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Old 08-23-2018, 05:09 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
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Bus wont start

2002 thomas safety bus

So it's been a while since I started the bus last, kind of took the summer off from the build. So its probally been a month since i ran her last and now today i go to start her and she cranks but wont start battery is fully charged. I'm in no way a mechanic and was wondering if there anything obvious i check for before i go and call a mechanic to come out here and try and figure it out. It's in neutral all emergency exits are closed nice and snug. Any ideas fellow bus people??

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Old 08-23-2018, 05:20 PM   #2
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Does it crank and not start or fail to crank?
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Old 08-23-2018, 06:20 PM   #3
Mini-Skoolie
 
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It cranks but fails to start
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Old 08-23-2018, 06:40 PM   #4
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What engine is in it? Fully charge the batteries and crank on it for 10 second intervals giving the starter a break between cranks. Maybe lost it's fuel prime depending on engine.
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Old 08-23-2018, 07:07 PM   #5
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It's got a cat 3126 I'll give that a shot tommorow
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Old 08-23-2018, 07:24 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kdebo View Post
It cranks but fails to start
Somehow I overlooked that in your original post. Sorry 'bout that.

Did anything else change? New fuel filters etc?
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Old 08-23-2018, 07:26 PM   #7
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No nothings changed the bus has literally been sitting in my backyard for about 3 months now. I'm kind of getting the feeling I might have done critters causing damage maybe
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Old 08-23-2018, 07:33 PM   #8
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Hmmm...

A diesel engine needs air, fuel and compression to start.

I can't conceive what could keep it from getting air. A sudden loss of compression from sitting idle seems unlikely. That leaves fuel.

As yours is an electronic engine it could be either an interruption in the fuel supply or an electrical/computer problem in the fuel injection.

Not being very well versed in CAT engines I will defer to our resident CAT guru's. Where would you be looking for fueling issues on this engine?
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Old 08-23-2018, 08:00 PM   #9
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No guru and not familiar with these engines. This is a common issue when diesels sit idle for months. I agree with the priming because the high pressure pumps have internal check valves that sometimes leak or stick from sitting. Filtered diesel can be dirty too when it sits and doesn't get burned. That dirt affects the operation of that pump. Also check water separator before trying again and drain. Charge the batteries up good, you been taking them down trying.


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Old 08-23-2018, 08:04 PM   #10
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When you're cranking it over watch to see if you got a little bit of white smoke and if you are it should smell a bit like diesel that means you're getting fuel and if it won't start you need to start looking at whether or not the glow plugs are getting power the CAT engine is a glow plug engine and sitting can build up little bit of corrosion on the relay contacts what do a little bit of research into how to diagnose glow plugs for your motor there's lots of info out there on them and it is a fairly simple electrical circuit
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Old 08-23-2018, 09:10 PM   #11
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The 3126 has an intake grid heater.
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Old 08-24-2018, 06:46 AM   #12
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Maybe a little starting fluid with cylinder lube.
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Old 08-24-2018, 07:46 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leadsled01 View Post
Maybe a little starting fluid with cylinder lube.
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!


starting fluid with a grid heater can cause a nice little explosion out the intake tube.....



my guess is that the HPOP probably drained down and now its haviong to be cranked forever to fill it up so the injectors will fire..


-Christopher
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Old 08-24-2018, 11:30 AM   #14
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That CAT should have a primer pump on top of the fuel filter. Pump it until it's hard. Crank. Repeat.
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Old 08-24-2018, 01:47 PM   #15
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I had a crank but no start on my 3126 turned out to be the ecm

Turning the ignition on from the back I could watch the diagnostic lights

With mine I could crank forever and got no fuel smell at the exhaust
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Old 08-24-2018, 04:33 PM   #16
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Quote:
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That CAT should have a primer pump on top of the fuel filter. Pump it until it's hard. Crank. Repeat.
Yep they have a NICE primer pump, conveniently located and oriented!
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Old 08-24-2018, 08:46 PM   #17
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...unlike Cummins. Most of which are a beotch to get to and pump!
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Old 08-25-2018, 09:00 AM   #18
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or some of the 466E's which apparently were void of a primer pump.. oh and my 444E which is void of a primer pump.. you have to keep pulling the lid off the fuel filter and pouring it full, start it, it dies.. fill it again, start it.. till it pulls its own fuel..



my DT360 has a primer pump that works great..


my 392 is gas so just dump gas in the carb and crank
-Christopher
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Old 08-25-2018, 08:09 PM   #19
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Engine: CAT 3126
· Do any buzzers sound?
· Does the engine bay's manual override succeed in starting the bus?
· What are the air pressure levels when you try to start the bus?
· What color do each of the LED indicators show on the braking systems' electronic controller? (See 8.24 of the service manual.)
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Old 08-29-2018, 03:54 PM   #20
Mini-Skoolie
 
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I own a 2001 Thomas with a cat 3126! If you hold down cruise control when you turn the key to on (not starting yet) it will blink the check engine light and give you any codes from the computer. Check internet for more info. Mine gave an error about the first actuator when I couldn't start but a mechanic told me that could just be lack of fuel. So, I go to on twice to double prime it and if that doesn't do it, I it hit it some ether.

Note: I am not a mechanic. While I've never blown it up the comment about the intake heater makes me want to learn more.
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