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Topic: Engine Didn't Crank When Ignition Switch Activated (Read 608 times) previous topic - next topic

Engine Didn't Crank When Ignition Switch Activated

Yesterday morning I got up early to take the FT over to my local Cummins shop to have the oil pressure gauge
looked at to see why it constantly reads 55 lbs.  They said the Cummins side is fine and I need to consult an RV
place.

When I turned the key to start nothing happened.  The three chassis batteries are almost new and fully charged.
I kept trying the key and even with the boost on, still nothing.  Finally after a few more times of trying it finally
started. 

The coach batteries need my attention as they seem depleted, meaning that the inverter panel is flashing a warning
and nothing much happens with regard to any inverting taking place. 

The coach batteries being dead (if indeed they are) shouldn't have any bearing on the chassis batteries ability to crank the engine over..................should they?

Cummins said they have started the engine 15 times without a problem since I asked them to check it out while in their shop.

Ignition switch going south?


 

Re: Engine Didn't Crank When Ignition Switch Activated

Reply #1 –
More likely the IGNITION SOLENOID, which is "triggered" to close by the ignition switch.

Locate and troubleshoot the solenoid.  Probably behind the right front/passenger's vertical dash panel.

Common symptom is that nothing that normally works with the ignition on works-- the dash HVAC fan is an easy to tell item.

If you need diagnostic help, let us know.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Engine Didn't Crank When Ignition Switch Activated

Reply #2 –
The coach batteries are for starting the house batteries are for the inverter to turn to 120 and or use fro 12 volts.  IF those are weak that should not affect the start batteries but starting the coach repeatedly over a short time puts a heavy load on it.  Is it plugged in at home?  If not plug it in or run the generator and see if it will charge the house side.  Brett is probably right on the no start issue.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Engine Didn't Crank When Ignition Switch Activated

Reply #3 –
Don't know if it applies to your year coach, but if my transmission selector is NOT in neutral I get nothing when I try to start the engine. I must have a safety device.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Engine Didn't Crank When Ignition Switch Activated

Reply #4 –
And, with the electronic transmission in the 2003 coach, if the ignition switch or ignition solenoid are bad, the shift pad will not illuminate.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Engine Didn't Crank When Ignition Switch Activated

Reply #5 –
Quote from: John S –
Is it plugged in at home?  If not plug it in or run the generator and see if it will charge the house side.

Yes it's plugged in when here at home.  I pushed the "Charge" pad on the monitor and the coach batteries seemed to take a charge
to 12.75 VDC, but when the inverter was turned on and the microwave started it drew the charge down immediately.

I need to remove the house batteries and see what's what with them.

Thanks all.

Now I've got something to work with.

Re: Engine Didn't Crank When Ignition Switch Activated

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Traveling Man –
When I turned the key to start nothing happened.  The three chassis batteries are almost new and fully charged.
I kept trying the key and even with the boost on, still nothing.  Finally after a few more times of trying it finally
started. 

The coach batteries need my attention as they seem depleted, meaning that the inverter panel is flashing a warning
and nothing much happens with regard to any inverting taking place. 

The coach batteries being dead (if indeed they are) shouldn't have any bearing on the chassis batteries ability to crank the engine over..................should they?

To note here - the Boost switch links the house and chassis batteries so that

1)  if the chassis batteries are low, ignition can use "juice" from the house batteries to start the Cummins.  That is the function of the Boost switch.

2)  if the house batteries are low, Boost on will start draining the chassis batteries because everything just became a single battery bank tied together by the Boost switch

If your house batteries are in fact low (as indicated by the Prosine panel), best not to use the Boost switch in that condition.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Engine Didn't Crank When Ignition Switch Activated

Reply #7 –
I experienced this situation several times. And it turned out being the negative chassis battery cable was bad at the terminal connection. In fact taking it apart the post terminal was broken along side the tightening bolt. Unable to see until it was off.
John
1998 U270 34'

Re: Engine Didn't Crank When Ignition Switch Activated

Reply #8 –
T-man
Looks like you are getting great advice on the batteries.

I will share what happened to my oil pressure gauge last year and the solution.  My gauge pegged at 103- max.  My VMS-PC also read the same so I figured out it was a bad sending unit.  I was at Bernds in NAC getting new fuel lines and asked him to look into it.
Cummins told him that their solution ( for my 2001 U270 with ISC350) was a new sending unit that either read only 50-55 or 0.  Kinda like an idiot light- not acceptable.  Bernd did more research and found that the old sending unit was the same as used on the 5.9L Cummins.  He got one from the local NAPA store, had the right connections and guess what- it works.  I am getting true readings instead of a idiot gauge.

Not sure if this will work for you, but worth looking into.

Best of luck.
Ted
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Engine Didn't Crank When Ignition Switch Activated

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Ted & Karen –
T-man
Looks like you are getting great advice on the batteries.

I will share what happened to my oil pressure gauge last year and the solution.  My gauge pegged at 103- max.  My VMS-PC also read the same so I figured out it was a bad sending unit.  I was at Bernds in NAC getting new fuel lines and asked him to look into it.
Cummins told him that their solution ( for my 2001 U270 with ISC350) was a new sending unit that either read only 50-55 or 0.  Kinda like an idiot light- not acceptable.  Bernd did more research and found that the old sending unit was the same as used on the 5.9L Cummins.  He got one from the local NAPA store, had the right connections and guess what- it works.  I am getting true readings instead of a idiot gauge.

Not sure if this will work for you, but worth looking into.

Best of luck.
Ted


Ted,

Got a Part # ?

Re: Engine Didn't Crank When Ignition Switch Activated

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Ted & Karen –
I was at Bernds in NAC getting new fuel lines and asked him to look into it.
Cummins told him that their solution ( for my 2001 U270 with ISC350) was a new sending unit that either read only 50-55 or 0.  Kinda like an idiot light- not acceptable.  Bernd did more research and found that the old sending unit was the same as used on the 5.9L Cummins. 

Wonder if one could use Cummins Quickserve to get the part number for the specific engine they have (since ISC is potentially different than ISL or ISM) then cross-reference with NAPA.....
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320
 

Re: Engine Didn't Crank When Ignition Switch Activated

Reply #11 –
T-man - sorry I don't have the part number.  What I remember is that it had the same wiring harness clip ( 3 parts if I remember right) as the 5.9 L Cummins.  The 5.9L is used in the Dodge Ram Trucks and some smaller RV's.  If you ask for the oil pressure sensor, compare it to your wire connection that came off the old one- should be identical.

Best of luck with this.
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing