in 20 to 30 years, and from all the
feedback regarding trying to get warranty work done. There is much
less knowledge with these new units and they are much more complex, so
pick your poison.

Anyway, check the diagrams out and start testing for power at the self
resetting circuit breaker, switch, etc.

John
'95 Serengeti
Cummins C8.3
Allison 6spd

On 10/12/19, waltons@... [Safarifriends]
wrote:

> Thanks John, I'll check that out.
>
>
> I know these chassis manufacturers often use common components from
> conventional vehicles, do we know if the Magnum folks used more GM or Ford
> of a mixture and in what years. My 98 Sahara feels very GM, at least the
> dash controls and radio seems to be.
>
>
> Sorry for the questions, don't really have anybody to ask - One of the
> reasons I guess people buy new ones.
>
>
> -Joel
> New Owner 98 Sahara 3044
>

'

[Gary Smith]

'Joel,Magnum was a wholely owned subsidiary of Safari Motorcoach (SMC).  SMC also owned another subsidiary who's function was to build the wire looms for the coaches.  Magnum built the frame rails assembly.  From my build sheet, SMC added he engine, transmission, axles, steering, fuel tank, and everytthing else, in their assembly  .  Parts came from the truck and automotive world, where ever they could get an adequate supply. of what they could use.   An example of this is the BMW series 5, 6, 7 headlights from the early 1990s that were used in the 2003-2008 Safari Treks, or the 1986-1989 Ford Bronco headlights that were used in the 1998 Sahara with slides, while the non-slide 1998 Sahara had different headlights.  Some of the components are difficult to ID and out of production by the original manufacturer, but may exist in the aftermarket.  

Gary'98 Sahara 3006 300CAT

On Sat, Oct 12, 2019 at 10:29 AM TD sdjhtm@... [Safarifriends] wrote:
 
Joel,

Don't be sorry to ask, this is what this group is for, and there are
plenty of us here, so ask away.

Dash parts are a mixed bag for sure. Later models like you have are
more GM parts but still a mix. On my coach, the ignition switch is GM,
headlight switch is Ford, and the dash controls are Chrysler, the old
push button type. Lol.

Gary hit the nail on the head, the files section is your best friend,
especially all the endless amazing diagrams that are posted and drawn
by Jim Exler. He is a wealth of knowledge and a huge asset in the
electrical/electronics and drawings, but he understandably gets cranky
when members don't use those files.

Btw, if people can afford to buy a new coach, have at it. Most of the
new glitzy RVs will not be around in 20 to 30 years, and from all the
feedback regarding trying to get warranty work done. There is much
less knowledge with these new units and they are much more complex, so
pick your poison.

Anyway, check the diagrams out and start testing for power at the self
resetting circuit breaker, switch, etc.

John
'95 Serengeti
Cummins C8.3
Allison 6spd

On 10/12/19, waltons@... [Safarifriends]
wrote:
> Thanks John, I'll check that out.
>
>
> I know these chassis manufacturers often use common components from
> conventional vehicles, do we know if the Magnum folks used more GM or Ford
> of a mixture and in what years. My 98 Sahara feels very GM, at least the
> dash controls and radio seems to be.
>
>
> Sorry for the questions, don't really have anybody to ask - One of the
> reasons I guess people buy new ones.
>
>
> -Joel
> New Owner 98 Sahara 3044
>

--
Gary Smith
'

[Bill Edwards]

'Switch is available from NAPA I believe it is a Ford part... Reach up and on top there is a button, press it and pull the knob out. Now You can pull retaining nut and drop switch and unplug. Take it with you to obtain another.
Bill Edwards1999 Panther'

[waltons@ymail.com]

'Thanks Bill,
That's good information. I'll start on the lights.
-Joel1998 Sahara 3044'

[waltons@ymail.com]

'Thanks John,
Hate being the new guy with the stupid questions.
The resource section of this group is amazing. Kind of get lost looking at it all. It's nice to see how many people contributed to all that information. Found a nice write up on installing high and low beam relays for the headlights. I may do that if the switch tends to be overloaded and prone to failure.
Thanks again for your reply.
-Joel Walton1998 Sahara 3044Placerville, CA'

[lotosrggp1]

'Joel,
Under the "hood" you will find a buss bar of electrical connections, (see Jim's schematics) make sure the connections are tight. Also check ground connections. Are the lights good? Is it both low and high beams? When you get it working consider adding relays and larger wire to power the lights.
Tom
97 Sahara 3550'