[C320-list] Starting Issue

[Welch, Myron D]

Dave,

I battled that problem for four years and it always happened at dock. I could often get it to start with the extra boost from having the charger working. It was very unnerving to wonder if the engine would start after sailing. Various things worked, some for a day, some for a few weeks, and then the problem would unexpectedly reoccur. I think it is now solved and I am regaining my confidence in my trusty Perkins. 

As others have said, it is a loose connection in the starting circuit. The problem is that it can be several places and I think I had all of them. Check the following:

1. Clean and tighten ground wire connection on engine. 

2. Clean and tighten battery wire connection on the solenoid. 

3. Starter button. Take off wires and clamp together. I had instant success here, put in a new button and it worked for weeks.

4. Connection on solenoid. This was the most problematic. It worked after cleaning and tightening, but the problem soon returned. The connection is a weak design and I then installed a new, tighter connection.

5. After a month of sailing this summer, I had the problem again. This time I found loose connections at the wiring harness junction bar aft of the engine. 

6. I think that mine is now fixed. The only thing left in that circuit is changing the key switch!

Basically, start from the power source and check EVERY connection to the other end of the circuit. Good luck. 

Myron Welch
Wind Instrument #238
Iowa City, Iowa
Grace Memorial Harbor
Elk Rapids, Michigan. 

  

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 7, 2013, at 8:22 AM, "dprudden" <dprudden at comcast.net> wrote:

> .....turned the key, pushed the start button.....nothing. No click, plenty of juice in the batteries....
> 
> Pushed a couple more times and it did turn over and start. Any thoughts????? 2001 Yanmar 3gm30f
> 
> While I'm at it, one more question- this is a European engine- are there any differences in parts between the European and Japanese engines?
> 
> Thanks for the help!
> 
> David Prudden
> #787