Bus won't start! Gelp!

[Booyah45828]

I now see you're in AZ, no rural kings there. Tractor supply has group 31's for 134.99, I imagine they're might be cheaper elsewhere, so call around.

[Joe45]

Originally Posted by Booyah45828

I now see you're in AZ, no rural kings there. Tractor supply has group 31's for 134.99, I imagine they're might be cheaper elsewhere, so call around.

I'll check around, thanks!

[Joe45]

Yeah I like that battery tray, and it slides out too!


The one on the other side is for a single 8D, so maybe I can fit the two G31s in the smaller tray, and save the bigger tray for either storage or better yet, the solar power battery bank, when I get to that point.


Yeah, after thinking about the 8Ds, just the sheer weight is enough reason to go with 31s. I'll get help to get them on my truck bed, and use them as cores.



I have an old regular dead car battery, and the 3rd 8D that I will hold onto until ready to get more batteries and use them as cores as well.

[Joe45]

I was just thinking...


I am not going to be actually driving the bus around for a few months; likely until spring. I just need to drive it to another place about 12 miles away, and then I will drive it for 20-30 miles once a month in the meantime to keep everything moving.


So...


I think I can get one battery for that, and buy the second one later. Even if I buy the second one in a month or so, that still gives me time to recover and I don;t have to spend the whole amount right now-and can still move the bus.

[Booyah45828]

If money is a problem. Charge and test each of those 8d batteries individually.

Odds are, one is likely good enough to do the job solo if it's in decent shape.

If you have a group of batteries, and one battery with a bad cell, that battery will bring down and deplete the other batteries in the group.

Charging might take a day or 3 to do, but all your out is a little bit of time if it doesn't work out. Take the charger from the pic, flip it to the 10 amp option, and leave it on there for a while. After a day, remove the charger and put a voltmeter on it, if it's above 12, keep charging it for another day or 3, below 12 and the battery is junk.

That's if the bus can continue sitting where it's at for the week. If it's gotta move, new batteries are your only option.

[Joe45]

Originally Posted by Booyah45828

If money is a problem. Charge and test each of those 8d batteries individually.

Odds are, one is likely good enough to do the job solo if it's in decent shape.

If you have a group of batteries, and one battery with a bad cell, that battery will bring down and deplete the other batteries in the group.

Charging might take a day or 3 to do, but all your out is a little bit of time if it doesn't work out. Take the charger from the pic, flip it to the 10 amp option, and leave it on there for a while. After a day, remove the charger and put a voltmeter on it, if it's above 12, keep charging it for another day or 3, below 12 and the battery is junk.

That's if the bus can continue sitting where it's at for the week. If it's gotta move, new batteries are your only option.

Thanks.


I may just try that!

[BriteLeaf]

Originally Posted by Joe45

Went to start the bus today because I will be moving it to another place. However, it won't start.

I heard a loud clicking sound that got weaker after a few seconds. The gauges move around crazily and some lights blink.

When I was redoing the rear brake lights I used a voltage tester and it all worked fine. Now I can't even get the blinkers to work.



NOTE:

The bus has been sitting for a few months. However, I have been using a battery charger and now an engine warmer.


A while back I removed some wiring and redid the rear lights. However, the bus did start after that and I even drove it. In fact, I drove it with the rear light wiring rigged temporarily with some tape. It started and ran fine more than once.



Here is a link to a short video on youtube showing what happens when I turn on the ignition key:
https://youtu.be/DJ0QxKJotko


https://youtu.be/DJ0QxKJotko
Thanks!

I have attached a short video. If anyone has any ideas, I'd be glad to hear them. Trying to avoid having someone come over to check it, but I may not have an option.

It really sounds to me like you have dead batteries.
A jump or charge of the batteries should get you going again.
Maybe you created a short or something when you changed the wiring?

[NavyVet]

[1st I would check the batteries.
May be dead of too weak to start.QUOTE=Joe45;415451]Went to start the bus today because I will be moving it to another place. However, it won't start.

I heard a loud clicking sound that got weaker after a few seconds. The gauges move around crazily and some lights blink.


I have attached a short video. If anyone has any ideas, I'd be glad to hear them. Trying to avoid having someone come over to check it, but I may not have an option.



When I was redoing the rear brake lights I used a voltage tester and it all worked fine. Now I can't even get the blinkers to work.



NOTE:

The bus has been sitting for a few months. However, I have been using a battery charger and now an engine warmer.


A while back I removed some wiring and redid the rear lights. However, the bus did start after that and I even drove it. In fact, I drove it with the rear light wiring rigged temporarily with some tape. It started and ran fine more than once.



Here is a link to a short video on youtube showing what happens when I turn on the ignition key:
https://youtu.be/DJ0QxKJotko


https://youtu.be/DJ0QxKJotko
Thanks![/QUOTE]

[Dirtdoctor]

Check oil level and don’t mess around with weak batteries weak batteries will kill your starter. Internationals need high pressure oil to run the injectors.

[peterbylt]

When I needed new batteries for my MCI, the best price I found was from Batteries +, I purchased 2 Duracell 8D, that was about 2 years ago, zero issues since then.

Batteries + still looks like the best Price around.

They also give an extra 10% if purchased online, then picked up in the store.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sli8db

Peter

[Joe45]

I purchased a Group 31 battery at Nappa; 1,000 CCA for about $170.


Bus started right up!



Thank you all for your help!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Joe45

I purchased a Group 31 battery at Nappa; 1,000 CCA for about $170.


Bus started right up!



Thank you all for your help!

In the future- if you're anywhere near a Rural King they sell G31's for $79 each. Glad you got it started!

[rossvtaylor]

Originally Posted by peterbylt

When I needed new batteries for my MCI, the best price I found was from Batteries +, I purchased 2 Duracell 8D, that was about 2 years ago, zero issues since then.

Batteries + still looks like the best Price around.

They also give an extra 10% if purchased online, then picked up in the store.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sli8db

Peter

That is a great price...I just checked Sam's Club and they're $199 for 8Ds there. Thanks for the pointer!

[Joe45]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

In the future- if you're anywhere near a Rural King they sell G31's for $79 each. Glad you got it started!

Nearest one is several states away.
But I will keep that in mind.

Thanks for the tip!