Starting problem

[thomas r whitton]

Would you guys tell me where to look first for a starting problem that just reared it's ugly head.  When I turn the key to start nothing happens but the coach starts immediately using the boost switch.  I checked both batteries.  Both were fine, showing almost 14 volts.  Where do I check first?  
Thanks,
Tom Whitton26 foot updated GMCPaducah, KY

 

[Larry Davick]

It sounds to me like dirty battery cable connections.

Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine

>
> Would you guys tell me where to look first for a starting problem that just reared it's ugly head. When I turn the key to start nothing happens but the coach starts immediately using the boost switch. I checked both batteries. Both were fine, showing almost 14 volts. Where do I check first?
> Thanks,
> Tom Whitton26 foot updated GMCPaducah, KY
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[roy keen]

> Would you guys tell me where to look first for a starting problem that just reared it's ugly head.  When I turn the key to start nothing happens
> but the coach starts immediately using the boost switch.  I checked both batteries.  Both were fine, showing almost 14 volts.  Where do I check
> first?  
> Thanks,
> Tom Whitton26 foot updated GMCPaducah, KY
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

I would check the starting battery cables for a bad or loose connection both positive and negative. With a voltmeter on the plus terminal and negative
terminal do you show 12 volts while trying to start it normally? If so it's probibly a loose cable. If the volts goes down a few volts lower I would
suspect a bad start battery or discharged one.
--
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook

 

[Jim Hupy]

Start with the connections on the engine battery, then to the boost switch,
then to the starter, then to ground. You will most likely find it. Grab the
cables with your hand and try to move them. Don't be gentle.
Jim Hupy

> > Would you guys tell me where to look first for a starting problem that
> just reared it's ugly head. When I turn the key to start nothing happens
> > but the coach starts immediately using the boost switch. I checked both
> batteries. Both were fine, showing almost 14 volts. Where do I check
> > first?
> > Thanks,
> > Tom Whitton26 foot updated GMCPaducah, KY
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> I would check the starting battery cables for a bad or loose connection
> both positive and negative. With a voltmeter on the plus terminal and
> negative
> terminal do you show 12 volts while trying to start it normally? If so
> it's probibly a loose cable. If the volts goes down a few volts lower I
> would
> suspect a bad start battery or discharged one.
> --
> Roy Keen
> Minden,NV
> 76 X Glenbrook
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[Ken H.]

And don't ignore the cable end to cable connections either. I was having a
slow starting problem which I couldn't find until my son was watching as I
hit the starter. Smoke coming out of the connector at the cable was a good
clue.

Ken H.

> Start with the connections on the engine battery, then to the boost switch,
> then to the starter, then to ground. You will most likely find it. Grab the
> cables with your hand and try to move them. Don't be gentle.
> Jim Hupy
>

>

> > > Would you guys tell me where to look first for a starting problem that
> > just reared it's ugly head. When I turn the key to start nothing happens
> > > but the coach starts immediately using the boost switch. I checked
> both
> > batteries. Both were fine, showing almost 14 volts. Where do I check
> > > first?
> > > Thanks,
> > > Tom Whitton26 foot updated GMCPaducah, KY
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> > I would check the starting battery cables for a bad or loose connection
> > both positive and negative. With a voltmeter on the plus terminal and
> > negative
> > terminal do you show 12 volts while trying to start it normally? If so
> > it's probibly a loose cable. If the volts goes down a few volts lower I
> > would
> > suspect a bad start battery or discharged one.
> > --
> > Roy Keen
> > Minden,NV
> > 76 X Glenbrook
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[johnny]

If the chassis battery still measures ~~14 V when you turn the keyto start (Measured at the battery posts, the cables or connections are FUBAR
somewhere. If however it drops to nothing, the battery is toast.

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased

 

[thomas r whitton]

Everyone that suggested a solution to my problem was exactly right.  Basically, check the battery cables.  The problem turned out to be a broken signal running from the auto battery.  I traced everything I could think of and removed the batteries to take them in for a good test.  The batteries tested good.  As I was putting everything back together I found the end of a connection to the signal wire laying under the coach.  It had fallen off when I disconnected the battery.  Soldered on a new end, turned the key and the engine fired without the boost switch.  Bingo!  Simple solution but hard to find.  
Thanks for the suggestions.
Tom Whitton 26 foot updated GMCPaducah, KY
Original question:Would you guys tell me where to look first for a starting problem that just reared it's ugly head.  When I turn the key to start nothing happens but the coach starts immediately using the boost switch.  I checked both batteries.  Both were fine, showing almost 14 volts.  Where do I check first?