Bluewave issue with battery/electrical.

[curt johnson]

I have an older Bluewave, about 4000 hours. Over past 6 months or so this issue has developed: every day when I get to first job the engine will not turn over. When I turn key there is enough juice to power the radiator fan and side fan, but when I turn the key nothing else happens. If I hook up jumper cables to the van it still will not turn over. If I turn on the van engine then the TM will start right up.

Usually after first job when I get to next one the TM will fire right up. Sometimes even after a few hours. More than that I have to jump it again with the van running.

The TM batter is new. It is exact size it is supposed to be. The TM has no mods or is no different than when it was new, other than a side fan to help with over heating. Any ideas as to why this is happening? My supplier suggested using a larger battery, but I'd like to figure out exact problem if I can.

 

[Mikey P]

unhook your van from the battery..?

 

[dealtimeman]

While running are you getting more than 12 VoLTE at the battery for the tm?

Take a voltmeter and check across positive and negative at the battery to see if your alternator is charging correctly.we can go from there.

 

[Scott S.]

I have an older Bluewave, about 4000 hours. Over past 6 months or so this issue has developed: every day when I get to first job the engine will not turn over. When I turn key there is enough juice to power the radiator fan and side fan, but when I turn the key nothing else happens. If I hook up jumper cables to the van it still will not turn over. If I turn on the van engine then the TM will start right up.

Usually after first job when I get to next one the TM will fire right up. Sometimes even after a few hours. More than that I have to jump it again with the van running.

The TM batter is new. It is exact size it is supposed to be. The TM has no mods or is no different than when it was new, other than a side fan to help with over heating. Any ideas as to why this is happening? My supplier suggested using a larger battery, but I'd like to figure out exact problem if I can.

are you using a lawn mower type battery for your tm?
are any of your connections loose?
how many cold cranking amps is the new battery?
what size engine is on your bluewave?
when did you last have the starter checked or replaced?

 

[KevinD]

Sounds like a dead cell in the battery preventing it from holding a charge. You can have it tested at any auto parts place.
Have you removed and cleaned the connections to the battery?

 

[dgardner]

If it doesn't start even with the jumper cables in place, then most likely not a bad TM battery. If it will start once the van is running, then it needs the extra voltage that comes from a running alternator.

After a battery has sat overnight the voltage will be around 13 volts or a little less. Once you start the van the voltage rises, eventually settling at 14.2 volts or so.

The usual cause is a sticking or otherwise bad starter solenoid. The extra voltage overcomes the stickiness and the solenoid pulls in.

One test (may require a helper) is to turn and hold the key in the start position and at the same time smack the starter solenoid with a wrench or similar. If it turns over then the solenoid is the culprit.

 

[dgardner]

PS - when I was a teen and couldn't afford a new starter for my VW bug I drove it like that for months. I would have my friend turn the key and I would tap the solenoid once, and it would start right up.

 

[GeneMiller]

The hammer trick works miracles for sticky starters. As usual Dan is spot on. Take a meter and check it at the starter and see what it's drawing. Truck mounts should use an automotive battery not a lawnmower battery imho. I'm not saying that will fix this problem.

 

[Papa John]

Maybe u need a new harmonic balancer.- that solve it for me when I had same issue.

 

[adamh]

Regulator on the TM motor is bad

 

[Mike Draper]

Most simple solution to not waste you time is to do what Dealtime man said. That will take out much of the guess work.

 

[Ken692]

The starter battery alternator problem I hate that

 

[Nate The Great]

Check your fuses first...... I learned that the expensive way...

 

[curt johnson]

Tomorrow will purchase a new volt meter, old one died a slow death today.

Kubota 31hp 3 cylinder engine. Yes lawnmower type battery. Don't know if starter/solenoid has ever been checked. Battery connections checked and clean. Have same problem with newer battery.

 

[dealtimeman]

how far does jim martin live from where you are?

 

[Jim Martin]

I am only a few hours away...bring it down here...I will fix it...

BTW..my thermalwave is running off a car battery.......

 

[Scott S.]

I am only a few hours away...bring it down here...I will fix it...

BTW..my thermalwave is running off a car battery.......

my Rage also runs off a full size battery (i bought the same one as my van takes so i can jump myself if needed, and crank the hell out of the rage if i ever have problems)

 

[Scott S.]

Cold cranking amps dip significantly when the battery is cold. you might be under the needed amps. or need more amps because of a bad solenoid as mentioned above.


ps. you guys talked about smacking car starters with a hammer, i actually had to use a screw driver to start my chevy beretta by arching across the poles to make the starter go since my starter solenoid was toast.

 

[dealtimeman]

I did that many times to my parents 1989 ltd crown Vitoria.

 

[jwfoulk12]

The selanoid went on my Husky while at deals gap. Had to keep taking off the seat and jumping it with a quarter.

 

[Papa John]

check the pulley on the engine that spins the alternator pulley-- maybe its wobbles.

 

[dgardner]

Did you fix it? What was the issue?

 

[dealtimeman]

Damn triple sided triangle shaped reverse backward negative ion charging flux capacitor was in sideways upside down, I'm sure of it. Happens all the time.