Fuse Panel Search

[bbqted]

I have a 1989 Thomas Built Bus on a Chevy Chassis.
I’ve located the panel next to the driver(pic attached) and the small fuse box under the dash but I cannot find is the central fuse panel. Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Freebo]

I think there is one in the engine bay on the drivers side.

 

[Simplicity-SKO]

Since it's on a Chevy chassis, I'm assuming it's a smaller sized bus? I'm also assuming that it's a conventional front engine dog nose type? Since I have a rear engine flat nose, I can only assume that your bus is like a typical car. The electrical panels are generally in the drivers area, under the hood or in some smaller buses, especially cut-away vans, there are actual circuit breakers in a box on the floor by the entrance door.

Pictures of the actual bus so we have some perspective would be helpful.

One thing I can tell you is having this tool has helped me in my electrical troubleshooting. It basically attaches to one end of a wire, sends a small electrical signal down that wire and then you use a wand to trace where the wire goes.

This and a good electrical meter will really make things easier.

https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Networks-26000900-Pro3000-Generator/dp/B000FTADX0

Best of luck.

 

[bbqted]

Unfortunately not visible. I’ve looked extensively. Unless it is behind something or an access panel it’s not like on other vehicles a plastic box right out in the open.

 

[bbqted]

Thank you, I’ve started a new thread with two pictures of the bus. I appreciate your help.

 

[Simplicity-SKO]

I get that you're frustrated, yet you need to help us help you.

When I asked for pictures to give us some perspective, I meant of things like the engine compartment and drivers area so we can see what's there. No close ups as we can't tell what we're looking at, yet not so far away we can't see anything.

Have you looked on the outside of the bus. Some buses outside panel doors that access various operational systems, like fuse and wiring panels.

Buses are more like trucks than cars, so they may hide things in different places.

I found a lot of Thomas electrical document for sale online. You may need to go that route.

The other thing you could do is call the current Thomas service organization, I believe it's Freightliner, and see if they can give you a clue.

Finally, follow your wires. They all lead somewhere. Since your bus is a front engine, the fuses are close to the engine compartment and dash, where all the wires are.

It's there. Grab a really good flashlight, take a breath and systematically start your search.

Best of luck.

 

[bbqted]

Thanks, it sounds easy but the way the wiring is designed it’s hard to follow a mess. Called Thomasville numerous times and no
Access panels outside that I’ve seen and or found.
Sorry about the pic understanding....

 

[Rwnielsen]

I'm thinking that photo is your main fuse panel. It feeds all your switches, it has at least 1 solenoid for switched outputs and it's in the right location. What exactly are you searching for?

 

[bbqted]

You could very well be right however I am told there should be a main. I’ve already had a response showing what I’m looking for on another bus. You say main fuse panel, there’s very few fuses in there, most are breakers and connections but based on my search so far, you are right. Would you be so kind as to explain one solenoid for switched outputs? Currently everything in this panel is dead another reason I assumed there to be more. Thanks!

 

[Danjo-SKO]

As Oprah would say, “Look under your seat!”.

My bus is 10 years newer, but you may find that this is the same. As another poster said there’s probably one under the hood, against the driver side inner fender.

 

[bbqted]

Seat has been removed. Fender part of hood that pulls out.

 

[Rwnielsen]

You could very well be right however I am told there should be a main. I’ve already had a response showing what I’m looking for on another bus. You say main fuse panel, there’s very few fuses in there, most are breakers and connections but based on my search so far, you are right. Would you be so kind as to explain one solenoid for switched outputs? Currently everything in this panel is dead another reason I assumed there to be more. Thanks!

