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Old 04-27-2017, 09:40 PM   #41
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Oh yeah, it's getting much mellower and filled with better mojo. Just takes time.

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Old 04-27-2017, 10:06 PM   #42
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Favorite part of your last video was watching the progress from: I must protect this lovely new foam and tread lightly! to I just want to get this *$!#& plywood in.
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Old 04-28-2017, 06:55 AM   #43
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Haha ... it did take some elbow grease!
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Old 05-18-2017, 03:28 PM   #44
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Prison Bus Gets Some New Holes

After laying down a subfloor, I was slowed a bit with research into bus power systems. I researched, I read, I sketched, and I finally ordered some stuff.

In this video I build the basics of my electrical panel, drilling a hole in the bus for my power line ... in a rain storm. Needless to say, some water got in before I could fit the receptacle into the hole.

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Old 05-21-2017, 07:04 PM   #45
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I also noticed you have video 11 up on YouTube, still loving the work man.
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Old 05-21-2017, 07:06 PM   #46
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Yeah, I've been having fun with the videos ... this forum has sure helped a lot! Doing some framing and trying to keep it light
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Old 05-26-2017, 07:53 PM   #47
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Finish Floors Created Out of 1/4" Plywood

I never know where to post on this site ... so have posted this video twice. I'm placing it here so the record of my prison bus renovation is complete.

Floors in. Next up: odd jobs

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Old 06-01-2017, 11:13 PM   #48
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Welded Flange and Other ODD JOBS

Got some odd jobs done on the bus this week.

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Old 08-15-2017, 05:17 PM   #49
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Bus won't start

Okay, now I know this is not an original post title, as many other have buses that won't start ... but mine is starting to get frustrating. Here's the deal:

- bus has always started like a champ, even after sitting for a month or so
- left it sitting it for a bit over a month this summer
- now it won't start
- power comes on, glow plug does it's thing, then won't turn over
- no click, no nothing
- batteries not entirely dead, but I did try jumping them
- still nothing
- bought a battery charger and tried that ... got batteries all charged up
- still won't start

I'm guessing it may be the starter that died on me. Should I start there or think about a dead relay or something?

Could there possibly be a safety that is keeping the starter from turning over since my air system is all dissipated.

Any ideas would be appreciated, so BIG THANKS in advance!
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Old 08-15-2017, 06:33 PM   #50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spenceronehalf View Post
Okay, now I know this is not an original post title, as many other have buses that won't start ... but mine is starting to get frustrating. Here's the deal:

- bus has always started like a champ, even after sitting for a month or so
- left it sitting it for a bit over a month this summer
- now it won't start
- power comes on, glow plug does it's thing, then won't turn over
- no click, no nothing
- batteries not entirely dead, but I did try jumping them
- still nothing
- bought a battery charger and tried that ... got batteries all charged up
- still won't start

I'm guessing it may be the starter that died on me. Should I start there or think about a dead relay or something?

Could there possibly be a safety that is keeping the starter from turning over since my air system is all dissipated.
Was just thinking about you and wondering where the next video was...

It's def not the air brakes, they don't mind pressuring-up from zero

How many volts do batteries say? Not entirely dead is not what i want to hear- fully charged is music to my ears.

Starter has a solenoid switch on it (usually), small soda can sized thingy. Block the wheels good, have someone do startup-sequence and rap the can thing with a big screwdriver handle- plunger may be stuck. If that works, you know what to replace. Check for voltages at the starter.

Bad ground could cause this- fool with those braided flat grounds to engine?

Did you mess with doors, hatches, stop sign?
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Old 08-15-2017, 06:54 PM   #51
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All good ideas! Big thanks. I remember, now that you mention, that trick with the starter. I haven't monkeyed with the doors and never had a stop sign ... prison bus. I'll start trouble shooting and check the voltage ... not sure where those batteries are in terms of age and output.
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Old 08-15-2017, 07:25 PM   #52
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Would be interesting to see a Prison Bus stop in the middle of nowhere, lights flashing and the stop sign come out. Imagine the reaction of some people.
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Old 08-15-2017, 08:14 PM   #53
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Originally Posted by spenceronehalf View Post
All good ideas! Big thanks. I remember, now that you mention, that trick with the starter. I haven't monkeyed with the doors and never had a stop sign ... prison bus. I'll start trouble shooting and check the voltage ... not sure where those batteries are in terms of age and output.
I bet your bus is like mine, no interlocks. I can be driving down the highway and deploy the wheelchair lift.

The glow heater takes a ton of juice and diesels are higher compression anyway.
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Old 08-15-2017, 08:36 PM   #54
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Still Not Starting ... But I Have Hope!

I was out in the dark this evening banging on everything that even vaguely resembles a starter ... all to no avail. But I'm getting 12 volts out of my batteries after a good charge, so it must be that starter or the piston being stuck or something like that.

Going to look into finding that starter and getting a new one.

Thanks all!
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Old 08-15-2017, 09:15 PM   #55
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I wouldn't go for a new starter just yet. Check and see if it's getting voltage first. A simple test light wired to the "crank" circuit (on the starter) and placed where you can see it while attempting to start should do the trick.

If the starter is getting voltage, then proceed with starter diagnosis and replacement. If not, you have other problems.

And yes, test the test light before assuming a false result.
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Old 08-15-2017, 10:01 PM   #56
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test light wire!

I like the idea of that test light wire ... I can run a video of it while trying to start and see if the starter is getting juice.

Thanks for that tip. I'll have to take things slow ...
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Old 08-15-2017, 10:06 PM   #57
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One more trip out (in the dark, tonight) ... and I've found my starter. Accessing the lead looks pretty easy, so I'm going to give the test light a shot in the morning. Thanks again!
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Old 08-15-2017, 10:37 PM   #58
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Your battery is dead.!.
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Old 08-15-2017, 10:38 PM   #59
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Check your voltage again.
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Old 08-16-2017, 05:42 AM   #60
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Your battery is dead.!.
I agree batteries check. You need 2 strong batteries with clean grounds. Can you pull some batteries out of your other truck? Jumping with cables isn't as effective.

I hope not stuck piston Starter would still "try" and make a click/hideous sound.
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