| Author |
Message |
Robert Wayne Aviles (243bbus)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 6:37 pm: | |
I have an 1988 International/Carpenter school bus, and just recently, my tail lights and markers went out (at the same time). I've been replacing fuses and bulbs with no prior bus electrical knowledge, so it'll pass inspections, ect. When I drove it recently, I noticed my markers flash off, come on once, and flash off again. It was later that day I discovered my tail lights were also out, as I performed my walk-around. I still have headlights. I have a feeling it's a wire problem. But I was curious to know if the markers and tail lights wired together. I thank you for any info on this curious problem. |
Mark R. Obtinario (Cowlitzcoach)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 7:02 pm: | |
Unless there is a separate switch to turn on the markers (not likely), all of the lights (head, tail, dash, and markers) turn on by way of the IHC in dash switch.
Most likely if you pull the switch out you will find the rheostat for dimming the dash lights has turned green. If it hasn't turned green the plug into the switch may be loose. Or the individual wires are loose in the plug.
I have had all three types of problems on the same bus at different times.
The switch location in the middle of the dashboard lends itself to getting wet just from sweating. If you have any leaks between the IHC part of the bus and the Carpenter part of the bus it just begs to leak down over the headlight swith and then it is good bye headlight switch.
If you have to replace the switch, replacement switches are readily available from most auto/truck supply stores. I know they are available from NAPA for under $20.00.
Let us know what you find out.
Mark O. |
Geoff (Geoff)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 7:07 pm: | |
Try turning and wiggling the headlight pull knob with the lights on and see if it affects the clearance/tail lights (yes, on your school bus they are connected together). If that doesn't do anything you probably have one of the hot wires to the clearance/tail lights grounding out and popping the automatic reset fuse.
--Geoff
'82 RTS AZ |
John MC9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 7:45 pm: | |
Check the ground(s)? The headlamps usually are not
grounded at their mounts, but the markers, tail and stops are. |
Robert Wayne Aviles (243bbus)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 8:17 pm: | |
I still have brake lights, John. It's just tails and markers that are out but still, thank you. I'll check on those. I'm trying to do this all with no wire guides to help. Busnut.com has really been a big help to me, and again thanks to the many "busers" out there for sharing their wisedom with this "bus rookie". :^)
The bus, "American Pride", is still quite a ways from it's first outting. I need all the help I can get. Thanks again. |
David Dulmage (Daved)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 8:55 am: | |
Tail lights are generally fused separately from headlights (which have a circuit breaker) so it's not unusual to still have headlights working and no tailights. Brake lights and signals generally are on separate circuits as well. Headlight switches are often multiple pole switches, so although the action of turning on all the lights may be done with one switch, the circuits are completed by different contacts. In automotive circuits it's not unusual for the switch to complete the circuit to ground.
Hope this helps
Dave Dulmage |
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