|
|
08-16-2017, 06:46 AM
|
#61
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: IL
Posts: 205
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Never coached any teams, not even junior soccer
Chassis: I'm still figuring out what this means
Engine: CAT diesel
Rated Cap: No caps, only hats.
|
Hmm, more good ideas. I'm going to try all of that, along with some cursing, today (before it gets too hot).
THANKS ALL! SUPER NICE OF YAS TO RESPOND!
|
|
|
08-25-2017, 10:51 PM
|
#62
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: IL
Posts: 205
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Never coached any teams, not even junior soccer
Chassis: I'm still figuring out what this means
Engine: CAT diesel
Rated Cap: No caps, only hats.
|
Hi all! I haven't gotten the bus started yet, but it's been an interesting process.
New video up on YouTube:
|
|
|
08-29-2017, 05:28 PM
|
#63
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SW New Hampshire
Posts: 1,334
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by spenceronehalf
Hi all! I haven't gotten the bus started yet, but it's been an interesting process.
New video up on YouTube:
|
Any chance that you're stuck in Safety Switch Hell? All the doors (save the front one) and the roof hatches might have switches that prevent starting if the proper conditions are not met. Of course, it's a prison bus, so maybe all egress is welded shut and screw 'em in case of a fire.
|
|
|
08-29-2017, 06:09 PM
|
#64
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: IL
Posts: 205
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Never coached any teams, not even junior soccer
Chassis: I'm still figuring out what this means
Engine: CAT diesel
Rated Cap: No caps, only hats.
|
I guess there is a chance that that is what is going on, but you're right: all of the safety switches were previously bypassed, so I've never had trouble running it with skylights open and the back door open. With that said, there is still a chance.
I'm focusing on the batteries now as a possible culprit, as they seem quite low and aren't really charging up that well. Once I can rule out the batteries I think I'll try to find the starter solenoid ... then trouble shoot possible safety switches.
Thanks for putting your mind to it! Gotta get that old bus running again!
|
|
|
08-29-2017, 08:15 PM
|
#65
|
Traveling
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,573
Year: 2003
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: '00
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by spenceronehalf
I'm focusing on the batteries now as a possible culprit, as they seem quite low and aren't really charging up that well. Once I can rule out the batteries I think
Gotta get that old bus running again!
|
You have to rule-out the batteries. You can drag them into AutoZone or Pep Boys and they will load test them. You cannot jump the bus with even one dead battery and you will just screw-up your other truck. Diesels use much more juice to start: pre-heat/glo-plug and higher compression.
Clean your battery connections- they look like they need attention in the video, use one of them double-ended wire brushes.
Your wife/gf is funny- same expression I get when I rarely ask for help.
|
|
|
08-29-2017, 09:22 PM
|
#66
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: IL
Posts: 205
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Never coached any teams, not even junior soccer
Chassis: I'm still figuring out what this means
Engine: CAT diesel
Rated Cap: No caps, only hats.
|
Haha, yeah you're right: the batteries are likely shot.
|
|
|
08-29-2017, 09:23 PM
|
#67
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: IL
Posts: 205
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Never coached any teams, not even junior soccer
Chassis: I'm still figuring out what this means
Engine: CAT diesel
Rated Cap: No caps, only hats.
|
I figure there are only so many times I can ask her to come out to the Prison Bus to help me out ... you know what I mean?
|
|
|
09-03-2017, 04:26 PM
|
#68
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: IL
Posts: 205
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Never coached any teams, not even junior soccer
Chassis: I'm still figuring out what this means
Engine: CAT diesel
Rated Cap: No caps, only hats.
|
New Batteries in the Bus
Hey all,
I installed some new batteries in the bus, but as you'll see am still having some trouble starting the bus. I'll install the new relays and solenoid I ordered and see where that gets me. You can't really see it in my video, but several of the wires to the relays were completed rusted away, so there is hope!
New video is up on YouTube:
|
|
|
09-08-2017, 09:20 PM
|
#69
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: IL
Posts: 205
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Never coached any teams, not even junior soccer
Chassis: I'm still figuring out what this means
Engine: CAT diesel
Rated Cap: No caps, only hats.
|
The Prison Bus, She Runs Again!
Got the old prison bus started up this afternoon ... and a big thanks to everyone who helped out. In summary form, here's what I did to troubleshoot the ignition issues:
=> tried to test the starter to see if it was getting juice, but I couldn't really access the leads or tell what was what (I plead clueless)
=> replaced the batteries and cleaned up the battery bay, but still wouldn't start
=> tried to jump the ignition solenoid ... fried the main fuse in the bus, killing everything (doh!)
