HELP with strange issue no one seems to be able to solve!!!

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Originally Posted by o1marc

..... I'm still trying to figure how your advice helps. The tumblers only effect the key and whether it will turn. If he turns and the engine starts, how could the tumblers possibly be the cause of the engine shut off?

Many buses have the key cylinders and electrical switch made into one integral unit. If disassembled, you still have separate lock and cylinder tumblers and electrical switch but the whole assembly is usually replaced as one piece.

[Rivetboy]

Originally Posted by o1marc

What was not true?

formal training

[TheHubbardBus]

Don't listen to anyone that's replied so far. They're clueless.

I'll tell you what it is right now.

The key switch.

You're welcome.

[Rivetboy]

Originally Posted by gs1949

This thread reminds me of the Bickerson Family Picnic from The Honeymooners, with Jackie Gleason and Art Carney. I know I am dating myself with this one.

Sorry gs1949, you have akready dated yourself.

[gs1949]

I know, I'm not very shy, and I'm not ashamed I'm getting older. Everyone's turn comes.

[Rivetboy]

Originally Posted by gs1949

I know, I'm not very shy, and I'm not ashamed I'm getting older. Everyone's turn comes.

If you are lucky..

[gs1949]

You're right. Some don't get a turn to get old. Like my oldest son who died before 40. I mean he had his turn at life, but he went through it fast and his turn did not include getting old.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Don't listen to anyone that's replied so far. They're clueless.

I'll tell you what it is right now.

The key switch.

You're welcome.

Kubla replied first with "key switch" I believe.

[TheHubbardBus]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Kubla replied first with "key switch" I believe.

I considered adding a wink, smiley, or other emoticon, but I figured the sheer absurdity of me chiming in on page 3 with my reply would be enough to show i wasn't serious

[magnakansas]

I would agree it is likely the ignition switch. I would test to confirm it was the switch, it saves spending money on useless parts, but if the switch is cheap, it might not be worth the time to fool with just buy a switch and stick it in. then go from there if needed. I dont usually do something like this. I consider this kind of thing "hack" work. But sometimes it is a fast way of diagnoses.

william

[gs1949]

Why not just replace the whole contraption with a couple of switches and be done with it? Keys are over rated, always getting misplaced. Switches stay where you can find them.

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by gs1949

Why not just replace the whole contraption with a couple of switches and be done with it? Keys are over rated, always getting misplaced. Switches stay where you can find them.

You could hide the switch somewhere, or even disguise it as a self-destruct button.

[gs1949]

Right, something like, Dr Strangeglove, or How I Learned to Love My Chevy.

[Rivetboy]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

You could hide the switch somewhere, or even disguise it as a self-destruct button.

Just hide it in plain sight. Retired a year this thursday and loving every single second of it. Although, had a way cool job.

[Rivetboy]

Originally Posted by Rivetboy

Just hide it in plain sight. Retired a year this thursday and loving every single second of it. Although, had a way cool job.

Picture might help

[BluebirdBabes]

Hang tight, I will hopefully get around to some diagnostic tests today.

keep the bickering to a minimum

[TheHubbardBus]

Originally Posted by BluebirdBabes

very cheeky o1marc, there are multiple components to a starter.

I don't just run out and buy the first thing that comes to mind.

Originally Posted by BluebirdBabes

perhaps somebody can post "a list" ^^

Originally Posted by BluebirdBabes

keep the bickering to a minimum

You do realize nobody here is being paid to service your requests, right?
Are you this thankless in real life?

[Rivetboy]

Originally Posted by gs1949

That's the first place to look. You'll be lucky if it's that simple, but if it's not make a list and go through it.

Originally Posted by o1marc

1 Buy new switch
2 Change switch
3 Start bus

The switch takes all power away from most everything but the starter when you turn the key to start. When you release it, it cuts the power to the starter and reconnects everything else. Sounds like faulty switch to me.

Originally Posted by Rivetboy

That is what I suspected also. Jump the switch out , check the connections physically, and tug and test on relays associated.

Originally Posted by SolomonEagle

I have had this problem on a Cummins powered RV. After hours of tracing and trying different things, it turned out to be the key switch.

Originally Posted by somewhereinusa

The ignition switch is quite easy to check. OP said all was fine until some electrical work was done, quite possibly a place to start after checking the switch.

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

You have a failed ignition switch. Others have referred to it as a key switch and on many buses it's "the same thing" (it's actually an electrical switch made with the key portion integrated). On some vehicles (many GM models, for example) there is a separate key and an ignition "switch" separate from that further down the steering column operated by a linkage (they can be changed separately).


It sounds like you have a bad contact on the "ignition" or "Run" portion of your switch - this maintains contact through the "Start" function and is supposed to maintain contact as you release it to "run" but it sounds like dirt/corrosion/burned contact has caused this failure. (I had an old GMC pickup with the same symptoms, it was indeed a failed switch, I disassembled the old one to learn how it worked.)



"Key switches" are fairly inexpensive and relatively easy to replace. Remove the old one and match a new one up to it.

Originally Posted by TheHubbardBus

Don't listen to anyone that's replied so far. They're clueless.

I'll tell you what it is right now.

The key switch.

You're welcome.

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Kubla replied first with "key switch" I believe.

Originally Posted by magnakansas

I would agree it is likely the ignition switch. I would test to confirm it was the switch, it saves spending money on useless parts, but if the switch is cheap, it might not be worth the time to fool with just buy a switch and stick it in. then go from there if needed. I dont usually do something like this. I consider this kind of thing "hack" work. But sometimes it is a fast way of diagnoses.

william

Originally Posted by Kubla

Bad key switch

You know, maybe you should rotate the tires, that might do it...

[gs1949]

And new headlights will almost always help a vehicle start better.

[Drew Bru]

Originally Posted by gs1949

And new headlights will almost always help a vehicle start better.

Maybe I'm outta line here, as I'm not too mechanically inclined, but topping off the headlight fluid first might alleviate the need for new headlights.