Won't Start DD S-40

[luvrbus]

Any update on the starting Jim,if you can borrow a Pro/Link I can send you the cartage for the engine I just cannot turn my Pro/link loose right now

[Lostranger]

Thanks for the kind offer, Clifford. Hopefully I can muddle through now that I know how to flash read the codes. Sorry it took me so long to respond, but life of late is extra chaotic.

Several have speculated that I may have a power supply issue to the ECM. Today I managed to get the connectors off the module and test for power. I grounded my multi tester to the block and read every pin. Some were hot, and those that were read within a couple hundredths of 11.5v. LuckyChow is of the opinion that this would be plenty of voltage to make the ECM work. I do not yet know which pins I was reading.

The faulty part of my check, obviously, is that I was not testing the ground wire(s) in the harness. I tried a jumper ground from the ECM case to the block, but that did not make it start. Maybe the electronics are isolated from the ECM case.

I had no luck finding where the ground wire terminates. The schematic is only that. I tried chasing the bundle but was not successful finding that number 150 wire. I suspect that it may ground to a negative battery buss beside the driver's seat and over the battery compartment. Tomorrow I plan to take all those connections loose and clean them. The same cavity beside the driver's seat is where the positive buss bars are located as well as the fuses on the battery cables. All the fuses I see test good.

The engine turns over fine, so the problem is probably not low batteries or faulty connections on the primary battery cables. Someone earlier mentioned that I'm getting codes from most engine sensors, and that could be an indication of either ECM trouble or low ECM power. A bad ground could cause that.

If anyone has a good idea of where that ground might terminate, I'd love to know it.

Thanks again for all the help.

Jim

[Lostranger]

Time for an update even if I don't have much to report.

Still not running, but I think I've turned the corner. This morning I pulled the ECM and drove it to Rush Truck Center in Hickory. They're the closest certified International service center. The service manager read the codes and is guessing that I have a problem with the high pressure oil system that opens the injectors. Can't know for sure without seeing the bus.

I'm waiting now to hear from Coach Net. If they will pay for the tow, I'm sending the bus to Hickory. If they will not, I'm having Rush send mobile service at $115/hour. I'm down to the wire on getting this thing running.

Either way, I should know something by late tomorrow. I will let you know. Thanks again to all who have offered help.

Jim

[azdieselman]

Did you ever remove the EOT sensor and see if there was oil in the HP reservoir?

Did you check for power at the IPR with the key on?

[uncle ned]

Jim  Ride down hy18 toward Shelby to Davids coach.  Have a good talk to him and he might just drop by and help you.

Also if you are out riding around check with Gene Russell at Russells Diesel. He is in mills river. will have to look up his address.
I just know how to get there. Both are great bus people.

next place is Goodsons bus in Maiden. on hy 321 business.

Also I will try to get in touch with Ken Arnold a ecm grue .

try to stay with bus people. truck people charge big rates to work on a bus.


uncle ned

Ps been out riding in HUGGY  gone 2 weeks to Ky WV Tenn and virginia. and back down the Blue Ridge.  Think I was in High gear at least 3 times.

[luvrbus]

I hope it is a simple fix for you Jim but like Kevin if I don't see oil pressure on the gauge they usually won't start 

[Lostranger]

SUCCESS!

As is so often the case, the problem was simple. Finding it, not so much. My fuel pressure regulator was stuck open.

I had literally run out of time to work on the bus, and that's why I had it towed to Rush Truck Center in Hickory. CoachNet paid the tow since that is the closest certified International service center. I cannot speak more highly of the Rush organization. The Hickory service manager, David, is a prince.

David spent several hours doing diagnostic work, and he DID NOT CHARGE ME for his time. I did pay for three hours labor by one of the mechanics and for a few incidental supplies. My bill was $352.33. I was thrilled.

They did not actually find whatever foreign matter was lodged in the regulator, but it could have been part of the disintegrated check ball from the top of the rock catcher. When we replaced that earlier this week, we found that the original ball had lost a sizable chunk. I'm glad that someone put me onto replacing that ball and o-ring.

I changed the fuel filter when we serviced the bus in October, and we had it off a few times in the process of trying to get it to start. I wouldn't be surprised if a "chunk-o-gunk" got past the filter during one of those removals. David took the time to show me how to remove and service the regulator should the need arise again.

Of course I want to learn what I can from this experience. If I had taken the time to get a fuel pressure gauge in place early in the process, it might not have taken so long. I'm open to suggestion, here. Would it be a good idea to mount such a gauge permanently in the engine compartment? Can anyone share a link for a gauge you like?

Yes, I feel more than a little stupid about missing a low fuel pressure situation, but I will be better prepared next time. Thanks again to all who have helped. Keep up the good work.

Jim

[luvrbus]

Glad it was a easy fix,Kevin is a go to guy here for the 466 but it is hard to diagnose a problem on a computer screen if he had been hands on he would have found the problem in short order.I never knew about the 2 different colors of balls till he posted it you learn something everyday

[LuckyChow]

Jim,

I'm so glad you got this figured out and are back in the saddle.  I think you came out great on the expense side too.  I had a hiccup like this last year when my ECM went out.  All's well that ends well.  

[Oonrahnjay]

Jim,

I'm so glad you got this figured out and are back in the saddle.  I think you came out great on the expense side too.  

   Yep, same good wishes from me.