2008 Saf-T-Liner C2 no crack / start

[Bula bus]

Need a little help I have a 2008 Saf-T-Liner C2 MBE 900 that won’t crank/start. When you turn the key on, it gets halfway through the self check of the normal process, and then it resets itself sometimes other times it goes all the way through, but then won’t start or crank, and sometimes it just gets stuck in a constant loop of trying to do the self check.

I have replaced the batteries and checked all of the wiring connections that I could find for corrosion. This problem just started when it got cold out.


Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Albatross]

possibly a bad computer, but my bet would be on a bad connection somewhere that shrunk a little bit with the weather change. Possibly a ground somewhere... But it's also possible that your computer just went tits-up.

 

[ewo1]

How about glow plugs ?
I don’t know the mbe engine but the question i ask myself, if the glow plug circuit fails in the cold would that signal the ecu that it is not ready to crank ???

I would also try jumping the starter just to see if it will run, that might help answer the question about the ecu being on vacation in the cold.

 

[nikitis]

It's for these reasons I added a bypass electronics starter button modification I recommend anyone with a pre-emissions diesel do so

See pic circled in red. Zoom in. It's a simple momentary switch that ties the solenoid on the starter to the positive battery lead which is the same as a jump start but can do it within the cab without trying to jump with a large flathead screwdriver on your back getting filthy. I simply turn the key to the On position, and press and hold within the comfort of my cab, staying clean. Once it starts I release and I'm running.

This will make it run regardless of ECM status.

The newer your bus and more dependant on computers it is the less likely this will work however. Works solidly for 3 Box buses. Maybe up to 2000 year 1 boxes. Not so sure for newer ones.

If your IDM is shot though this won't work. Only damaged ECM or VPM.

 

[ewo1]

Check out this thread, post #7.

https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f13/mbe-906-wont-start-36207.html

You will find a link for an mbe900 diagnostic manual.