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Infield Atlanta… No start!
Came down to the car race in Atlanta. Parked in the infield all weekend. Bus ran like a top on the way down here. Started it every day for a little bit. Started it at about 11pm last night for about half an hour. Then shut down and went to bed. Woke up this morning and went to start the bus… Nothing. All lights and gauges look as they should. But nothing. No click. No turnover. Showing 25 volts on the gauge. All lights are bright.
Tried rear start. Put my two battery chargers on, just in case. Even tried jumping the solenoid. No love. Have a 24v charger on it now from a bus nearby. Hoping to get out of here tonight. Anyone have any thoughts, or does it sound like my starter has gone bad? We checked all connection to be sure they were tight, and they all checked on a meter to have the juice they are supposed to have.
Any ideas? Feel free to post here or call me. 661-809-2463
Thanks!
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21 Replies
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Have you tried that toogle switch on dash for emergency start you get you out of a bind. Mine died a few years ago and wouldn’t do nothing. Low coolant level. Hit button and moved it and went to checking. That’s what I found. Filled tank That was below sensor and have’t had it happen again. Didn’t even know it was there until then. Mine’s a 1991. Hope you get her figured out.
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Thanks for the suggestion, I did try the override button. Still no love. Just went and tried it after sitting for ann ours ona 24v charger. This time, the solenoid on the starter did click, but nothing else.
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Sounds like you may have a shorted out Chassis battery. Unhook them individually to load test. If one is shorted out, you won’t be able to jump it, but they will usually show charged when you have a charger on them. Usually, you can jump start with chassis batteries though. By the starter now clicking, sounds like you may have battery or cable problems somewhere.
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with the key turned to start give the starter a rap on the side with a hammer.
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My money is on a short in one or more of the chassis batteries. Had a similar situation with our coach at a fuel island in New Mexico last summer. Once we changed out the set of batteries that are wired to run the DD computer, we had a good start. Replaced all 4 batteries, and has been fine ever since, but sure had me scratching my head for a bit. And I don’t shut down at fuel islands anymore either.
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I just tried it again, and I did notice the battery light on the dash is on. Sounds like that may be the culprit. Is there a way to load test batteries without specialty equipment?
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ac dc voltage meter on board? Borrow one from one of the rv boys around you if they are still there. Be careful as you unhook those 12 volt cables off batteries to test.
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Not that I’m aware of, unless you have access to some of the fancy equipment in the garage area of one of the racing teams. I pulled them out, loaded them in the back of our Sport Trac (at the time) and took them to a NAPA store that fortunately was about 5 miles away. If you take that route, make sure you take photos of the wiring connections and diagram them completely. Very easy to get things hooked up incorrectly, especially if you’re frustrated and your memory is shot (like mine!!).
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Well, in true Southern fashion, all the nice folks around me have been trying to help. Including the folks on the big H3-45s with the race decks on top. (They have 12 of those here!) The most popular theory is that the starter solenoid is jammed against the flywheel. They say I need to get a big sockets nd pulls handle and turn the engine over and it will break it loose and be fine. Sounds crazy, but I actually had that happen to me a couple of hears ago on another bus I had. Turned the engine over at the crank and then it started right up. Just as now, I had spent alli day trying to get it started, even to including buying four new start batteries and it still wouldn’t turn over.
So the question is, does anyone have those tools and live close to Atlanta Motor Speedway? Or can any of you local folks suggest someone to call? I appreciate any input.
BTW, my new batteries are from NAPA. But I don’t have a toad or any way to get around. If it is a bad battery, that’s where I’d like to take them.
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8v92? Might have to call a heavy mobile mechanic. If you do make sure he’s seen a 2 stroke if that’s what you have. Keep us posted and let us know how you turn out. Did you put new batteries in today? That’s odd if there bad but could happen. In Texas wish I could help.
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Yeah, 8V92. Waiting for the sun to come up and gonna start calling people. Still think it might be so simple as turning the engine to dislodge the solenoid. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s gonna be simple. Hoping to bypass a $1000 roadside assistance call for something I could have done here if I had known. Wish me luck. haha
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Still no luck so far. And not even any luck on roadside assistance or mobile mechanic. Bus ownership is always an adventure! haha… If anyone has any suggestions, I’m pretty open yobthem at this point.
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If that solenoid is stuck wouldn’t a rap aginist starter dislodge it? Had one hang it on a small block engine and that’s what we did to disengage it from flywheel. Before I got out of hotrod to tap it, starter was toast. Good luck and let us know.
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I’d go to the basics. Verify good voltage at the batteries. Verify power to the starter relay in the rear electric box. Verify power at the solenoid for the starter, etc.
It is going to be solved with detective work.
You can turn an 8V92 over by hand because I have done it.
The lack of a “click” tells me there is an interruption in the power getting to the starter solenoid.
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All power has been verified and it is right where it is supposed to be… All the way to the solenoid. I did get a socket and turn the engine over manually, but that didn’t change anything. Also have beat the crap out of the solenoid with no change at all. Feeling more and more like the starter is toasted. Thanks to,those of you who have called me and offered assistance. I’ll let you know as soon as I find anything. At least it is a nice warm day to sit out here at the track.
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