| Author |
Message |
jd_boggs
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 1:03 am: | |
Bought a new set of batteries because the Bus wouldn't start. They were already over 5 years old and had them load tested. The fellow at the shop said that they were "marginal". So, I decided to get fresh batteries anyway. On the dash board, I'm getting the "No Gen" light and the "Motorguard" light on also.
The man at the alternator repair place said to try and jumper the solenoid terminal to the positive bolt on the starter. Which I did. Got a few sparks but no "click" and no engine turn. I expected at least the solenoid to engage and a "click".
This is a 1981 Grumman/Flex.
Where could Look next?
PS
I read the thread about another bus that won't turn bacause of weather. Tried all those things already. And got new batteries. |
Eric Plourde
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 1:14 am: | |
I had a similar problem which I struggled with for ages. Turned out it was the battery cabels. The connection was OK but with a new set with fresh solder it fires up even in the cold. An unknowing guess.
Eric
Cowboy game
4106 |
TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 7:11 am: | |
try moveing the shifter as you try to start |
Stan
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 8:39 am: | |
Since DD starters are not grounded internally, you should have both battery cables connected directly to the starter. Positive cable to the solenoid and ground cable to the ground terminal on the starter.
A short cable goes from the starter ground to the chassis ground and a hot cable goes from the solenoid hot terminal to the terminal feeding the rest of the bus. This is the only way to ensure that you do not have any high resistance connections between the batteries and the starter. Never depend on the chassis as a ground point for the starter.
As well as electrical checks, put a big wrench on the crankshaft nut and make sure the engine is free to turn. |
Kevin Allen, Nebus (91flyer)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 11:02 am: | |
This isn't from experience on a diesel bus, but I had this problem on my gas fired bus.... turned out the selenoid on the starter went bad... it would click, but nothing happened. If I got out and smacked it with a breaker bar, it'd fire up... it eventually gave out completely and I ended up replacing the starter and selenoid both....
Have you tried using a remote starter switch on the starter to see if this is what's happening on yours? Have you tested the starter itself to make sure it's working?
Just some guesses from someone inexperienced...
-Kevin |
Nick Morris (Nick3751)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 - 9:02 pm: | |
On my silverside the motogard has been removed but according to the book in some cases the starter relay would not be charged thus no power to the starter or at least not enough to activate the selenoid. Just a thought don't really have a clue. |
james dean boggs (Jd_boggs)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 12:44 am: | |
FOUND the PROBLEM. Thank you for your help.
Smacking the starter with a hammer works!
Turns out that the nut on the positive bolt on the solenoid was just "hand tight". They didn't torque it down properly when the starter was installed. I saw sparks come out of the nut and jumper strap. It had pitted and corroded for years. Until I got it.
I've had an intermittent starter for months. It finally got stuck in the "dead" mode. Makes it easier to diagnose.
Thanks for your help. |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 - 12:56 am: | |
If you use a voltmeter or light tester on the hot and ground cables while connecting a jumper cable between the two big terminals on the solenoid, and the light or meter continues to show about 12 volts, you have proven that your problem is in the starter assembly somewhere.
If you use a jumper cable between the two big terminals on the solenoid and the starter spins, you will have proved the solenoid is not working.If the starter does not spin, you will have proved that it is bad.
If the light or meter shows very little voltage left when you jumper the solenoid terminals, your cables are not supplying power to the starter.
From there, it should be easy to find. Good luck.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576
Suncatcher |