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pestman4303 · 12-28-2018, 10:56 AM

First timer here on the forum. I need some help. Closed our RV down for winter back in November but went to start it this week to move to a storage carport and it would not start. Batteries died but since they were according to date on batteries 13 years old I just went and got 2 new batteries. I had tried starting before changing batteries but engine turned real slow. Now with the new batteries and plenty of charge there is no contact at all. I can turn key and all gauges move for starting but then when I turn key to start there is nothing. I suspect that starter is stuck in has anyone ever had this problem? This is a 1999 Newmar Dutch Star Diesel Pusher, Cummins engine. Thank You for any help.

Sbrownstein · 12-28-2018, 11:07 AM

Do you hear a solenoid click? Does the voltage drop when you turn to start. You are probably right that the Bendix is stuck in the flywheel from trying to start with a dead battery.

Some nice sharp taps on the starter Bendix area might free it, at least used to work with mine.

twinboat · 12-28-2018, 12:02 PM

If the starter was stuck, you would hear the solenoid clunk OR see the volt gauge drop down to 10 volts.

Does your transmission pad light up when you turn the key on ? No display, no start.

Many have seperate power wires from the battery to the trans computer that gets left off, connected to ground, or have an inline fuse that gets pulled apart while tugging on the cables.

AKConnie · 12-29-2018, 09:39 AM

We have a 2000 DSDP. Turned it off one afternoon to go check in at the RV park, came back and it was dead - wouldn't start. Everything was working fine up until then. Like you, I assumed it was batteries. Tried charging and jumping, nothing. Crawled underneath and gave the stater a couple of taps. Still nothing. A mechanic suggested running a jumper wire directly from the battery to starter. This to verify that it was indeed a starter problem. With the ignition on we attached a jumper wire to positive side of battery and with the other end he touched the starter. It started right up.

Turns out there is a separate starter solenoid in the system that was bad.