96 chevy short bus won't start : (

[MissJaneStrummor]

96 chevy short bluebird school bus, it started and ran fine just a few weeks ago. Now for some reason it won't even turn over. We replaced the battery and took the starter to an auto parts store to check if it was bad, and the machine said it was fine. So, we hooked it back up to the bus and have tried looking at some of the fuses. I don't know were to go next. The bus sounds an alarm when I try to start it, the same alarm that always goes off right when you start it up, its super loud and annoying but a good sign that it is still working I suppose. Also, the lights all come on. So, does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

[crazycal]

Have you checked the emergency exits? Some of the latches disable the engine if locked while trying to start the bus.

[sdwarf36]

Try moving the shifter around when trying to start. (suggesting neutral safety switch.) Put it in N -turn the key to start-wiggle the shifter a bit in both directions while doing so.

[nat_ster]

Originally Posted by sdwarf36

Try moving the shifter around when trying to start. (suggesting neutral safety switch.) Put it in N -turn the key to start-wiggle the shifter a bit in both directions while doing so.

My TC2000 won't start without playing with the shifter while the key is turned. It took us three days to figure out before I bought the bus.

After all the obvious things.

Grab a multi meter and start tracing to find out where the power ends. Starter electrical systems are usually fairly simple on our buses.

Big red battery cable go's from battery to big solenoid. Little wire go's from the key to the big solenoid to activate it. Big red battery cable continues to the starter which also may have a solenoid.

Things like the key switch can be bypassed by just using 12 volts at the right post on the solenoid.

Good luck

Nat

[bansil]

Also check emergency roof hatches