95 Bluebird model Q RE 5.9 Cummins

[Walter62]

Replaced Starter on this 1995 Bluebird with a 5.9 Cummins Rear Engine Transit Bus. Turn the key to start and get a click from the Solenoid in electrical panel. Bus was starting normally. The only way to start it for a few days was to jump the starter. I did this with the old starter. I had a fuel leak so I went to replace the fuel line and by mistake I cut the oil line. After I repaired both fuel and oil lines. I tried to start it by jumping the starter. This time just clicks. So I replaced the old starter and also replaced the solenoid in the Electrical panel. But still no start same clicking when jumping the starter from underneath the bus. I also have 3 new batteries plenty of juice. I turned the flywheel with a Socket a couple rounds. Crawled back under the bus and jumped the starter and this time I get a slow movement of the starter trying to turn the flywheel for about 2-3 seconds then nothing. Did this a couple of times with same results. Still no go. I’m hopping someone here may know more about this phenomenon.
Thank you
Walter

[WIbluebird]

(1) check your batteries and battery cables. Also ground.

(2) If this is a school bus there is most likely an ignition interlock somewhere in play. I don't know much about the ignition interlocks on the mechanical buses but I would check all emergency exits and roof hatches, make sure they are closed and that the switches are functioning.

If you can determine what style of interlock you have you can look around for a bypass method.

Best of luck!

[Walter62]

Thank you I will try to find out more about the Interlocks. I’m really puzzled over the drag in the starter trying to spin the flywheel. I thought it might be some kinda vapor lock Thingy after losing about 3.5 gallons of oil when I cut the wrong hose. Because that’s the only thing I did before I started having the no starter spin when jumping the starter. Just one thing after another.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

new batteries are not always fully charged off of the shelf.
did you clean the battery cable connections? when you replaced things?
battery end and starter end?
and ground end connections?
also why are you having to jump the starter?
this might be that problem actually causing more problems?
parasitic drain even on new batteries?

[Rivetboy]

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223

new batteries are not always fully charged off of the shelf.
did you clean the battery cable connections? when you replaced things?
battery end and starter end?
and ground end connections?
also why are you having to jump the starter?
this might be that problem actually causing more problems?
parasitic drain even on new batteries?

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