When I pushed the starter button the other day on my 1982 365, nothing happened. No clicking, no buzzing, no noise of any kind, and needless to say, the engine didn't start. It's the first time this ever happend. My engine has always started within seconds of pushing the button, even the first time each spring.
I fully charged both batteries, replaced the battery selector switch (it was cracked and I was going to do it anyway) and still no sound at all.
All the other electrical components work fine: lights, bilge pump, VHF, water pump, fridge, stereo, etc.
Does anyone have a handle on this? Starter? Starter button?
Jeb:
Sugest the simplest test first.
Jump the starter switch from inside the starboard locker.
Just touch both terminals with a screwdriver or other metal object.
If that doesn't do it check the wiring for loose or broken wires.
Henri Hali
SV Windrider
Jeb:
Sugest the simplest test first.
Jump the starter switch from inside the starboard locker.
Just touch both terminals with a screwdriver or other metal object.
If that doesn't do it check the wiring for loose or broken wires.
Henri Hali
SV Windrider
Thanks Henri, I'll try that.
When I'm looking for loose wires, do you know if any of the wires associated with the starter go through the DC breaker panel? It doesn't appear so to me, just seems they run from the battery selector to the starter, start button and glow plug button.
Jeb
Jeb
To my recollection they do not.
If you have a meter that can test for continuity, you can test the switch that way as well.
I'll be at the boat tomorrow and I'll check the wiring diagram to trace the wires that way.
You said you changed the selector switch. Did the problem occur right after you made the change? If so that could be another area to investigate. ie: broken or loose wire due to moving the wires connected to the switch.
At a dock party some years ago,a good friend and master electrician and I could not get a cd player to work. We took out our array of meters and did lots of electrical stuff talk but could not get it to work,
One of the ladies asked if anyone was using the extension cord. We had not bothered to look to see if the damn thing was plugged in!!!!!!!!!!!!
There's a lesson there somewhere.
Henri
Jeb, there is a circuit breaker 40amp behind the starter and to the right as you look at it from the galley. Check if this is open. I had a lot of problems with my starter circuit and finally put a second switch near the starter that acts like a screw driver to short the solenoid. There is a engineering note on the fact that the white wire going from the solenoid to the starter switch should be oversized.
The circuit breaker/s are accessible from the door below the sink. Let me know what happens, I spent the better half of one summer fooling with the starer circuit and the starter itself.
Don Woodruff
Henri -- No, the problem was before I changed the selector switch, but that was a good guess.
Don -- I'll check for the circuit breaker -- Thanks.
By the way, as you probably all know the starter is at the bottom starboard side of the engine, not an easy place to get to. I can just about see where the positive (red) wires lead, but not the ground or negative.
I'll be there this week with flashlights, mirrors and a bad attitude -- so if anyone can tell me where to look for the starter ground to jump it, that would be a help.
Also, I've never jumped a starter before, so if there's anything else I should know -- stand back, remove children and pets, update will, etc. -- I'd appreciate it.
thanks again all
Jeb
Jeb, The ground from the battery/s is to the block somewhere. Someone in the history of my 365 put a ground directly to one of the mounting bolts for the starter to the block. This is strongly recommended for diesels.
You should follow the black wire from the negative pole of your battery/s and see where it terminates on the block. This bolt can be unscrew and cleaned off then replaced to insure a good ground. You can also put another ground directly to the starter going from the negative pole to one of the mounting bolts
To jump the starter you find the connection on the solenoid that has about five wires connected to it ( a couple of reds and a few whites) you place the side of a screw driver on this terminal and put the end of the screw driver on the large terminal on the starter. The starter should engage and turn the motor over. The sound will jump you and there will be sparks but all is fine. I never liked this procedure and installed a secondary push switch to leave the screw driver out of the formula.
Good luck,
Don Woodruff
Great Don, thanks. I'm weak in electronics, but I'm getting a darn good lesson in it now.
Thanks again.
Jeb,
To check the starter it's self use jumper cables. Hook the negative to the block anywhere you can get a solid connection. Take the positive one and touch the terminal on the starter where the heavy red wire is connected. If the atarter runs the problem is in the solinoid or associated wireing. You can remove the whole side panel under the sink and that gives you good access to the starter.
S
Those old lucas M45G starters sometimes loose the insulation between the lug and the inside of the case. This will cause a dead short, and HEAT. If you have not refurbed your starter I agree with someone in the thread that said you should ground the starter mount bolt instead of the lug. It's actually not too bad to get the starter off, and then bring it to a shop for refurb, a wise use of $100.
If nothing is heating up, I suspect your solenoid is stuck, and it's easy to replace.
http://www.mrunix.net/tractor/starter.html (http://www.mrunix.net/tractor/starter.html)
On my boat the starter ground runs through the solenoid and that ring terminal rusted through and parted once on me and I had the same issue. Check that out as well.
HEA
Problem solved.
Turned out to be the wire connecting the starter switch to the starter, a basic "slip-on" or spade fitting, had jiggled completely off the starter over the years. To make matters worse, the wire had come out of the fitting itself, which I eventually found under the engine.
I was so convinced it was the starter or solenoid, I never noticed the missing connection as I went through all the diagnostics.
I redid the connection with new wire and fitting, crimped it well, added shrink tubing, and learned a lesson not to overlook the obvious.
And, from now on, when I check the oil before starting up, I'll definitely check to make sure that fitting is tight on the starter.
Why it's not a ring fitting, like the one the battery cable hitches on to, is beyond me.
But thanks all, I appreciate all your help and concern.
-- Jeb