Engine won't start

[Ron Johnson]

I have another topic going under 'Cold Start' however another issue has come up which is that the engine will not turn over. The chassis batteries are new and fully charged - when I turn the key the dash lights come on but the engine does not begin to turn over - no sound at all - the solenoid may be clicking but so far we have not positioned ourselves hear it. It is currently 9F here so I'm waiting  til it warms up a bit before extending the jacks enough to crawl under [safely] to try to tap the solenoid while my wife hits the start button from the back control position. The Hurricane heater is on a hopefully circulating warming fluid to the engine.

In the meantime, does anyone know what starter this could be? Leese- Neville? I am calling Beaver Coach sales with the VIN number to see if I can find out from them but at this point any advice would be appreciated.

[Dave Atherton]

Ron Johnson, your question on starter, there is 14 starters to choose from for your C-12.
Need your engine S/N number and I can provide your correct starter. There is also a relay
That will not engage your starter. Dave Atherton Retired cat Mechanic

[Ron Johnson]

Tapping the starter did the trick again and we got fired up after cranking the engine for at least a minute in 19F. We overnighted in Raton NM on the way to Hal Burns Truck in Santa Fe for a new starter - left the engine on all night. I guess it is possible this Coach was built without a block heater but I will keep looking after we get to the shop.

Dave the starter is stamped Caterpiller with the numbers 8C3592 cw and 8c3592 12I and the VIN is 4SLD9HR3XY1153297. Thanks again for all your help.

[Ron Johnson]

We are at the shop in Santa Fe, the new starter has been installed [not a Cat starter] and something electrical is wrong. The Coach CMP is reading single digit voltages whereas a multimeter shows the chassis batteries have a good charge. Further when I turn the key NO LIGHTS appear on the dash, when I try to start the engine nothing happens. When I push the 'boost' button the dash lights come on as normal and the engine starts right up. The techs are still tracing wires trying to make this happen.

My question - is there something proprietary about a Cat starter motor that my ignition and CMP NEEDS in order to work properly??

[Steve Huber]

Ron,
If I had to guess, I'd say they shorted out the chassis battery cable to ground when changing the starter. This could have nailed the chassis battery fuse. You'd still have a good reading at the battery but not at the ignition relay, etc. Using the boost switch, you're starting the engine on the house batteries.
Steve

[Edward Buker]

Ron,

Steve is giving you a very good diagnosis, there are few other causes then the main chassis battery fuse above the battery banks. It could also be possible that if you have a rear start switch that it was left in the wrong position or the chassis battery switch is off. If the copper busses in the electrical bay do not have 12V, it is the fuse or the battery switch, if they do have 12V check the rear start switch set up if you have one. I think the rear start switch just affects the ignition start ability and not the dash lights etc but I would check it anyway if the fuse is good.

Later Ed

[Ron Johnson]

Thank you Steve and Ed .. they ended up cleaning the grounds to the chassis and engine and everything is good now. I don't know whether they  did or did not short anything out .. the engine started fine on the old starter before they removed it. It felt good to be able to turn the engine off in the fuel bay last night!!