Bus won't start from the front knob

thekid745 · August 11, 2014, 08:45:34 PM

My 1969 GM fishbowl won't start from the front knob but starts right up and idles good from the back (engine compartment) controls. Does anyone know what would cause this? It just started this issue.

Dave5Cs · August 11, 2014, 09:04:10 PM

flip the switch in the back to front start not rear start!....Sound like.

Dave

harleyman_1000 · August 12, 2014, 05:18:45 AM

Hey Dave do you have a part number on the back switch? I only have a 2 position rear switch and the front only works when the back is on.

thekid745 · August 12, 2014, 05:42:47 AM

I do have the switch in back flipped to front controls at time of trying to start. It tries to turn over but wont. But if I go back to the back controls and switch it to back controls its starts right up back there.

harleyman_1000 · August 12, 2014, 06:30:02 AM

Quote from: thekid745 on August 12, 2014, 05:42:47 AM
I do have the switch in back flipped to front controls at time of trying to start. It tries to turn over but wont. But if I go back to the back controls and switch it to back controls its starts right up back there.

When you say it tries to start what do you mean? Does it click? Turn over slow?

Dave5Cs · August 12, 2014, 07:13:21 AM

No part number for GM start switch but should just be a 3 position switch.

thekid745 · August 12, 2014, 10:40:15 AM

It tries to turn over slowly.

eagle19952 · August 12, 2014, 10:48:24 AM

a bad ground...possibly a relay.
i think the rear starts are a switch direct to the start solenoid, while the front starts use a secondary relay to prevent voltage drop...

or possibly a bad neutral safety sw or wiring.

thekid745 · August 14, 2014, 06:00:36 AM

Thank You

It ended up being the 3 position switch in back. Working good now.

Oonrahnjay · August 14, 2014, 09:16:15 AM

Quote from: thekid745 on August 14, 2014, 06:00:36 AM
Thank You
It ended up being the 3 position switch in back. Working good now.

Good, glad it's working OK. How did you find it? Multimeter on the switch, swapping it out, etc.?

thekid745 · August 14, 2014, 09:42:52 PM

I actually took it off and cleaned up all the connections and re -installed. It then worked, so to be safe I will replace that switch.

Thanks,

Dan

Oonrahnjay · August 15, 2014, 12:27:45 PM

Quote from: thekid745 on August 14, 2014, 09:42:52 PM
I actually took it off and cleaned up all the connections and re -installed. It then worked, so to be safe I will replace that switch.

Thanks, Dan

Appreciate the reply - that's helpful. (And, yeah, safe is replacing the switch.)

harleyman_1000 · August 15, 2014, 04:56:37 PM

Since you got your problem fixed. I also need help with a front start switch. My problem is a little different. I have a 2 way switch and a start button on the rear, and everything works good. I also have a run/stop switch on front that doesn't work. I also have a start switch that will start the bus only if the rear switch is on. My question is where should the front start/stop switch wire be run to? Should it be spliced into the power to the rear switch? Another small bite on a very large elephant