HELP, I CAN’T GET THE COACH STARTED!

[Mike and Cathy Cleghorn]

HELP, I CAN’T GET THE COACH STARTED!  

We stored our ’02 Marquis for November and December without shore-power, as we have successfully done in the past.  I did not use the coach or chassis disconnect switches in the battery compartment, hoping that the solar panels and Echo charger would again keep both sets of batteries “toped off”. This time, however and unfortunately, I left the AquaHot Diesel burner circuit on for the last two months. We got back to the coach last night (the Aqua Hot tank & hot water were nice & hot), but, both coach and chassis batteries we “dead”. I was able to connect to 50amp service, turned all circuit breakers, switches, and inverter charger back on. I called AAA, and they sent a unit out that gave us a jump, with NO success. The engine did not even turn over, and all that happened was a “click” noise when we tried to start it. By the way, we have a fuel tank that is ¾ full.

So, we let the coach’s charger work overnight, and by about noon, I tried to start the it again, with no success, just the same “clicking” noise. I was able to start the gen-set, using the power-boost switch. When I was trying to determine the problem last night, I inadvertently left the start switch in the “filter” bay, in the neutral position (not in the “rear start”, or “front start” positions, but in the mid position, between the two.). Mid-day today, I discovered my error, reset the switch to “front start”, and was able for the first time to get the engine to “turn-over”, but the engine still would not start. The engine seems to “crank over” quit robustly – about normal. I’ve let it crank to a count of about 20, but to no avail.

I’ve been talking to my friend Jim Gillis, who also has a ’02 Marquis, and he has been helping me troubleshoot the problem. One possible problem seemed to be the fuel delivery system, but the “clear” fuel pump does appear to be to show activity, since the fuel in the fuel cylinder in the “filter” bay with the mesh screen, appears to “swirl” with an gap at the top of about 1” and a lot of agitation when we try to start the coach (Am I making myself clear?).

I do have an auxiliary  “jumper battery” that delivers “1700 peak amps”, and have used it twice, in conjunction with the “power boost”, but still no luck.

We are about out of ideas. I’m hoping that someone may have some additional suggestions. Our Internet access is iffy here, so give me a call at (503) 307-5783, or post your help on the fourm. Thanks, Mike & Cathy Cleghorn

[Gerald Farris]

Mike finally got the coach started. Will post the problem as soon as we figure it out.

Gerald

[Mike and Cathy Cleghorn]

I thought I’d let you all know our happy ending. To make a long day, and long story short, new chassis batteries and my wife’s suggestion to try the rear start did the trick! After installing new chassis batteries, the coach still would not start. My wife, Cathy, said, “Why don’t you try the rear start switch”, and boom, it started right up. I selected the front start again, but it just cranked without starting. Roy Mueller suggested rocking the rear start selector switch several times, as he said that he had seen this switch become fouled.  Well, that worked, and the coach now starts from the front as well.

It sure makes us feel good to know that there are people out there that care, and are willing to help. Thanks to the many suggestion, and time given on New Years Day to Roy Mueller, Gearld Farris, George Harwell, Larry Shirk, and of course my bud, Jim Gillis!

[Joel Ashley]

Mike-
Very glad to hear you've started the new year off right with your problem resolved.  Less than an hour after you posted it, I read your original holler for assistance with some anxiousness as I tried to envision what could be haywire, running numerous scenarios through my mind.  But I had to admit your description of front and rear start switches had me befuddled as that is not something I've run across in my relatively short exposure to diesel motorhomes.  I opted to keep my thoughts to myself, figuring Gerald and others more familiar with your coach would soon step up to assist, as they most surely did.

In reading your subsequent post, I surmise that some rigs must be configured with a 3 point rocker switch that allows service personnel to start the engine from a button in the engine compartment rather than traipse back and forth to the driver's seat.  To my knowledge, my coach doesn't have that feature, so I was unfamiliar with it.  Could you or Gerald or others confirm that I correctly understand things?  

If that is the case, I would take that rocker switch out, disassemble it if possible, and thoroughly check it;  perhaps a good cleaning and application of dielectric grease would prevent a recurrence.

[LEAH DRAPER]

 To my knowledge, my coach doesn't have that feature, so I was unfamiliar with it.  Could you or Gerald or others confirm that I correctly understand things?  

YEP, That is so.  both my coaches had that feature.  It is nice for service , but if the service guy doesn't switch it back then it can give one "pause".

[Gerald Farris]

The rear start service switch is a feature on many of the SMC era (1996-2002) Beaver coaches. I think that the switch was phased out by Monaco on most if not all coaches.

Gerald

[Bruce Benson]

I would lay out the $10 or less and buy a new switch, perhaps at Radio Shack.  Mine is is a toggle rather than a rocker.

Bruce