RV Monitor Panel Troubleshooting: Causes and Fixes

RV monitor panel troubleshooting is a must-have guide for all new and old campers. It’ll help you to solve the common niggling problems that monitor panels present.

In this article, we’ll be sharing some of these common problems and ways you can fix them. Also, this article will cover some FAQs about RV monitor panels; therefore, read it to the end.

When is it Time For RV Monitor Panel Troubleshooting?

It is time for RV monitor panel troubleshooting when it develops issues like wiring problems, blown fuses, errors in configuration, dead battery, or bad tank sensors. However, you’ll need to test these components to determine which of them is the source of the problem before a Kib monitor panel troubleshooting.

Bad or Frayed RV Monitor Panel Wires

Bad wires are the most common reasons why an RV monitor panel will malfunction. Wires perform several functions, including carrying signals to and from various parts of the vehicle to the monitor. They also carry electrical power from the battery to keep the RV functioning. Thus, when they get damaged, the monitor panel won’t receive electrical energy to power its activities.

Usually, this is caused by old wires that may have outlived their prime. Other times, it is caused by substandard wires melted by high electrical current. To determine if the wires are the culprits here, you have to test them. To do that, first, turn off the RV monitor panel and test for continuity between all the wires connected to the monitor.

Next, connect the wire’s positive lead to the multimeter’s positive lead and do the same for the negative leads as well. Now, turn on the multimeter and set it to ohms and check the reading. If the value is 0, the wire is functioning properly. However, if the reading is higher than 0, then the wires are faulty and need replacement.

Blown RV Electrical Fuse

The fuse ensures that the monitor doesn’t receive excess power that’ll cause damage. Thus, when it blows up when it detects surplus energy that might be dangerous to the monitor. There are two simple ways you can detect a bad fuse. One requires a multimeter while the other doesn’t, but all methods give similar results.

First, you locate the fuse panel, which is close to the RV’s main electrical panel. Choose one fuse and test for continuity by connecting the multimeter’s terminals to the fuse. If the reading is above 0, then the fuse is blown and will require replacement. If you don’t have a multimeter to help you out, try the next method.

Remove the fuse and look through it with the help of a light source. Check if the metal strip inside the fuse is broken. If it is, then your fuse is blown and must be replaced with one that is of equal amperage. However, if the strip is intact, your fuse isn’t blown; thus, check other components of the monitor to find out the culprit.

RV Monitor Configuration Errors

If you don’t configure your RV monitor correctly, it might not function properly. Contact the RV’s manual to determine if you’ve made changes resulting in configuration errors. Check areas such as the display settings to see if you’ve enabled some features that were better left untouched. Go through the entire configuration and compare it with the one in the manual, ensuring that everything is correct.

If you identify a wrong setting, use the guidelines in the manual to correct it. If you don’t have a manual or have lost it, browse the internet for help. You can also contact a professional to help you out if you have trouble setting up the right configuration for your RV.

A Dead RV Battery

Sometimes a dead or low rv battery could be the reason why the monitor panel isn’t working. The battery powers all the electrical activities in the RV, and that includes the monitor panel. Leaving the headlights and dome lights on, extreme weather conditions or a faulty alternator can cause a low or dead battery. Other smaller components in the vehicle also constantly draw power from the battery in what is known as a parasitic drain.

An old battery that has lived past its prime can easily drain or die a few hours after charging. Also, leaving your vehicle parked for a long time with the battery still inside can cause it to die quickly. If you do have a dead battery, you can charge it or choose to replace it with a new one, depending on the cause of battery drainage. If your battery is past its prime, we will recommend buying a new one instead of charging it.

Bad Holding Tank Sensors

Maybe your monitor is working fine, but the sensors are fouled, making it look like your monitor is malfunctioning. Most RVs have three to four sensors informing the driver of the levels of liquid in the water holding tanks. These sensors can easily get fouled due to the raw sewage (also known as black water)in the black tank. Even the fresh water tank isn’t spared, as mineral buildup can clog up the sensors.

