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Mr Pickles
New Member
5 Posts |
 Posted - 11/06/2010 : 12:36:13 PM
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Hi All,
Just bought a '99 Amtran RE with the cursed t444e...I drove it 2100 miles over the last 4 days to get it home.
I've read thru a ton of the posts on starting issues, and can't find my situation...
So starting has been a real chore, especially cold. I turn the key on, let it do it's cycle, and try to start it, but the starter only turns over the motor for a second or two before it disengages and I hear the starter motor spinning and winding down.
The temp outside has been 60-70 degrees when this happens.
It has been happening more and more frequently when the engine is hot and I go to restart also.
I tried starting from the rear ignition in the engine compartment and it's the same issue.
If I keep cycling it eventually it starts, and smokes a little and runs a bit rough for a minute or so. On one occasion I noticed a puff of white smoke.
What the heck is making the starter disengage so quick?
If I'm correct it shouldn't be a glow plug/relay issue since the starter is disengaging?
Maybe some issue w/ the motor thinking the tranny is not in neutral? It's a push button trans, not sure of the make/model as of yet.
I saw a few posts about emergency exit door sensor issues?
Not enough voltage going to the starter? Where do I measure?
No codes are being thrown from the dash diagnostic button
I've looked at the software to pull codes from a laptop, which seems pretty expensive. Do any of the inexpensive scan tools read codes from this International?
Thanks so much!
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Edited by - Mr Pickles on 11/06/2010 1:57:00 PM
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baptistbusman1
Senior Member
USA
175 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2010 : 3:25:33 PM
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Had the same exact thing happen. Although it wasn't on an Amtran.
Check your battery, there should be a cable that has a fuse on it or a plug. Have someone shake these cables when you are trying to start the engine. Our problem was a short in one of these cables. |
I was formally Baptistbusman. However, I lost my password, and had not updated my email address.
Here is a link to my old posts. http://www.schoolbusfleet.com/forum/search.asp?mode=DoIt&MEMBER_ID=1846 |
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BJ Henderson
Advanced Member
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2010 : 5:18:29 PM
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| What you are describing sounds like a starter drive problem. From here :) |
CMTT,CMAT,CMBT |
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AmTran _Genesis
Active Member
USA
27 Posts |
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mastertech
Advanced Member
274 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2010 : 9:37:39 PM
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| Ive seen this maybe ten times in the last 15 years on the RE's. The starter drives just get to a point from rust and wear makes them pop out almost instantly and the starter will just freewheel . Just replace it. Being a 444e an quick amperage check of the glow plug leads should be standard check on PM's. You should be pulling at least 70 amps on each bank when the ignition is turned on. |
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Jake
Top Member
USA
3527 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2010 : 10:13:12 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by AmTran _Genesis
It looks like a nice bus. Can I see a pic from the front?
This is a mechanics section of the forum, there is no sense on bumping topics just to ask for pics or to say you like certain buses.. please use proper forum etiquette! |
Edited by - Jake on 12/08/2010 10:13:43 PM |
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Bassman
Top Member
USA
558 Posts |
Posted - 12/09/2010 : 03:59:57 AM
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| Sounds like starter drive to me. |
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Mr Pickles
New Member
5 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2010 : 3:52:46 PM
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| Well you guys were right on the starter drive...yanked that heavy thing out, the gear wheel on the starter spun pretty much freely. Got a new one @ napa for $280, she starts right up. Thanks! |
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T444E Starting issues...Hard to believe right?
