Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 01-26-2024, 02:09 PM   #1
New Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 9
Is this a starter issue?

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!

Erin F is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-26-2024, 07:15 PM   #2
Bus Nut
 
sportyrick's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: mid Mo.
Posts: 942
Year: 1976
Coachwork: bluebird
Chassis: F33695
Engine: 427 chevy converted to 466
Rated Cap: 84
Sounds like the bendix, that's the one way clutch with the starter gear attached to it which in-gauges with the flywheel ring gear. You will have to get your starter rebuilt or grab a new one. There might be a local shop that rebuilds starters and alternators so look in your yellow pages or of course your marketplace to find one. The would be cheaper than the auto parts stores in my opinion, next price wise would be an auto parts store then the stealers.
sportyrick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2024, 09:40 AM   #3
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Alabama
Posts: 386
Year: 1996
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT 466 Mech. Spicer 5 speed
Rated Cap: 34
I agree with SportyRick-- starter Bendix. The Bendix is what pushes the starter gear out of the starter to engage the flywheel. I would think a "starter repair shop" could replace just the bendix.
PorchDog is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
solenoid, starter, thomas

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:41 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.