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Old 08-22-2022, 01:38 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2022
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No battery - Can I drive on jump?

Hello y’all. The Bus Godz have put a few pebbles in the path to Skoolie life and my struggle bus is stuck out of town. My main issue continues to be finding mechanics that actually know how to work on older buses that don’t have magical computers that can be plugged into to instantly figure out the problem The new issue is the bus started and ran fine when jumped (jump was done directly to cables - since it had no battery at the time) but when an actual battery is put in - the bus lights turn on, but it does not start! Pretty much no one is wanting to take it on due to its age (from the 80’s - ageists) and at this point I’m thinking my last resort will be to have the battery disconnected and get it running like before (jumping directly to cables). I do have a long drive ahead of me so I was hoping for advice on if this is even possible - and if so, does anyone know how long I could drive like that - even if I have to start it multiple times. I feel silly and I’m sorry. Thank you for any insight in advance.

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Old 08-22-2022, 06:34 AM   #2
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Year: 2001
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The batteries your using are likely bad. Running the bus with no batteries could burn out your alternator.

Ted
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Old 08-22-2022, 06:46 AM   #3
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Most likely 1 of 2 things.

You have something preventing the crank (emergency door, etc, make sure they are all closed and locked)

Your starter relay or starter solenoid are bad or corroded, common if its sat for awhile. It is super simple, if you know what you are doing, so hook up the battery, turn on ignition so she has fuel, and jump it from the starter relay to force a start.

You don't want the mechanics with the shiny new shop, you want the one with 4 old diesels out back he is parting out that pops out from under something covered in soot when you show up.
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Old 08-22-2022, 10:03 AM   #4
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Applesaucemoss

Where is the bus currently located? It is easier to assist when I know how far I would have to drive.

No batteries, no drive, there are some exceptions.


William
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Old 08-22-2022, 03:28 PM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Thank you for your reply. It’s supposedly a brand new battery, so that’s concerning. I really appreciate your reply!
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Old 08-22-2022, 03:31 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by magnakansas View Post
Where is the bus currently located? It is easier to assist when I know how far I would have to drive.

No batteries, no drive, there are some exceptions.


William
It is in Sacramento CA - I live in Los Angeles �� so it is a ways
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Old 08-22-2022, 05:46 PM   #7
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Thank you so much!!!! That’s really what it sounds like. The problem is that apparently no one in Sacramento - even the fancy ones - are afraid to touch it! Any chance you know of anyone out by west Sacramento, CA ??
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Old 08-22-2022, 05:56 PM   #8
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TJones View Post
The batteries your using are likely bad. Running the bus with no batteries could burn out your alternator.

Ted
I’m sorry if I didn’t quote correctly. I’m kind of a nub on this website
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Old 08-22-2022, 07:16 PM   #9
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applesauce

Do you know how to use a volt/ohm meter?

william
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Old 08-22-2022, 08:29 PM   #10
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Help others help you

Quote:
Originally Posted by applesaucemoss View Post
Thank you so much!!!! That’s really what it sounds like. The problem is that apparently no one in Sacramento - even the fancy ones - are afraid to touch it! Any chance you know of anyone out by west Sacramento, CA ??
We really need to know what bus you have and which engine. Your thread from July indicated it was a gasoline engine.
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Old 08-22-2022, 08:41 PM   #11
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When you say "jumping to cables" do you mean directly to the starter or connecting to the bus battery cables? If you can "jump start" it by connecting to the battery cables but it won't start with the battery installed then you have a battery problem. If you have to connect directly to the starter, bypassing the start solenoid then you have other problems.

Ted
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Old 08-22-2022, 08:50 PM   #12
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im no help, but i've done it.

my '93 has had it share of battery alternator problems.

i would not run without a battery attached.

i seem to run fine during the day when i have no electric load. its when i need lights and things the system gets wonky.

once a mechanical diesel engine is running..... go!
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Old 08-22-2022, 11:09 PM   #13
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BamaBus View Post
We really need to know what bus you have and which engine. Your thread from July indicated it was a gasoline engine.
Hello! Yes. It’s a 1987 Chevrolet Blue Bird Gas Engine

I apologize, I should have led with that
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Old 08-22-2022, 11:10 PM   #14
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Originally Posted by turf View Post
im no help, but i've done it.

my '93 has had it share of battery alternator problems.

i would not run without a battery attached.

i seem to run fine during the day when i have no electric load. its when i need lights and things the system gets wonky.

once a mechanical diesel engine is running..... go!
Ah!! Mine is a gas engine and I need to drive it from Sacramento to Los Angeles
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Old 08-22-2022, 11:12 PM   #15
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by magnakansas View Post
Do you know how to use a volt/ohm meter?

william
I do not, but I can learn! Been trying to learn as much as possible via The University of Youtube!
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Old 08-22-2022, 11:15 PM   #16
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TJones View Post
When you say "jumping to cables" do you mean directly to the starter or connecting to the bus battery cables? If you can "jump start" it by connecting to the battery cables but it won't start with the battery installed then you have a battery problem. If you have to connect directly to the starter, bypassing the start solenoid then you have other problems.

Ted
Hello there! Thank you for this. I sincerely appreciate it! It started fine connecting directly to the battery cables (where the battery is supposed to hook up), but once a battery and a new driveline were installed (those are the only things that were done so far), the bus receives power; lights come on and “bells and whistles go off”, but the bus won’t start (seems the starter isn’t receiving power)
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Old 08-22-2022, 11:25 PM   #17
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you say a new driveline installed?
what parts?
was the jump to start without battery before driveline work or after?
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Old 08-23-2022, 12:53 AM   #18
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223 View Post
you say a new driveline installed?
what parts?
was the jump to start without battery before driveline work or after?
Yes! The jump was before the driveline (drive shaft?) When I picked up the bus from the auction, it had no battery and it was given a jump -started up and no “bells and whistles” went off - the problem was that I noticed it was not accelerating past like 5 miles per hour even with the pedal to the floor - found out afterwards that the driveline was super bent and got it replaced along with the battery install. Now it won’t start :*(
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Old 08-23-2022, 07:19 AM   #19
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drfiveline as in drive shaft? or whole transmission and clutch?


sounds like the people who installed it knocked somethong loose.. im guessing it wont start wit ha jump now either since the driveline was changed?



does it start with a battery and a jump? if its a stick make sure they didnt knock the wires to the clutch switch loose.. if its an allison automatic, theres 2 wires coming off the side which go to a neutral safety switch.. (detects if the shifter is in 'N')...
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Old 08-23-2022, 09:29 AM   #20
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
drfiveline as in drive shaft? or whole transmission and clutch?


sounds like the people who installed it knocked somethong loose.. im guessing it wont start wit ha jump now either since the driveline was changed?



does it start with a battery and a jump? if its a stick make sure they didnt knock the wires to the clutch switch loose.. if its an allison automatic, theres 2 wires coming off the side which go to a neutral safety switch.. (detects if the shifter is in 'N')...
Hello! A new drive shaft. It’s an automatic engine. I’m gonna have to go back to Sacramento and check to see if this is what happened. I really appreciate the suggestions
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