Jake brake failure

[fraser8]

I'm on a tour of the mountains of southern British Columbia heading for a Model 'A' meet in Cranbrook. Yesterday the jake brakes came on while the bus was parked at an idle, quite a racket, I solved the problem by turning the switch off, thinking that I could turn them on while going down hill. Now they don't engage at all. Any ideas out there, I can take it to a truck repair place in Cranbrook but if at all possible I would like to fix it myself. Not that I'm cheap but I've been known to be thrifty.  I miss the old friend while going down the long hills................

[luvrbus]

You have a buffer switch problem check and make sure the lock nut is tight but be careful not to try and adjust it if you don't know anything about Jakes. Does your switch have the hi idle feature.      good luck

[fraser8]

I have a separate high idle switch, and the jake switch has a high/low/off position. I don't know a lot about the jake brake system but if I have an idea I can take it in and sound good and not get ripped off. thanks luvr, I appreciate the info.

[luvrbus]

Fraser, you have the hi idle Jake buffer switch that is a very expensive switch and most can be repaired the pin falls out , the spring goes bad or the lever made of plastic breaks.A  little advance warning for you that switch cost over 600 bucks now. 
If you can do without the fast idle one will cost you about 230 bucks     good luck

[Timkar]

Saw you as you were leaving a fruit market in Keremeos yesterday. You're right it was sounding bad. As soon as the wife came out I tried to find you but you must have taken Hwy 3 to Ososyoos and I was heading up to Penticton on 3A. Hope you get your problem fixed. Nice looking Prevost...maybe we'll meet up next time.
Tim

[fraser8]

I was wondering why I had no power, tough starting off with the jake on. Sorry I missed you. Fraser

[lostagain]

In Cranbrook, take it to Inland-Kenworth, 816 Industrial Rd. #1, 250-426-6205. I take the hockey team's bus there every 6 months for the DOT inspection. Really good people.

Another good place is the DD dealer: Cullen Diesel Power, 601 Industrial Rd. #3, 250-426-8271. The manager John knows a lot about 2 stokes.

JC

[TomC]

In a pinch, you can jump the buffer switch, or any of the other switches to make the Jake work.  But then you can only turn it on when you have your foot off the gas pedal and have to turn it off before coming to an idle (in another words-work it manually).  If you do try to accelerate with the Jake on, it will tell you quickly with much smoke and no power.  Good Luck, TomC

[fraser8]

Here we are on the road, Thanks all for the help, I'll fill you in on the out come....

[johns4104s]

Luvrbus,

I do not have the high idle so my jakes would be less expensive.

John

[Buffalo SpaceShip]

Follow TomC's advice. To take it further, pop the valve covers off and check for power at the solenoids... then apply power to the solenoids one by one.  They will not move much w/o the oil pressure, but you'll definitely see if they're working or not. I was able to diagnose a faulty solenoid this way and pick up a new one at Stewart & Stevenson whilst traveling.

HTH!

[JackConrad]

Jakes can fail mechanically (O rings) as well as electrically.  Jack

[Stormcloud]

Darn nice looking runabout on that trailer, Fraser. Hi to Dorothy from us.

Mark & Donna

[fraser8]

All is fixed. The wire running to one of the solenoids was scufffed during the installation years ago, inside the cover, it finally shorted against the block and shorted the solenoid out. I replaced the wire and the solenoid. Everything is working wonderful...

[johns4104s]

I talked to a guy today that was against having Jake's,s he said that if there running they are good, but if they start giving problems they can be a nightmare, even damage your engine. He also said they have stopped offering them on the new trucks.

2 cents worth?

John