Hello!
After years of starting with no problem, by 1999 Thomas full size is suddenly not starting. The only problem I've had with this before has been with the battery, and I know that's not the problem, and I also put fresh gas in.
Also it has been a very mild and wet winter here on southern Vancouver Island, and the bus hasn't been driven since the summer (it has been started semi-regularly, though perhaps not as regularly as it should have been. oops) so that could be a factor.
After reading threads about bad starters, it sounds to me like it could be the flywheel spinning and the solenoid not engaging, but I'm really not sure.
This is a recording of what it sounds like when I try to start it up.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/p42o1...x8hv5htki&dl=0
My questions are 1) is the starter the most likely culprit? and therefore the next step is tapping on the starter while turning the key? and 2) if so, how hard does one "tap" the starter? Am I risking damaging it if I hit it too hard? Do you tap the starter motor or the solenoid? both?
any advice very much appreciated!