=> replaced that main 200 amp fuse, along with two ignition relays and the ignition solenoid
=> in the process I found two completely corroded (as in gone on the ends) wires leading to the ignition relays, so replaced those wires
And then she started up like it was nothing. Purrrred just like the old days.
It's so, so great to have the bus running again. Again, thanks to all for the many suggestions.
Spencer
|
|
|
09-08-2017, 10:34 PM
|
#70
|
Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burien, WA
Posts: 17
|
With the bus now running, will there be another "Dear Melissa" video? The first one was priceless!
__________________
Tim in Burien
|
|
|
09-09-2017, 05:07 AM
|
#71
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: IL
Posts: 205
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Never coached any teams, not even junior soccer
Chassis: I'm still figuring out what this means
Engine: CAT diesel
Rated Cap: No caps, only hats.
|
Ya know, I was thinking about it! When she heard the bus fire up out there in the driveway, I think she may have got some hope ... of what kind, I'm not sure. ;)
|
|
|
09-09-2017, 05:57 AM
|
#72
|
Traveling
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,573
Year: 2003
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: '00
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by spenceronehalf
Ya know, I was thinking about it! When she heard the bus fire up out there in the driveway, I think she may have got some hope ... of what kind, I'm not sure. ;)
|
Glad to hear you got it running ! Now back to work...
|
|
|
09-09-2017, 08:51 AM
|
#73
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Kansas
Posts: 224
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Engine: 8.3 Cummins, 643
|
Great news! In my profession we would diagnose that as an ABC, (another bad connection) it may not seem like it but having this issue now is a good thing! You solved a problem you won't have 200 mikes from home and I'm sure you got to know your bus during the process. I always feel "closer" to a vehicle after I have fixed it a few times! Like Rusty said now you can get back to the fun part ;)
|
|
|
09-09-2017, 08:56 AM
|
#74
|
Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,758
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
|
definitely great news that it lives!!! i second that once you fix / upgrade a few things on a bus you become less afraid of it and confident that if you bust out on the road that you can fix it!.. good stuff
-Christopher
|
|
|
09-09-2017, 10:44 AM
|
#75
|
Skoolie
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Lake geneva Wisconsin
Posts: 199
Year: 93
Coachwork: Amtran
Chassis: International
Engine: 7.3 idi
|
Glad shes running. I love your videos you crack me up
|
|
|
09-15-2017, 09:31 AM
|
#76
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: IL
Posts: 205
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Never coached any teams, not even junior soccer
Chassis: I'm still figuring out what this means
Engine: CAT diesel
Rated Cap: No caps, only hats.
|
Prison Bus Joy Ride
Thanks again to everyone who helped me troubleshoot my ignition problems. It is so nice to have the old prison bus running again.
My next video in the project series is on YouTube. Working on plumbing (mainly) this week.
|
|
|
09-15-2017, 09:31 AM
|
#77
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: IL
Posts: 205
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Never coached any teams, not even junior soccer
Chassis: I'm still figuring out what this means
Engine: CAT diesel
Rated Cap: No caps, only hats.
|
that is so true! I was hesitant to dig into the wiring ... then desperation made me do it ... and it paid off
|
|
|
09-15-2017, 10:13 AM
|
#78
|
Traveling
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,573
Year: 2003
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: '00
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by spenceronehalf
that is so true! I was hesitant to dig into the wiring ... then desperation made me do it ... and it paid off
|
Another fantastic video- I always stop and watch the latest offerings.
The bus does teach very valuable lessons, but unfortunately teaches them at inopportune times. "Yes, I'd love to learn about air brakes, but MOVE !!!"
I mark the date on parts I replace with a sharpie. I don't know why, but I do.
|
|
|
09-15-2017, 10:39 AM
|
#79
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Colorado
Posts: 400
|
Nice videos. Thanks
You got a sponsor ! You are now a Professional Youtuber.
|
|
|
09-15-2017, 11:07 AM
|
#80
|
Traveling
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,573
Year: 2003
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: '00
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ACamper
Nice videos. Thanks
You got a sponsor ! You are now a Professional Youtuber.
|
Pro Now. There goes the RV plates. Going to need that CDL, too. The Code of Federal Regulations has everything you need in it's compact 175,000 pages.
I have offers of sponsorship to get rid of my bus.
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|