GM 4104 Starting Problem Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Edit Profile

BNO BBS - BNO's Bulletin Board System » THE ARCHIVES » Year 2004 » December 2004 » GM 4104 Starting Problem « Previous Next »

Author Message
Frank Gonzalez

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 11:52 am:   

Have had my coach for three months. I'm in a cold climate and I can't get it started. My partner checked the batteries and they are fully charged. When trying to start, a clicking sound is heard coming from the right side of the engine. I also need some help on engine block heater ( 6V92 ) on how to go about doing this project. Are there any 4104 owners in the Spokane, WA area ? Any help will be appreciated.

Frank
Nine Mile Falls, WA ( Stevens County )
Frank Allen

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 1:14 pm:   

start at the battery and clean the conection all the way to the starter, dont over look the grounds, they all need to be clean. You are most likely loosing through poor connections, let us know what happens, should be able to get a block heater at a truck parts place thats wgere i got mine
Frank Allen
4106
mel 4104

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 3:05 pm:   

as stated check ALL your battery cables, be sure that you clean the ground connection no the back bulkhead, this is the one that every one over looks and it isthe one that causes the most trouble. and you say that you have a 6/92, that is very impresive power for a 4104 just be carefull that you donot hit the throttle hard as that much power will buckel the coach at the rear bulk head. i met a fellow that liked to be fast of the line and snap out and pass every one with his 6/92 in his 4104 and he split the sheeting at the rear bulk head which was a major job for the new owner to fix.
Henry R. Bergman, Jr. (Henryofcj)

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 3:48 pm:   

Also cold weather does effect the batteries. Put them on charge until you read at least 14.5 volts, then leave them there until they really boil. The excess energy will just be converted to battery heat which will help also.

I have the same problem kinda with my Crown. Mornings are about 22 degrees above and the Big Cam Cummins does crank slowly. Starts OK, but the cold does effect things. Having cold batteries does not help any. Good luck.
TWODOGS (Twodogs)

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 6:57 pm:   

IF IT'S BELOW 30....use a block heater....know you have plans...but...just a reminder to use it
Pete RTS/Daytona

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 7:00 pm:   

Hi,

After you find your starter circuit problem:


Ran across this in the lastest JC Whitney flyer - for you poor "cold weather folks"

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/CatalogOrderSearch?
sku=sl541200p&storeId=10101&catalogId=10101 2000w water heater

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/CatalogOrderSearch?
sku=sl540692r&storeId=10101&catalogId=10101 1500w water heater

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/CatalogOrderSearch?
sku=sl540691a&storeId=10101&catalogId=10101 100w water heater

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/CatalogOrderSearch?
sku=sl540036r&storeId=10101&catalogId=10101 750w water heater


These are Tank Type engine heaters that need to be plumbed into the heating system.
There should be enough convection to circulated the heated antifreeze
thru the engine and radiator - if not the heater circulation pump
could be wired to a relay and a small 24 dc power supply attached to
the same 110 A/C line


or

here's a magnetic 200w oil pan heater - quick / easy / simple

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/CatalogOrderSearch?
sku=sl541460p&storeId=10101&catalogId=10101 200w oil pan heater

Pete RTS Daytona - 70 degress today folks
._____________
/_][][]/__/[]_| 1989 RTS-II T70206 6V92-TA DDEC-II V731 4.10/24.5
*--O--------O-* Daytona FL.-Hard Beaches/Soft Women (386)672-0571
mclough

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 9:59 pm:   

another thing to check is that your starter is good. do you have the type that you can start manually? sometimes wires to starter are not good.
BrianMCI

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Saturday, December 04, 2004 - 11:55 pm:   

First of all, people, please don't boil your batteries, I don't care how cold it is.

Boiling batteries is indeed generating heat, but if it's that cold and your batteries are getting warm, you are about to warp the lead plates inside the batteries.

The best way to charge a battery even in a cold climate is to slow charge them for 10 or 12 hours.

Batteries will respond to 2 amps trickle charged into them over a number of hours when they are close to their last gasp.

Brian
califbob

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Sunday, December 05, 2004 - 12:30 am:   

I forgot the name of the company but you have the largest maker of block heaters in the US right there in Spokane.
I picked mine up ther. Look in the Spokane yellow pages
FAST FRED

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Sunday, December 05, 2004 - 5:16 am:   

After an unsucessful start attempt , GENTLY !!! touch all the battery terminals and esp the ground.

The one thats HOT is theproblem one.

FAST FRED
Frank Gonzalez

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, December 06, 2004 - 5:51 pm:   

Thank you to all who replied to my post. I had already tried all the suggestions with no luck. I suspect a bad solenoid or a bad starter. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Frank,
Nine Mile Falls, WA
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces)

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Tuesday, December 07, 2004 - 1:53 am:   

You might be able to test the starter motor, cables and batteries by taking the cap off of the solenoid (flywheel end) and shoving the fork in with a broom handle to see if the engine will crank over.

If it cranks, you are looking for something else, from the solenoid on back to the master control. If it doesn't crank, then your failure is likely in the power supply to the starter or the starter motor.

One of the most common reasons for the solenoid to click without the engine cranking is a worn contactor or bolt in the solenoid. If they are the problem, the solenoid will pull in, but power is not passed to the motor. You can also get this symptom from a fork adjustment that is not right.

You can field repair a solenoid that needs it, but you might want to put a new one on instead. I think they're around $50, and commonly available from rebuilders and parts houses. Watch out for the fork adjustment; it needs to be set according to the book.

For what it's worth.

Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576
Suncatcher

Add Your Message Here
Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration