Hesitation in Starting Engine

[steve wicker]

Ken,

I had a bad connection on 1 of the 4 batteries in my bus. I would turn my
key to the "ON" position (not start) and the in-dash volt meter would read just
what it should. Then I would try to start it, and it wouldn't turn over, acting
like the batteries were really low. The in-dash voltmeter read a horrible drain
when I tried to start it, then come back slowly when I let off the start
position.
Question: Is your engine failing to turn over at all on start up, or is it
turning really slow in the start position?

I too took a volt meter and read my batteries, and they were all
fine...until I tried to start the engine. Then they acted dead b/c of the bad
connection. I actually heard a "zzz-zzap" from the battery compartment with a
little poof of faint smoke.
One sure way I was able to determine this was feel all the the battery top
post connections. I found one that was HOT, and taking off the wire discovered
it was terribly corroded, thus the short in the connection. In fact, it got so
hot that it melted the plastic battery casing around the terminal and the
terminal actually FELL OUT. Of course, then I had to replace the battery.
If you have a helper, have them look for sparks, clicks, pops, whatever
from the back when you're trying to start it. If your problem is similar to the
one I had, then feel the battery to see if one connection is hot.

Besides that, possible a starter getting weak?? Again, please be
specific on whether or not your engine turns slow and then starts, or whether or
not it turns over at all and then fires right up.
And I'm assuming you have an electric starter. I also had a old bus
with an air starter that would hesitate b/c of a bad air solenoid.

Steve
2 '98 QBRE Partybuses 8.3 Cummins

imgetnab2 wrote:
Greetings All:
The last few times I've started by Bird (an '83 FC), it's hesitated
before starting. The first time it happened, we had been traveling
for quite a few hours, and had stopped for dinner and to let the
engine cool down. When I went to start it after dinner, it acted
like the batteries were dead, and took 3-4 turns of the key to get
the engine to start (the engine had not overheated, and ran at about
185 degrees all day long). I started the generator, which seemed to
give it enough 'boost' to turn the engine and it took right off. By
the way, I did check to make sure the transmission was in neutral
(done that before!)

Once we got home, I let it sit over night, then took my volt meter
and measured the batteries (without being plugged in). The
batteries registered 12.61. At the posts back by the step, I
registered 12.55, and at the starter I got 12.55. But when I
started the engine, it hesitated again. On the second turn of the
key, the engine caught and it started.

If it were a gas engine, I would think that the timing is off a
little. The engine runs beautifully, and has always fired right
away when I've turned it over.

If any of you have had similar situations, or might know what I
should check, I'd really appreciate your insight. Thanks!

Ken Johnson
Midland, MI
'83 FC 33




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Steve Wicker
http://www.360partybus.com
828-236-2841/301-0245

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