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OregonCoastBrandon Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2020 Posts: 32 Location: Manzanita, Oregon
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 8:55 am Post subject: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start |
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So I'm having a strange intermittent starting issue. About every 5 or so starts, I get nothing. No click, no noise (other than fuel pump). The bus can sit for a week, and fire right up, or sit for a few minutes and not start. The strangest thing is, it will start once it's hooked up to another battery, jumpbox or trickle charger. I've replaced and inspected most of the things I could think of, but before tackling the starter, as this isn't my typical experience with bad starters, I wanted to reach-out for advice. I'll list the related parts I've replaced below.
New battery (optima red top) tests at 90-100% during no start
New voltage regulator
New alternator |
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Matt Wilson Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2005 Posts: 2408 Location: Colorado
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 8:57 am Post subject: Re: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start |
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Sounds to me like you have a worn out ignition switch if it won't crank the starter. Do you have power to the coil, but no crank...? _________________ 1972 Standard Beetle
1969 Baja Beetle |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51153 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 9:06 am Post subject: Re: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start |
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The ignition switch could be to blame, and/or a starter with sticky internals, and of course the ground straps. Since connecting anything to the outsides of the battery terminals improves things I'd be looking at how clean the inner surfaces of the terminals are where they contact the posts, just because the battery is good doesn't mean the power is getting to where it has to be. _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
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Слава Україні! |
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Globespotter Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2012 Posts: 1770 Location: Newmarket, ON
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OregonCoastBrandon Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2020 Posts: 32 Location: Manzanita, Oregon
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 10:58 am Post subject: Re: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start |
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Globespotter wrote: |
Agree with the worn out ignition switch. This is exactly how my bus used to behave. |
When your bus was exhibiting similar symptoms, would jump starting the battery effect it's start abilities? |
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OregonCoastBrandon Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2020 Posts: 32 Location: Manzanita, Oregon
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 10:59 am Post subject: Re: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start |
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Matt Wilson wrote: |
Sounds to me like you have a worn out ignition switch if it won't crank the starter. Do you have power to the coil, but no crank...? |
I'll get a meter on there and follow-up. |
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mikedjames Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2012 Posts: 2743 Location: Hamble, Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 11:56 am Post subject: Re: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start |
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I would check your battery clamps, the jump start may be enough to weld the clamps on for a while and then they come loose again.
You may find a battery clamp is corroded. _________________ Ancient vehicles and vessels
1974 VW T2 : Devon Eurovette camper with 1641 DP T1 engine, Progressive carb, full flow oil cooler, EDIS crank timed ignition.
Engine 1: 40k miles (rocker shaft clip fell off), Engine 2: 30k miles (rebuild, dropped valve). Engine 3: a JK Preservation Parts "new" engine, aluminium case: 26k miles: new top end.
Gearbox rebuild 2021 by Bears.
1979 Westerly GK24 24 foot racer/cruiser yacht Forethought of Gosport.
1973 wooden Pacer sailing dinghy |
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SGKent Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 41031 Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 12:28 pm Post subject: Re: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start |
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Turn the overhead light on when this happens (if it is not LED) and see how much it dims when the problem happens. If it doesn't dim much then it is not the battery or cables. That will then point to either the starter solenoid or switch. The fact that the fuel pump runs in the start position makes me lean towrds the starter solenoid. If the ignition switch can power the fuel pump in the start position then there is voltage and current passing thru the switch. If it only runs in the ON position but not START position then it is the ignition switch. _________________ “Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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aeromech Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 16971 Location: San Diego, California
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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 12:51 pm Post subject: Re: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start |
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Ignition switch.
Cost: <$20
Time: < maybe an hour _________________ Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
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