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Doug Johanns (Doug_j)
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Username: Doug_j

Post Number: 27
Registered: 8-2006
Posted From: 207.199.206.169

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Posted on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 6:19 pm:   

Started bus--4106 8-71--as normal to warm up for oil change, let it run on high idle, air up and went for a short spin to warm everything up. Shut her down did the spin on filter adapter change over spun on a full new filter and filled her up. Went in to start and only a click at the rear electrical panel. Checked all grounds and connections, everything tight. Batteries--8D's are both at 12.8. HELP!
Gus Causbie (Gusc)
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Username: Gusc

Post Number: 668
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 208.54.200.58

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Posted on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 6:51 pm:   

By pass the starter solenoid with a heavy cable like a jumper cable and see if the starter turns. The heavy cable to the solenoid is hot all the time - jump from it to the heavy starter post.

If it does your problem is the solenoid or the wiring from the relay to the solenoid.

Check the starter solenoid by grounding the small solenoid terminal to the engine. If the starter then turns you have a wiring problem from the solenoid to the relay.

To check the starter relay jump around it.

It could easily be just a bad relay connection in the rear elect panel, happens all the time
john w. roan (Chessie4905)
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Username: Chessie4905

Post Number: 1168
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 71.58.48.228


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Posted on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 11:32 pm:   

Sure that you didn't touch any of those engine compartment switches?
Gus Causbie (Gusc)
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Username: Gusc

Post Number: 669
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 208.54.200.43

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Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 12:14 am:   

John,

If those switch are off there should be no clicking - don't ask me how I know!! As I remember the rear "No start" switch cuts off power to the relay.

Clicking at the rear electrical panel is the starter relay so the starter solenoid should be working?

Since it isn't there is a problem between the relay and solenoid or the solenoid or starter is bad.

If the solenoid is getting power from the relay it should make a very loud click.

If the solenoid is working but the starter is bad the large lead from the solenoid to the starter should get hot when starting is attempted.
larry currier (Larryc)
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Username: Larryc

Post Number: 173
Registered: 2-2007
Posted From: 207.200.116.13

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Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 12:25 am:   

That large lead can also be loose and cause the same problem. If its the starter solenoid clicking and the big nut is tight, the brushes are likely used up. If you hold the switch on and tap the side of the starter case with a fair size hammer they will normally give up a few more starts.
Frank Allen (Frank66)
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Username: Frank66

Post Number: 80
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.13

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Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 8:41 am:   

there is a ground on the rear bulkhead that loves to get dirty, id take it off and clean it good.
Frank Allen
don (Bottomacher)
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Username: Bottomacher

Post Number: 169
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 72.15.86.59

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Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 10:37 am:   

Tight connections are good, but they also have to be clean. The starter gets pretty nasty, and Frank is so right about that ground bolt.
don (Bottomacher)
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Username: Bottomacher

Post Number: 170
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Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 10:38 am:   

Forgot to mention- another good thing to check is corrosion of the wire INSIDE the wire terminal, very common near the coastal areas.
Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
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Username: Buswarrior

Post Number: 1304
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 76.68.134.96


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Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 10:39 am:   

Yes, all lovely ideas, but you were messing with it prior to failure.

What did you touch? Go back and untouch it.

Strange coincidences do happen, but I'd be calling this self inflicted until proven otherwise.

You touched some wires somewhere....

happy coaching!
buswarrior
George M. Todd (George_mc6)
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Username: George_mc6

Post Number: 454
Registered: 8-2006
Posted From: 76.91.197.153

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Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 10:58 am:   

Doug,
BW just got my vote.
Your bus is equipped with a start relay, and a start solenoid. With a click in the rear, the relay is working, the solenoid probably isn't.
Check the "rear start, and rear run" switches for proper position first. Then check the small wire from the relay to the starter solenoid. I don't advise a jump on the cable terminals first, as it will cause a lot of sparks, and burn mark on the stud, which will cause problems when you go to remove the nut later.
I too feel you have disturbed something, the chances of this being a coincidence are very high.
Auto trans in neutral?
George
Doug Johanns (Doug_j)
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Username: Doug_j

Post Number: 28
Registered: 8-2006
Posted From: 207.199.206.169

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Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 11:07 am:   

I'll keep you posted...Headed to the bus now it's at the farm 38 miles from home.
Gus Causbie (Gusc)
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Username: Gusc

Post Number: 671
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 208.54.200.148

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Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 4:00 pm:   

Good point about the sparks. I forgot to mention that I usually screw two throw-away nuts onto the tops of the lugs and use an old iron bar so I don't care if it sparks.

If you're quick it doesn't spark much anyway.

However, it is better to start at the relay because it causes the most problems.

From the driver's seat it is hard to tell just exactly where the clicking is.
Doug Johanns (Doug_j)
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Username: Doug_j

Post Number: 29
Registered: 8-2006
Posted From: 207.199.206.169

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Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 7:14 pm:   

She's up and running again! All it was, was a loose hot cable to the solenoid, 3-4 turns and we were in business. Great info guys and thanks.
R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
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Username: Chuckllb

Post Number: 298
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 4.240.214.101

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Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 8:50 pm:   

:-):-):-):-):-):

Thanx, guys!!!!!!!!!

RCB

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