8V92 won't start

[Merlin]

Any suggestions to point me in the right direction on this vexing situation?  Here are the facts:
(1) engine has been running great nearly every day for several months ... started every time in about 1/4 turn with pre-heating
(2) aired up the bus with aux compressor as I normally do, bags were up and bus was level
(3) turned the key ... zilch ...
(4) tried the rear start switch and button ... zilch
(5) not a groan or any indication that the starter was trying to turn
(6) batteries are new (four months ago), and all cables are clean, tight and connections are well protected with Vaseline
(7) voltmeter tells me there is nearly 25 volts across the four batteries
( batteries have always been connected to a battery minder that is claimed to keep them "stirred up"
(9) bus was properly shut down in neutral (Allison 5 speed), and air brake applied, tag axle down
(10) to be sure there is air in the system in case the aux compressor somehow did not get air to the controls in the engine compartment, I used an air hose to fill the rear air tank.  It seemed to be up, but just in case I did it manually.

Now what?

Starter solenoid problem?  If so how do I test it or better yet how to jump around it without frying myself or something else of value?

I'm writting this from an RV park in Alabama where there is no panic to get the problem cured but sooner or later, I think my wife would like to get on the road again.

We phoned the road service insurance people this morning and they promptly sent out a little guy in a pick-up with a tiny 12v battery to "jump start" the bus.  Sigh ...   Even after my careful explanation of the situation and the fact that the bus is 24v.  The perplexed road service guy was kind enough to give me a phone number of a fellow who might know something about 8V92's.  This is comforting ... especially the "might" part.

Such is the tale of bus ownership, I guess.

[eddiepotts]

I know this is the silly point but you did not say anything about checking the main power switch. Somebody may be playing a joke on you. If your not getting any noise from the solenoid you need to see if getting power to it when you push the starter button. If not trace it back to the batteries and find the disconnect. If getting power to it then you can bet the solenoid is not kicking in. Tap it with something and try again while tapping.

[fe2_o3]

Do you have voltage at the starter? Do you have voltage at the engine master switch? Are you DDEC?. Fuses? Battery master switch? Sorry for the generalities, that is where I started when it happened to us...Cable

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Also move your gearshift lever back and forth a bit. Sometimes mine looks like it is in neutral but is just a hair off and the bus won't fire.

[bevans6]

In my bus there is a relay that switches power to the solenoid.  It's in engine bay electrical panel.  I don't know what bus you have so no idea where yours might be.

I would at least try jumping positive voltage to the activate terminal on the starter solenoid to see if the starter motor works.  If it does, start working backwards from there.  basically to that relay, then to the rear starter switch, etc.

Brian

[robertglines1]

ck neutral switch on side of trans that wire has broken on my 1978 MCI   also in top front box under drivers window there should be a solenoid (like the old ford type) that supplies power when switch is turned on to big delivery post. should click when you move switch and have power to both sides.

[Van]

Chasis to starter grounds

[papatony]

what year and make bus

[white-eagle]

same thing happened last year with ours.  i started it up and moved it back under the shade at walmart.  20 min later when fran arrived with the groceries, it wouldn't start.  Tried all the tricks, then called Coachnet.  Lakeland's Central Florida Bus (at my suggestion to Coachnet) showed up in about 1/2 hour and put in rebuilt started after testing a few things also.  and life was good again.

[Cary and Don]

We had a similar thing that went on for awhile.  It would start just fine one time and not the next,  usually when the engine was hot.  Turned out the wire that went from the relay on the bulk head to the starter solenoid  was bad.  Easy fix,  just took forever to figure it out.

Don and Cary
GMC 4107
Neoplan AN340

[chart1]

1.need to check voltage 2 turn the key while moving shifter back in forth slowly in the nuetral position. If there is power at the starter you should hear some kind of clicking if you have voltage. If it is the neutral saftey switch you will not hear anything.

[chart1]

where are you in Alabama.

[gus]

You need to start at the starter and work forward.

You also need to let us know what bus and engine you have.

Starter relays seem to be the most common problem. As posted already, this is in addition to the starter solenoid. If the relay fails everything fails. You can jump across its terminals to find out quickly if it has failed.

[chart1]

Yes a big heavy duty screw driver is the perfect testing tool if you have voltage at the solenoid.

[luvrbus]

No clicking and good  voltage check the small wire at the bottom of the solenoid it is supposed to be hot when the stater button is pressed they are bad about coming lose or breaking just another place for you to check


good luck