No Start- Of course... Any suggestions

[Tully Lee]

So I  have had my bus parked outside the last couple of weeks.  Have started it every other day to keep batteries and all up to charge.

Go out today and start-  batteries run down.  Put the batteries on a charger and after an hour go out.  Cranking and bus finally starts.  It is a little rough idle for about a minute then smooths out.  I go into
my office to let it warm up.  Go out 10 minutes latter and it is not running?  So, I go to start.  Batteries are a little too low.  I put it on 200 AMP Jump start and it spins just fine fut will not fire up not. 

Could the fuel be frozen and this is the reason for a no start?  It is around between 20-30 degrees today.

What would you suggest.  It is a 1990 Prevost with a Detroit Silver Twin Turbo.

Thanks,

Tully

[robertglines1]

if you do not have 12 volt minimun to ddec it will not run..check battery voltage individually .don't remember which battery 12 volt tap comes off of. were you on fast idle?

[Tully Lee]

Never had a chance to put it on fast idle.  When I came out she was not running.  I have a 12/24 volt sytem with four chassis batteries.  Not certain if they are in series or parallel.... but if the bus was running would the alt. not have kicked in to start charging right away?

Sounds almost like there is no spark (fire)... just spinning with not start up.

Tully

[Tully Lee]

Just tried to crank it over again.  It spins real free the engine but just is not catching.  If the fuel has frozen would and could this be the problem?  If it is, what type of treatment could I put in the fuel?

Tully

[Tully Lee]

Is it ok to press the gas pedal all the way down while cranking? I know on fuel injected engines you are not suppose to do that?

Tully

[robertglines1]

there is a seperate breaker for 12 volt feed to DDEC II  or some actually had a inline fuse close to batt connection...ck next to 12 volt switch in rear bay close to vanner and ck on vanner for reset.  make sure rear start switch is in correct position.I'll get bk out and ck to see if I can find exact locations.  Bob

[thomasinnv]

I am certainly no expert, but I don't think you should have fuel problems @ 30 deg.  I'm not sure about prevo's but on mci's the alt will not charge until the air is built up in the system and the low air alarm silences.  fwiw, I never let my engine idle.  I either have my foot on the pedal or the high idle is on.  I will hold it at a fast idle when i fire it up until there is enough air to trigger the fast idle plunger.  just my way.  DD don't like to idle.  Try removing the power from the ddec for a few minutes and see if it resets.  Are you getting any smoke while cranking the engine?  If so then you are getting fuel.

[Tully Lee]

Just had it start for like five seconds and then shut down again.  So I am a little confused on this one.

Tully

[robertglines1]

are your batteries in the rh engine compartment? 3 serries 31's

[robertglines1]

ck water level in tank-to low will start and shut off.    happen to me.   Bob 

[Tully Lee]

I have (4) batteries in the back passenger side of the bus.  Getting a little to cold and a little frustrated so I will re-address first thing A.M.

Thanks so much for the fast replies.

Tully

[robertglines1]

should be 6 breakers thru frame right rear lug bay  front two are 12 volt. do ck water level in tank  sometimes the simple things cause major aggravation  Bob

[Tully Lee]

When you say water level you meaning the antifreez level?  Correct?

Thanks,

Tully

[robertglines1]

yes in the tank it has a low coolant sensor that will shut you down or won"t let you start/will turn over but not start.If in doubt dump a little in . I know the sight glass give a false look when they get old.  Bob

[Tully Lee]

First thing in the A.M. will check these items out and give an update.  Great website!  Busnuts stick together and that I dig...

Tully