[C320-list] Intermitant starter motor issue Yanmar 3GM30F

[kenneth bousum]

Ken motor city reman,this is a new starter cost 72.00.Google part # 18209n starter.Ken B #711 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Chris Burti" <clburti at gmail.com> 
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2017 10:00:46 PM 
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Intermitant starter motor issue Yanmar 3GM30F 

Years ago I had Gene’s issue with my 1959 Austin Healy 100-6…in that case, it turned out the be the brushes in the starter…three sets of them…lol…George Lucas – Prince of Darkness… 

Thanks, 
Chris Burti 
Farmville, NC 

From: Gene Helfman 
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2017 9:32 PM 
To: C320-List at catalina320.com 
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Intermitant starter motor issue Yanmar 3GM30F 

Me too!  1997 Yanmar 3gm30F.  Apparently the PO had a similar problem 
because we found a used starter stored with the batteries and a sales 
receipt for a new one from 10 years ago (PO was fortunately very thorough). 
Is 10 years the life expectancy on these starter/solenoid combinations? 

We had the problem multiple times in the past two weeks.  Sometimes it 
would start right away, sometimes switching between battery options on the 
Guest selector helped, once tapping (gently) on the starter and solenoid 
did it and once I removed contacts on the starter and sanded them and it 
worked.  Engine warm or not didn't seem to affect things. Usually just a 
clicking sound when the starter button was pushed but once obviously it 
wasn't getting enough current/just barely turning over.   I'm beginning to 
feel a little superstitious.  Regardless, we just cut a 3 week cruise up 
into Desolation Sound/Discovery Islands of BC short for fear it wouldn't 
start at all while we were in a remote location, plus we always had to run 
the engine even when sailing so we weren't caught dead in the water 
entering a tricky anchorage.  So it's more than a bother. 

The after-market Hitachi replacement starters at $65-$75 have a lot of bad 
reviews.  I've searched for original parts (as Starter Hitachi Yanmar 
Marine   128170-77010) and can't find it, but if a knock-off is less than 
$70 the original part can't be too much more and would be worth it.  Anyone 
know a supplier? 

gene 
Satori, #398 1997 

On Fri, Aug 11, 2017 at 4:57 PM, kenneth bousum <kenb711 at wowway.com> wrote: 

> I have had this happen also over several years . A new starter fix it 
> ,been 3 years no problems #711 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> 
> From: "Ken Geiger" <kendgb at aol.com> 
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
> Sent: Friday, August 11, 2017 5:23:21 PM 
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Intermitant starter motor issue Yanmar 3GM30F 
> 
> Thanks for the replies. 
> 
> This problem has been going on, off and on for this season and last.  I 
> forgot to mention in my initial post that the last 2 times this has 
> happened (maybe it has been more often and I have not noticed) the engine 
> has been hot and off a short time say 1/2 hour.  Other hot restarts have 
> been OK. 
> <div>Has anyone bought a replacement starter or solenoid? 
> 
> <div>Thanks 
> 
> Ken 
> Northern Dream #765 
> 
> 
> Sent from AOL Mobile Mail 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: John Meyers <jcmeyers7 at gmail.com> 
> To: C320-List <C320-List at catalina320.com> 
> Sent: Wed, Aug 9, 2017 09:55 PM 
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Intermitant starter motor issue Yanmar 3GM30F 
> 
> 
> I too have (had?) this problem with my 1997 Yanmar 740 hours. I knew that 
> my battery cable connections on the battery were neglected so I cleaned 
> them up and since then this problem hasn't intermittently problem has not 
> recurred. Knock on wood.  So, hope this worked for me and you too. 
> 
> John Meyers 
> Wind Chime #406 
> Muskegon, MI 
> 
> On Mon, Aug 7, 2017 at 6:06 PM, Timothy Woods <<a href="mailto: 
> woodstimothya at gmail.com">woodstimothya at gmail.com</a>> 
> wrote: 
> 
> > I had the exact same problem and it turned out to be the ignition switch 
> > was faulty. One terminal was a little lose and the contacts inside were 
> > dirty. All the power runs through the key switch first and then into the 
> > panel. 
> > 
> > Tim 
> > 1996  3gm30F 
> > 
> > On Aug 7, 2017 4:53 PM, "Warren Updike" <<a href="mailto: 
> wupdike at hotmail.com">wupdike at hotmail.com</a>> wrote: 
> > 
> > > I, too, have exact same issue although ours is a 1993 Perkins M30 with 
> > > 2,000 hrs. Last year I pulled the starter/solenoid to have them 
> serviced. 
> > > They replaced the solenoid. Since then it starts normally about 70% of 
> > the 
> > > time. A few rapid pushes of the starter button and it starts. This is 
> not 
> > > only annoying but worrying. I checked the connections in the starter 
> > > circuit and pulled/cleaned, and applied conductive grease. Also, 
> replace 
> > > the start button. No change. Next I will do voltage drop tests on the 
> > > battery cables. 
> > > 
> > > I've checked the voltage at the solenoid when starting and it is a 
> normal 
> > > 10V under load of the starter. I'd like to do this when it fails to 
> > start, 
> > > but there's no way to tell when this will happen. In his book, "Boat 
> > > Owner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual" by Nigel Calder, he 
> describes a 
> > > series of tests with a volt meter to track down such problem. This is 
> the 
> > > next thing I'm planning. 
> > > 
> > > I'll provide an update when I get through this. In the meantime, please 
> > > keep us informed of your issue and how you resolve it if you do. 
> > > 
> > > Warren and Pattie Updike 
> > > 1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62 
> > > Middle River, Chesapeake Bay 
> > > 
> > > -----Original Message----- 
> > > From: Ken Geiger [<a href="mailto:kendgb at aol.com?">mailto: 
> kendgb at aol.com</a>] 
> > > Sent: Monday, August 07, 2017 11:21 AM 
> > > To: c320-<a href="mailto:list at catalina320.com">list at catalina320.com 
> </a> 
> > > Subject: [C320-list] Intermitant starter motor issue Yanmar 3GM30F 
> > > 
> > > Sometimes when I push the starter button, having turned on the key, 
> there 
> > > is no sound of the starter motor engaging, no clicking but there is dip 
> > > down in the voltage gauge observed.  This leads to think that the 
> > solenoid 
> > > is failing.  So far after a few pushes the starter cranks and the 
> engine 
> > > starts. 
> > > 
> > > Anyone have a similar situation and solution. 
> > > 
> > > Also wonder about a source for a new solenoid and starter and if anyone 
> > > has experience with the after market starters and solenoids that are 
> out 
> > > there. 
> > > 
> > > The 320 is a year 2000, engine 3GM30F and the starter is a Hitachi 
> > > labelled 128170-77010   S114-303  12V  98B 
> > > 
> > > Thanks 
> > > 
> > > Ken Geiger 
> > > Northern Dream #765 
> > > 
> > > 
> > 
> </div></div> 
> 
> 


-- 
Gene Helfman, Professor Emeritus 
Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia 
PERMANENT address: 
    498 Shoreland Dr., Lopez Is., WA 98261 
    (360) 468-2136 
    genehelfman at gmail.com 

*I'm a mad scientist.  And I'm growing madder with each passing day.*