To test if the sensors are the main culprits, attach the end of an alligator clip lead to the lowest sensor and another end to the signal sensor (the one in the middle). This should illuminate the first light on the sensor monitor.

Next, enter the RV and press the monitor’s display button. If your 1/4 light illuminates, then it means your sensor isn’t working. You can repeat the same process for all the sensors, and each time, an additional light should illuminate. If the additional lights come up, your sensors need cleaning or replacement.

How To Troubleshoot an RV Monitor Panel

To troubleshoot an RV monitor panel, identify what is causing the panel to malfunction. You can replace bad panel wires, fuses, and even a dead car battery. However, if you want to know how to remove RV monitor panel, consult your car’s manual for guidance.

Replacing Damaged RV Wires

First, turn off the RV’s electrical power and disconnect all the devices connected to the power source. Next, disconnect the battery by removing the cables attached to the terminals. Don’t let the battery terminals touch any metal to avoid short circuits. Remove the monitor panel’s cover and identify the damaged wire.

Remove the damaged wire by disconnecting it from both ends. Place the damaged wire on the new one to measure its length and cut accordingly. Strip the insulation from both ends of the new wire and connect it to the right terminals according to the diagram in the manual. 

Remember to test the new wire to ensure it’s functioning properly. If it isn’t, repeat the process or call a professional for assistance. Once you’re done replacing the damaged wires, cover the RV monitor panel.

Replacing a Bad Fuse in the RV Monitor Panel

First, identify the damaged fuse and note its designation as specified in the manual’s diagram. Next, put off the RV’s electrical power before removing the affected fuse to ensure you won’t suffer any electrical shocks. Open the RV monitor panel and remove the affected fuse.

Replace it with a new one, making sure that it is in the same position as indicated in the car’s manual. Next, screw the tank monitor back into place and switch it on to see if it’s working.

Resetting the RV Monitor Panel

To perform a One Place monitor panel reset, turn off the power supply to the unit and switch off the breaker that powers the monitor panel. Ensure you disconnect all the cables and devices connected to the monitor unit and wait for about 10 minutes. After the time has elapsed, switch on the breaker and ensure that all other switches are set on default, especially if you’ve changed them.

Plug in all the cables and devices you disconnected earlier before turning on the breaker to power the monitor panel. Now, test the monitor panel to ensure it’s functioning. Ensure you do this after an RV monitor panel replacement.

How To Clean RV Tank Sensors

The sensors don’t usually malfunction, and even if they do, it might be due to the presence of debris on their surface. Though cleaning sensors is quite easy, each tank is cleaned differently. Therefore, check your car manual to discover how to clean your tank. Usually, the process involves filling up the tank, adding a cleaning agent or degreaser and leaving it overnight.

Once you’re done cleaning, test the sensors to ensure they’re functioning. If they’re not, repeat the process because there may be a residue of debris on the sensors. Cleaning the sensors multiple times will clear all impediments obstructing the sensors work. If all else fails, you can replace the sensor with the help of a professional.

Conclusion

The RV monitor panel helps you keep an eye on most of your RV’s system and functions, thus; its failure could affect the RV’s operations.

This article has discussed what causes the RV monitor malfunctions, and here’s a recap:

• Bad monitor panel wires, bad fuses, dead batteries, bad sensors and wrong configurations can impede the monitor panel’s functions.
• However, you can’t tell which component is causing the problem until you test each of them to establish the faulty one.
• Testing the monitor panel wires involves using a multimeter to measure the resistance while testing a blown fuse requires you to hold it up to a light source.
• Testing the tanks’ sensors is quite an elaborate process, and it involves running an electrical current through the sensors to illuminate the lights on the monitor panel.
• You can replace faulty monitor wires, dead batteries and damaged fuses with new ones, but the RV holding tank’s sensors only require cleaning to make them function again.

Remember to reset the system by switching the breaker that supplies power to the monitor panel off, and removing all connections for about 10 minutes. Once the time has elapsed, turn on the breaker and reconnect all the wires and cables to the monitor unit.