The solenoid that I'm referring to is just to the left of what looks to be a blower motor, at the bottom of the picture. Your ignition switch activates this to energize all the running circuits...wipers, pumps, accessories, radios etc. Just like in a car except the solenoid can carry much more current than the ignition switch itself. Then power travels from the solenoid to the fuse block (distribution block). From there through fuses and/or circuit breakers to all the various loads on the bus. There is a hot wire going to your ignition switch (probably through a circuit breaker) which energizes this solenoid. ACC when your parked, IGN when running and Start which will, most likely, power a separate start solenoid or relay and then the starter.
The solenoid in your photo looks to have a battery connection on the left and several wires on the right. You can physically trace the wires to see where they go. There's a red/orange pair at the bottom that shouldn't be running through that hole on the panel, looks like they go to one of your switches, a couple abandoned yellows next to what looks to be a flasher
This kind of crap is right up my alley, if you spend a few hours straightening up you wiring it will be much easier down the road, especially the side of the road at night when its raining :wink1:
A decent automotive test light will be your savior in this situation, something like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Cont...=automotive+test+light&qid=1616430808&sr=8-11

PM me if you want to talk on the phone

 

[Simplicity-SKO]

As Oprah would say, “Look under your seat!”.

Good one Danjo!

BBQ, on the other thread for this same problem, didn't someone post a picture of where to look? If so, what did you find there?

In general, the "mess" of wires is generally a Main or Sub panel. Everything else thins out as they go off to their particular device to switch on.

In a front engine vehicle, pretty much all the electrical is on the firewall or under the dash. Sometimes under Oprah's seat, behind a panel, etc.

The test light is a good tool to have, but if you have no electricity going down the line, it won't do you much good to trace things. Per my earlier post, this tracer unit will provide an electrical signal. Then you can follow the tone of the remote to either an open, short or the termination point of the particular wire you're tracing.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Fluke-Netw...eBTFSAAeeGVd3CHn3XhoCVrIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

my 86 thomas the same size but on a ford chassis.
i have one small fuse box under the dash above the headlight dimmer switch.
and then the same fuse/solenoid access area that you showed in your picture.
all of the starting stuff is in the big panel most of the stuff in the small box under the dash is the chassis related specific to turn signal, headlight and ignition signal out to start solenoid.

 

[Rwnielsen]

I was referring to actual electrical troubleshooting. I have one of those Fluke tracers and they're nicely made. I use it to locate individual data and communication lines in server racks and phone boards. They can't tell you if a relay is powered and not working, check a fuse or switch and you can't probe around an ignition switch to check for power either. They will help you locate a wire if you already have a good idea where it goes and not much else.

 

[Simplicity-SKO]

I was referring to actual electrical troubleshooting. I have one of those Fluke tracers and they're nicely made. I use it to locate individual data and communication lines in server racks and phone boards. They can't tell you if a relay is powered and not working, check a fuse or switch and you can't probe around an ignition switch to check for power either. They will help you locate a wire if you already have a good idea where it goes and not much else.

Agreed. Both tools are good to have. I believe the OP stated everything was dead. So, if there's literally no voltage, a trouble light isn't going to work, at least my basic one won't.

A good meter for continuity in a no power situation is important too.

 

[Rwnielsen]

It sure would be easier to fix if we were standing there but I think we can get him going

 

[bbqted]

My apology for posting so many on the same issue. I’ve found you can’t edit original posts and with suggestions to provide more info I did more posts.
I’m answer to the pic posted on what I found. I’ve yet to find anything. The only area I haven’t looked is the 18” space between the firewall and the engine. I cannot figur out how to remove that panel. Thanks so much for your help.

 

[Simplicity-SKO]

Maybe it's time we approach this from a different perspective.

Besides not being able to find what you think is a main panel, what is the actual problem you are having and want to solve?

 

[bbqted]

Everything in that panel is dead. Maybe the first two contacts have life and the red power cord on the right side of the solenoid shows fire, everything else is dead. The digital sign on front, pa/stereo, fan, heat all dead.
Running lights, head and tail all working although I did blow a fuse to stop lights the other night. Replaced it and now they stay on. Another issue.
I want to regain life back to that panel and clean it up.