Bus starting woes

TheHollands! · July 25, 2019, 08:49:11 AM

Hi all,
Iv'e been using my bus consistently for the last 6 months. 4 days ago, my MCI-9 wouldn't start in the morning, I would just hear a click in the rear engine bay and no turnover. I replaced the starter motor, and still had the same issue. After about an hour of trying to start it front and rear, it all of a sudden started from the rear control. I was able to get where I was going in Moab and have been hanging with friends since. This morning when trying to start, I'm having the same issue. Just a click and neither front nor rear switch will turn it over. Not sure where to start looking. It is in neutral. Thanks for any suggestions. Craig

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · July 25, 2019, 08:59:44 AM

First, start by checking all the cable connections. A bit of corrosion on the cable ends can lead to that symptom as well as a break in the cable somewhere along the way.

Did you also change your starter solenoid?

neoneddy · July 25, 2019, 09:01:23 AM

I'd suspect the neutral safety switch then. What if you cycle through the gears again and go back to N. If you have a second person, have them wiggle it some while trying to start.

Mine acted up for a while when I first got it. No idea what the issue was in the end, seems to work fine now. I suspect I was leaving chimes off inside, and or not having it in N when starting from the back.

TheHollands! · July 25, 2019, 09:24:02 AM

Thanks for the quick responses. I did not change the starter solenoid. Where would this be located? Also this neutral safety switch, where would this be? Thanks, craig

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · July 25, 2019, 09:32:51 AM

The starter solenoid is generally mounted on the starter. It can be tested on the starter by jumping two studs with a large screwdriver, but you have to know what two studs and it should be online. Before my starter failed, I ran two lead wires out from my solenoid to one of my compartments and I would touch two wires together and it would start. But this also bypasses the neutral safety switch so be careful. Eventually, I replaced my starter and solenoid and never had this problem again.

My neutral safety switch is on the shifter but some are on the tranny from what I have heard depending on what transmission you have. Do you have a 740?

I will let the real mechanics take over from here.

TheHollands! · July 25, 2019, 09:58:01 AM

Hi,
The solenoid did get replaced with the starter. I have just been able to start the bus by jumping between the two terminals bypassing everything else. I'll have to trace the electrical line to figure out where the issue is between the key and the starter. Thanks for the help so far. Craig

chessie4905 · July 25, 2019, 10:08:40 AM

Check voltage at the starter while someone hits the start button. Do that before chasing other solutions.

Lee Bradley · July 25, 2019, 01:34:32 PM

Should also have an oil pressure switch that keeps the starter from engaging when the engines is running (has oil pressure). If that switch fails closed, you will get a no crank.

chessie4905 · July 25, 2019, 02:50:42 PM

He says he just gets a click, which sounds like a connection problem.

Dave5Cs · July 26, 2019, 01:22:17 PM

IF you have the rear electric panel. Take off the cover and see if you have an Ice cube relay. If yuou do the lower one I believe is for the start and neutral switch fuse. Then go to the front panel and there should be the same one there for the heater. Switch those two if they are the same number and then try starting it. If it starts replace that ice cube rely fuse.
Your neutral switch is on the passenger side of the transmission right by the shifter cable connection. You can also short that out with a piece of wire or a paper clip and see if it will start. HTH

chessie4905 · July 26, 2019, 05:54:33 PM

Hopefully you'll get off easy.

Geoff · July 27, 2019, 01:29:07 PM

I wonder how many people go through this when the only problem is dirty terminals?

richard5933 · July 27, 2019, 01:34:18 PM

Quote from: Geoff on July 27, 2019, 01:29:07 PM
I wonder how many people go through this when the only problem is dirty terminals?

Probably more than we know. I chased a problem for quite a while until I found corrosion hiding under the factory paint surrounding the low-coolant sensor.

TheHollands! · August 01, 2019, 09:18:01 AM

Hi all,
Just an update for you all, I finally had some time to chase through the suggestions you all had for me. I was able to locate the problem at the neutral safety switch, which on my MCI-9 was next to the transmission just as Dave had suggested. I wiggled it and cleaned off the connections and that seems to have cleared the problem for now. It was just hanging loose and not supported by anything, so I'm thinking between the grit and movement, something wasn't making a solid connection. Iv'e tied it off on a bracket that was nearby so as to restrict it flapping about. Thanks again for all your suggestions, it really helps narrow down where to start for someone like me that is learning my way around this bus as a non-mechanically minded person. Cheers, Craig

chessie4905 · August 01, 2019, 10:36:56 AM

There is no plate or bracket to properly install it? Leaving it hanging is just asking for more trouble.