Skoolie Electrician/Mechanic Wanted - North Georgia

[magnakansas]

The transmission control computer has an out put to a starter relay. The idea is this—- if the shifter is not in Neutral—- NOT in neutral! The controls will not allow the starter to operate. I have seen more than once this to occur.

There are about two dozen reasons why your starter will not engage.

First test I would like you to

Make certain shifter is in neutral.

Block rear wheels on right and left to prevent bus driving forward or reverse.

Connect battery 12 volt positive to the “start” terminal on the starter motor.

Did Something happen?

This is where I would start.

Oi! Telephone me. 785 207 7600

William

[Dbacks2k4]

Hello... I've got a whole fleet of that age ic CE300s so maybe I can help a little.

The single click you're hearing in the electrical panel is most likely the accessory solenoid. There are two barrel solenoids in there. One is for most of the accessories like dome lights. It clicks on when the key is turned on. The other is usually slaved off the first and is tied to the noise kill switch on the dash. Things that make noise like your radio, heater fans, etc are on this... The idea being that a school bus driver can quickly shut off noisy things to listen for trains at rr crossings.

The "rear" panel you're referring to is a thing on RE buses so a mechanic can start the bus from the back engine bay without having to go up front each time. Your CE won't have it.

When you turn the key on and hear the click, do you also hear a low buzzing or rattling coming from the engine? Should buzz for about 5 to 10 seconds or so. That would be your fuel injectors buzzing and should be the first thing you hear before the tick-tick 2 times coming from each wheel for abs (8 tick-ticks total)

The parking light on the dash should always be lit anytime the yellow square parking brake knob is out. If it only comes on sometimes it could just be a bad sensor or bad wire to the sensor. It's fed off the engine control module (ecm) but that wouldn't cause a no-start.

The momentary toggle switch under the shifter is probably economy mode. Unrelated to starting.

If you had disconnected things in your battery box id first double check that all of you battery connections are tight and in the right order. Also make sure you didn't miss a wire that's fell down behind the battery.

For diagnostics you'll need a nexiq USB adapter. They're about $700 for a legit one, there are Chinese knockoffs for cheaper that some people have had luck with. Then download Navistar servicemaxx to a laptop. It's free from a snap-on website. The codes in there can help pinpoint the issue closer.

[Dbacks2k4]

I made a quick little troubleshooting video while at my shop this morning. About the same things I mentioned in my last post...but hopefully this helps some.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyXpMcVyinA

[Pnutty]

Originally Posted by magnakansas

The transmission control computer has an out put to a starter relay. The idea is this—- if the shifter is not in Neutral—- NOT in neutral! The controls will not allow the starter to operate. I have seen more than once this to occur.

There are about two dozen reasons why your starter will not engage.

First test I would like you to

Make certain shifter is in neutral.

Block rear wheels on right and left to prevent bus driving forward or reverse.

Connect battery 12 volt positive to the “start” terminal on the starter motor.

Did Something happen?

This is where I would start.

Oi! Telephone me. 785 207 7600

William

Thanks magnakansas. I did not make it up to the bus this weekend so I will be attempting your suggestion next weekend if the weather holds out. This is pretty embarrassing but I'm not sure I can get to the starter, unless I am looking at the wrong part. ?

[Pnutty]

Originally Posted by Dbacks2k4

I made a quick little troubleshooting video while at my shop this morning. About the same things I mentioned in my last post...but hopefully this helps some.

Great video, and very helpful, along with added confusion. I was under the impression that in the electrical panel the barrel solenoid on the left was the accessory solenoid and the one on the right was the starter solenoid. The one on the right is what the first mechanic replaced to get the bus to start, he gave me the old part. Since the bus wouldn't start again after I got it parked, I replaced BOTH of the barrel solenoids. Still same issue.

My bus is a 2007 CE300, motor paint is the same blue/green as yours. My fuse panel is all fuses, I have never seen those fuse panel breakers before.

I have a lot to look into next trip up. I will post any progress. Thanks again for the video, great idea. I may make a video of what I see on my bus and speak about things attempted, to maybe spark someone's brain with an ah-ha moment.