2001 Thomas Built 5.9 Cummins 24V

[Ourversionoflife3]

Hey everybody,

We're looking to buy our first bus for a conversion to live in full time. We have our eyes on a 2001 Thomas Built (Freightliner) 8 window bus.

We haven't seen it in person yet ( 6 hour drive for us), but it looks really nice in the photos. It's got a 5.9 Cummins 24V with an Allison 2000 transmission, which we're understanding is a pretty good combo.

It was all pointing towards the one to go for until I spoke with the seller and he informed me that the check engine and check transmission lights on the dash are both on... bummer. He did send me a picture of the indications while the engine is running.

I'm reaching out to you all here with way more knowledge than me to see if you think we should just keep looking or is there an easy way to find out what may be wrong? The seller does not have a diagnostic tool. Is it possible that it just needs an oil change or something relatively simple like that?

We appreciate any advice anyone can give!!

 

[CHEESE_WAGON]

The 5.9 / 2000 is indeed a capable package, but with warning lights on... Hrmmm...

Only way to find out for sure is to scan any codes. Well worth paying a competent diesel mechanic to pay a little visit with a code scanner to determine if it's a minor problem or a big one. A diesel mechanic's time is far cheaper for diagnosis before purchase than to diagnose AND repair AFTER purchase. Transmissions aren't cheap, and neither are tow bills. Hopefully it's something stupid and possibly an easy fix, but none of it is cheap, just cheap in comparison to other repairs. Independent analysis of fluid samples is a good idea as well. You can spot trouble with major mechanicals before you buy, and also prevent small problems from turning into big ones. Just my $0.02

 

[EastCoastCB]

Hey everybody,

We're looking to buy our first bus for a conversion to live in full time. We have our eyes on a 2001 Thomas Built (Freightliner) 8 window bus.

We haven't seen it in person yet ( 6 hour drive for us), but it looks really nice in the photos. It's got a 5.9 Cummins 24V with an Allison 2000 transmission, which we're understanding is a pretty good combo.

It was all pointing towards the one to go for until I spoke with the seller and he informed me that the check engine and check transmission lights on the dash are both on... bummer. He did send me a picture of the indications while the engine is running. View attachment 43751

I'm reaching out to you all here with way more knowledge than me to see if you think we should just keep looking or is there an easy way to find out what may be wrong? The seller does not have a diagnostic tool. Is it possible that it just needs an oil change or something relatively simple like that?

We appreciate any advice anyone can give!!

Definitely not an oil change. could be something serious, could just be some bad connections. the seller not having any info is pretty telling. Sounds like a hot potato to me and i wouldn't want to be left holding it. Get one with a clean bill of health from a school, not a "seller". May take more patience and you can still look all over for buses. Just don't rush into anything. Ask lots of questions here and to the seller.