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Old 08-28-2022, 10:09 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 14
Why won't my bus catch and start up?

I have a bus that has been sitting for a few months and is now struggling to start for some unknown to me reason. I don't want to make the issue worse by just trying things when I know it easily started up in March. I put brand new batteries in it this week which allowed it to attempt to start vs just being dead as it had been but it still just won't catch and start for some reason. I am looking for somebody who knows buses/diesel engines who would be willing to meet me in Belfast, ME to see if they might have more luck than myself. Alternatively, somebody who might be able to Zoom with me or otherwise offer advice on what steps I might be able to take myself. I need to move it this month (trying to sell it) and am heavily pregnant (due the end of October) so need to do it as soon as possible. If you can do this or know of anyone in the area who could, please have them reach out to me here and I will get right back to you! Thank you!

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Old 08-28-2022, 02:21 PM   #2
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: topeka kansas
Posts: 1,769
Year: 1954
Coachwork: wayne
Chassis: old f500- new 2005 f-450
Engine: cummins 12 valve
Rated Cap: 20? five rows of 4?
not enough information

year.... what year is this bus?

engine? what kind of engine is in this bus?

what kind of bus is this? one that looks like a van with a bus hanging on behind it? one that looks like a big truck? One that has a flat front?

we need more information to of any use to you at all

william
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Old 08-28-2022, 02:41 PM   #3
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Communist State of New Jersey
Posts: 964
Year: 2004
Coachwork: IC
Chassis: CE200
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 27,500
As William said you need to provide specific information about your bus in order for someone to be able to provide suggestions.

Whatever you do don't run the batteries down by cranking it too much.
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Old 08-28-2022, 06:19 PM   #4
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 2,356
Year: 1993
Coachwork: bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins, Allison AT1545
Rated Cap: 2
is the starter turning but not catching, or is the motor turning over?

i ground the gear off my starter and it needed replaced since the teeth wouldnt catch the flywheel anymore.

mine was an easy fix. replace the starter, 2 bolts and a some power lugs.

good luck
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Old 08-28-2022, 06:33 PM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 14
Sorry, new to all this and already having to sell so wasn't even thinking... It's a 2003 Thomas Freightliner. Beyond that, I have absolutely no idea. I don't even know much about regular cars that I actually have driven half my life, the diesel bus thing is throwing me...
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Old 08-28-2022, 06:57 PM   #6
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Communist State of New Jersey
Posts: 964
Year: 2004
Coachwork: IC
Chassis: CE200
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 27,500
No need to apologize. We all have to learn stuff when we start messing around building a skoolie.

If you take a couple pictures of the bus as a whole, and a couple of the engine compartment so we can see the engine, chances are someone here will recognize it.
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Old 08-29-2022, 04:30 AM   #7
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 14
Unfortunately I do not have any pictures of the engine as I have never opened the hood but this is my ad that I posted and there's a few pictures there including a couple of the dash. Maybe that would help identify it?

https://maine.craigslist.org/spo/d/belfast-2003-thomas-freightliner-full/7512715526.html
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Old 08-31-2022, 04:45 AM   #8
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 14
So I have tried to open the engine compartment but I don't know if there's some sort of latch or button I am missing but it wouldn't open 🤦*♀️ I undid the two side ones but couldn't get the front to pull open. Two of us tried.. So I am unsure of the engine type still. I did take a picture of the label inside hoping maybe somebody could get something off of that which might help narrow it down. If not, I'd be happy with any type of suggestions that I could try that wouldn't hurt it.
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