Turn the key, Won't even click - NEED HELP FAST!!

[Adria Haynes]

Thank you also Frank. The solution was simple and embarassing but
could very well have been more. It's "fixed" now and I thank you
very much for your help.

John

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "fwernlein"
wrote:
> John, sounds like the starter switch at dash is likely problem.
Are
> you able to do a few dianostic steps? Use a a voltmeter, and a
> helper so you have enough hands...and confirm:
>
> *take out dash start switch (disconnect batt first), then
reconnect
> battery and check the connections for a tight fit and sort out the
> switch connections...find source 12tv, check for volts, then turn
to
> on and start and test terminals to see if the switch is working.
> *that you are in fact getting 12+ volts TO the starter solonoid
(big
> relay mounted on starter) from the battery. This will be big
> terminal stud. Check the ground..typically a strap...is it tight
> and clean at terminal ends?
> * are you getting the 12vt actuation volts to the soloniod when
key
> is placed to start? This terminal will be a smaller one...voltage
> here activates the solonoid, closing the relay, sending start
> voltage via the "big" battery cable to the starter motor. If you
> get the volts to the solonoid, but not cranking starter motor,
your
> soloniod may be problem.
>
> Frank
> 85FC33
> Woodbridge, Va.
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes"
> <mrbeebody@n...> wrote:
> > Gang,
> >
> > Our Memorial weekend trip was semi-ruined when our 1980 35FC
> > wouldn't stay running due to a fuel restriction problem. Since
> > then, I rebuilt the Racor, got it running like a top as recently
> as
> > a few days ago, and replaced all 4 batteries.
> >
> > This is Sunday afternoon and we are scheduled to leave for our
10
> > day family vacation on Thursday morning - which means today is
> > critical for preperations.
> >
> > I also just read the tutorial on here about how I was supposed
to
> > have been starting the generator. Like a moron, I thought maybe
I
> > would do the same with the ignition key and see if it fired up
any
> > faster. So I turned the ignition key backwards for about a 3
> second
> > count, then went to start it and got NOTHING. NO click, NO
NOTHING
> > AT ALL. I know the new batteries are full since the gage on the
> > dash says so as well as the one where you switch the bus to run
on
> > generator power - under the dinette in the doorway. I checked
all
> > the battery cables and all are tight. The interior lights all
> fire
> > right up with full brightness. There IS power inside the bus.
> >
> > My first thought is that I may have a bad ignition switch,
since -
> > well, you know how it makes that buzzing sound when you have the
> key
> > on with it not running and the "low air" light comes on? It
wasn't
> > even doing that - then it started to with the key "on". Being
> fancy
> > with the key THIS time is the only thing I have ever done
> different
> > on trying to start it in my life.
> >
> > Please, please, please help me gitter goin'. I really need this
> > thing to run like new. I've got me, 3 kids and a wife all DYING
> to
> > camp in it in 4 days, our reservation was made over 6 months
ago,
> > the campground is almost 4 hours away, another guy is counting
on
> me
> > to pull is boat up for the group, and a group of 10 other sites
of
> > family will be waiting for us - who have already made fun of me
> this
> > year once because "they paid less for their brand new travel
> > trailer than I did for my antique - and theirs starts every
> time".
> > They think they are much funnier than I do.
> >
> > I know it sounds like a simple problem, but I already test drove
> it
> > for 50 miles just last weekend and assumed it was ready to rock,
> and
> > I don't have much time to consider this anything but panic mode
> > really at this point.
> >
> > Thanks in advance if anybody can help.
> > John,
> > 810-869-2356 if you're not a typer.