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ottersea's avatar
ottersea
Explorer
Jul 08, 2012

intermittent starting problem

I have been having a problem with starting out itasca motorhome at times. We have a 99 itasca based on a freightliner chassis and cummins isb engine. We have a battery disconnect so I can disconnect the batteries when in storage or sitting a long time. Anyway when I go to start and turn on the ignition at time nothing happens. I hear no click or anything. I shows the instrument panel lights. If I turn the switch on and off enough times it will start. It does not do this all the time. My question is if when I disconnect the battery does that somehow lose the start control? Reason I ask is on vacation last month where i did not disconnect the battery it started every time with no problem. Any ideas out there.
  • I'm experiencing the same problem. Could you tell me what was the final outcome to resolve it. I have a Cummins ISB 300 turbo.
  • ottersea wrote:
    Probably not the ignition switch since I recently changed that. I do not know if it could be the solenoid since it was supposedly changed when we had a problem on the Alaska trip. Do you know where the solenoid is on a cummins isb5.9. It is so crowded under there I have no idea where to look. I assume it is somewhere near the engine. It has been turn on the disconnet then try to start. Probably not more the a couple of minutes. Next time I disconnect the battery I will wait 10 mins of so to see if it makes a difference.


    I would check the conections on the ignition switch just in case you left a loose one. Then check the battery disconnect to insure it works. Also the condition of all battery connections. Storage can lead to gremlins . There is a chance that the starter is getting tire, poor internal contacts etc. I had one become intermittent, bought a new battery ,,,,, eventually had the starter rebuilt.
    A 5.9 is an easy start once you get it turning but it takes a lot for the first crank.
  • My brother-in-law has the same problem with his Cummings. He put in a new ignition switch and it did not help.

    He has been checking his ground wires but hasn't found anything yet.

    If he figures it out I will let you know.
  • Probably not the ignition switch since I recently changed that. I do not know if it could be the solenoid since it was supposedly changed when we had a problem on the Alaska trip. Do you know where the solenoid is on a cummins isb5.9. It is so crowded under there I have no idea where to look. I assume it is somewhere near the engine. It has been turn on the disconnet then try to start. Probably not more the a couple of minutes. Next time I disconnect the battery I will wait 10 mins of so to see if it makes a difference.
  • what is the timing interval on startup, between closing the disconnect switch an hitting the key
    30 seconds , 2 minutes.?

    what if you waited 5 minutes or more

    maybe something is running diagnostics at boot up
    tyranny control or engine controller

    just a thought!!

    many machine controls have self diagnostics that run when power is applied
  • Likely an ignition switch or more likely the ignition solenoid.

    Easy to test at the solenoid.