[C320-list] Starting Issue

[Dave Ouimette]

Tim,

I had to chase a similar problem on our 1995 C320. As suggested by others, I started at the batteries and cleaned or replaced connectors all the way through the battery selector switch to the electrical bus behind the key/start panel on the binnacle. There were numerous suspect connections including the battery selector switch which I replaced. Another indicator of connections issues was a voltage drop from the battery to the electrical bus on the binnacle. By cleaning things up I was able to see a gain from about 11 volts at the binnacle to about 12 volts. But the real issue (I think) that caused a delay crank/poor crank speed, was a loose connector on the top of the solenoid which sits over the starter on our Perkins engine. Once that was isolated and corrected, engine starting has not faltered even once. Good luck.

Oh, by the way, I changed the wiring on the key switch such that the engine now starts like a car: first click energizes the gauges, second, against spring tension, turns over the starter. The push button which used to be the starter switch, now heats the glow plugs. I find this much more convenient and, to my way of thinking, more current is available to crank the  starter as opposed to cranking the starter at the same time the glow plugs are energized. 

Dave
Hull 174



-----Original Message-----
From: Timothy Osburn <tosburn1958 at gmail.com>
To: C320-List <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Tue, Apr 19, 2016 7:57 pm
Subject: [C320-list] Starting Issue

I've been looking back through the old threads regarding starter issues and
there's a lot of good information, but I'm hoping someone can provide some
advice on my issue.

When I press the starter button, nothing happens for a second but then the
motor fires up.  The batteries are brand new and  fully charged and the
engine (Yanmar 3GM)  runs strong.  I was told this could be:
1) a loose or corroded connection
2) a bad solenoid
3) the starter motor

One of these days, when I press the button, nothing is going to happen and
it will most likely occur at the worst possible moment.

I should be able to isolate a bad connection, but are there test procedures
I can use to isolate whether it's a bad solenoid or the starter motor?
Does anyone have experience with this particular issue?

Thanks,

Tim
Alibi
#401
Kent Island