[C320-list] Ignition Key Switch / Glow Pug Failure

[Larry Frank]

Hi Don,

I suspect with # 53 you have the Perkins.  I have #246 with the Westerbeke
but I would not be surprised if the glow put wiring is the similar in both.

It may or may not be the switch. With the Westerbeke there is what
Westerbeke calls a ³preheat selenoid².  When you close the switch in the
instrument pod you are just energizing this solenoid which then closes and
provides current to the glow plugs.  It could be that this solenoid is
bad, that is assuming the Perkins is wired the same. If you can locate the
solenoid on the engine you may be able to troubleshoot which component is
bad before replacing the switch in the instrument pod.

Good luck.

Larry
WindSwept C320 #246

On 11/19/16, 8:58 AM, "Don Johnson" <donjohn64 at att.net> wrote:

>Thanks much for the help and info Graeme, John, and Ted! I ordered a new
>stitch from Catalina Direct & will install soon.  Hopefully that will
>solve the problem.
>
>Don, # 53
>
>
>> On Nov 16, 2016, at 5:43 AM, Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk> wrote:
>> 
>> As previously mentioned, no big deal to remove the instrument pod
>>faceplate (easier if you remove the wheel first) and then the switch can
>>be removed from the inside by undoing the locking nut.
>> 
>> Bear in mind that the live feed to the switch is ALWAYS LIVE (when
>>batteries are on) so if you are uncoupling wires, be sure to insulate
>>the live end to avoid shorting to other terminals in the pod.
>> 
>> There¹s nothing special about this switch, any proprietary model will
>>do although obviously its easier if the barrel is the same size.
>> 
>> I happen to have my entire pod here at home as I plan to remake it in
>>GRP this winter, the original having cracked badly. The hole for the
>>switch barrel is 0.8 inches and the barrel itself is just under that.
>>The barrel actually has two flats either side designed to prevent
>>rotation, but that is wasted as Catalina drilled a round hole rather
>>than taking time to make it with corresponding flat sides!
>> 
>> Westmarine do a whole range of switches from around $20 up to £150
>>although the higher priced ones are exact OEM replicas. seems you can
>>get a quality one for around $35 to $40. Ebay selling Œdirect
>>replacement¹ for Catalina here
>> 
>>http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IGNITION-SWITCH-BAJA-CELEBRITY-CHAPPERAL-CHRIS-
>>CRAFT-/201618615768?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368
>><http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IGNITION-SWITCH-BAJA-CELEBRITY-CHAPPERAL-CHRIS
>>-CRAFT-/201618615768?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368>
>> (other sellers are available)
>> 
>> Interestingly they suggest a mounting hole size of 7/8 inch which is a
>>bit larger than the hole in my  pod
>> 
>> Hope this helps
>> 
>> Graeme
>> #366, Jaskar, 1996, England
>> 
>>> On 16 Nov 2016, at 03:43, Don Johnson <donjohn64 at att.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I recently started having problems starting the motor due to what I
>>>thought was a bad glow plug or plugs.  It turns out that no current is
>>>getting to the plugs, so I suspect that the switch has gone bad, or
>>>that the glow plug wire has detatched from the switch somehow.  Has
>>>anyone else come across this problem?  And, does anyone know how to
>>>remove the switch from the Navpod to inspect that end of the
>>>wiring/switch, and how to replace the switch if necessary?  Also, if
>>>anyone has replaced the switch, where did you buy it?  As always,
>>>thanks much for the help!
>>> 
>>> Don Johnson
>>> #53
>> 
>> ‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹
>> I work irregular hours and often write emails late in the evening and
>>at weekends; that doesn¹t mean I expect you to do the same; reply when
>>convenient!
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>