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Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start
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OregonCoastBrandon
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 8:55 am    Post subject: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 8:57 am    Post subject: Re: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start Reply with quote

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...?
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 9:06 am    Post subject: Re: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 9:38 am    Post subject: Re: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start Reply with quote

Agree with the worn out ignition switch. This is exactly how my bus used to behave.
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 10:58 am    Post subject: Re: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 10:59 am    Post subject: Re: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 11:56 am    Post subject: Re: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 12:28 pm    Post subject: Re: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 12:51 pm    Post subject: Re: Strange No-Start Issue - Requires Jump Start Reply with quote

Ignition switch.

Cost: <$20
Time: < maybe an hour
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