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Cat non start

December 10, 2012, 03:24:44 pm

I am trying by phone to help out a friend with a 95 Safari with a Cat with start problem. He allowed house batteries to cook.
House batteries were replaced.
Engine will not start without depressing BOOST switch.
Start batteries were inspected and tested by battery dealer and found to be OK.
When engine running Alternator is putting 14 +- at start batteries.
I am confused as to why engine will start with boost on even though both battery banks are OK. But will not start without BOOST.
Even if Starter solenoid is bad the engine should not start with boost on  , Right ?
What am I missing here  ?
Any advice appreciated.  He is leaving for FL T'day and I advised him that he would be OK to start with boost and when we get to FL in JAN we will look into it further.

Gary B

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Re: Cat non start

Reply #1 – December 10, 2012, 03:30:22 pm

Gary,

With negative wire removed from the start batteries and boost switch off, check all connections from battery to starter solenoid and starter.  Check connections for engine ground if ground wire at battery is not to engine.

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Reply #2 – December 10, 2012, 03:34:20 pm

Rudy, I had him do that when he put the new batteries in.  Removed and cleaned all connections at posts and I had him follow grounds to frame and remove and clean them.
He is not very mechanically inclined and the solenoid he found and cleaned may not be the starter solenoid.  I am not familiar with how Safari handles boost and starter solenoids.  When key is turned there is no CLICK, even with boost on. ??
Gary B

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Re: Cat non start

Reply #3 – December 10, 2012, 04:04:47 pm

Gary,

For the symptom of key turned to start and no click, one needs to check the path from the key to the starter solenoid.

Does the signal from the key to the starter have 12 vdc in start mode?  If yes, key switch good.

Does the wire at the starter solenoid from the key have 12 vdc?  If yes, the solenoid is not engaging when energized and needs replacing or the connection at the solenoid for the signal wire is open and in need of cleaning and re-securing.

If no, the wire from the key switch is not conducting the signal to the solenoid.

This check would be valid no matter the boost switch setting.

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Reply #4 – December 10, 2012, 04:51:52 pm

Rudy, I agree with you. Problem is trying to get someone who has no skill to do what you are asking him.  Last word was that he is leaving in the AM for FL and as long as he can start with BOOST on he will be OK.  I will meet up with him in 2 weeks in FL and will explore it further.
Thanks
Gary B

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Reply #5 – December 10, 2012, 05:04:07 pm

A bad / loose battery cable would be my first look see.
Dave M

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Reply #6 – December 12, 2012, 05:06:41 pm

After another hour on the phone in trying to fix this problem long distance I asked him to go back to step one at the point he replaced his house batteries.  Guess what ? He found that one ground cable had not been attached right ( Both were on the same post ).  HE got the cables straightened out and all is well. He is on his way south to FL.  I feel sorry for folks that have little ( like me ) or no mechanical ability and then have a problem.  The upside of this is that he learned a little more about his coach and maybe next time he can fix it on his own.
Thanks for all the suggestions and information you passed along to me.

Gary B

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Re: Cat non start

Reply #7 – December 12, 2012, 05:23:54 pm

Weird!

I have a friend who has just purchased the same coach and he has the same problem!  Maybe I will look like a genius now when I help him fix it!!!!


Keith

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