Rear control panel

[Lin]

The rear control panel does not seem to be covered in my manual.  This one has a toggle switch that says "front" if up, "rear" if down, and an unmarked middle position that it has been in since I got it.  On each side of the toggle are stainless buttons.  I assume they are buttons because I don't know what else they could be, but they do not move in or out.  If I throw the toggle up, nothing seems to happen.  If I push it down the engine starts cranking and will start even if the main switch is off, but the starter does not disengage until the toggle is put back in the middle position.  The engine will continue to run though.  I assume that if the main switch is off, the engine will cut off once the air is up enough to engage the shutoff valve.  I do not believe that this is the way things are suppose to work.  Can anyone give me some info on what is supposed to happen and what my problems are?

[tekebird]

LIn, don;t know what type of bus you have but obviously someone has been fooling with things back there.

[Tony LEE]

"On each side of the toggle are stainless buttons"

Probably blanking plates to cover up the switches that used to be there.

Your setup is certainly nothing like the MC8

[tekebird]

should have a front rear control switch

a on off switch and a starter or momentary switch.

or some setup that will do the same thing.

later MCI's had a light for coolant level and a switch for that as well

[JackConrad]

Don't know what make/model you have, but on our MC-8, there is a momentary contact push button switch that activates the emergency stop solenoid. Alsop a SPST toggle switch for the engine compartment service lights, A double throw switch for front start/off/rear start, and a toggle switch for run/off.  There is also a NO CHARGE  light.  Jack

[gus]

Lin,

Your MC5 sounds as if it has the same setup as my 4104, logical since they were built around the same time.

Your switches probably have been messed with. The "Rear" position should be momentary, it should not stay in that position once you release it for obvious reasons. Mine had a non-momentary switch but now it doesn't! Don't ask me why I changed it!! This is an invitation to a burned out starter.

The other toggle is/was probably a starter cutoff switch to prevent accidental starting from the front while a mechanic is working on the bus. Obviously this switch cuts off the starter relay because the starter solenoid and starter are connected directly to the battery.

Mine has a third switch which allows the engine to crank but not start. Again, for mechanics use at the rear. It also had a fourth switch which turned on an engine compartment light but both are long gone.

My bus doesn't have a two-way switch like yours, it has just one switch marked "Start" but the front engine master has to be on for the engine to start. It will crank though.  I don't see the point of having a "front" position since this is normal?

My guess is your two-way switch only has two wires attached which means it is actually a one way ON-OFF switch. This means it is OFF in both the center and top positions. In any case it should be a momentary-ON, it should not stay ON.

I think you are correct that the engine will shut off when air press builds up but it shouldn't start in the first place without the front master on.

[buswarrior]

In general terms, highway coaches were set up that you had to have the front switch turned on to use the rear controls, Transits were set up that you could start them at the back, regardless of the front switch positions.

In no particular order, and no particular model you might find:

the starter able to be turned off, started in the rear, enabled for the front
the "ignition", turned on at the rear, turned off at the rear, enabled for the front
emergency stop capability in the rear
compartment light switch
no gen light
various gauges

also some properties installed an old fashioned knife switch in the starter circuit for absolutely proof positive that the circuit was interrupted before putting body parts in the way of danger, if someone tried starting it from the front

These may be three position toggles, momentary push buttons, or whatever

Sounds like yours has been "adapted"

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Sojourner]

Take a picture of the panel and post it to help eliminate the extra confusing. Use close-up setting on camrea.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

[Gary '79 5C]

Lin,
Good Morning,
On my 79 5C, the rear CP is shows up in the electrical diagrams.
The two button like units, On mine they are two indicator lites. About 1" dia. with a very small lens lite in the center. I must P/U my manuals from the bus ( offsite) to confrim and get back to you, as to what they indicate.
Back later, gatta run.
Gary

[Gary '79 5C]

Lin,
Update, I did get to the storage bldg, before work, and I have four switches across the top and one light on a second row. That indicator lite is the "24 Volt Generator" NO other lites on my rear control panel. I believe the switches are Service Lites toggle, Start guarded button, Front/Rear Control Toggle, and the fourth I have fogotten. Gettin old, older.

Hope this helps,

Gary Pasternak

[Lin]

I guess this will be on my list of things to take apart.  I posted the question here just in case there was some obvious explanation that I would otherwise spend a day figuring out.  That is one of the wonders of this board; how one can be saved from a lot of wasted effort and sorrow by just asking.  I have cleaned up the face of the box and find one of the non functional buttons to be labeled "Emergency stop" , the other just "stop".  There is a place the said something like "compartment light", but there is no switch there and I have not seen any lights anyway.  The emergency stop does not work.  The PO apparently did not think that emergency accessories were important since the tell tale lights don't work either.  Thanks for the help.  It appears that this is another job for me to try to turn into a disaster.  Thanks again.

[JackConrad]

Lin,
Update, I did get to the storage bldg, before work, and I have four switches across the top and one light on a second row. That indicator lite is the "24 Volt Generator" NO other lites on my rear control panel. I believe the switches are Service Lites toggle, Start guarded button, Front/Rear Control Toggle, and the fourth I have fogotten. Gettin old, older.

Hope this helps,

Gary Pasternak

I think the "Guarded button" is the emergency stop.  Jack