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

[Warren Updike]

In US, there are shops that specialize in servicing starters, alternators, and other parts. For starters, they can replace brushes, clean and recondition the armature, and generally clean out the years of accumulated dust and stuff. Such a shop should not do this work unless the starter is otherwise in working condition. In my case, they also replaced the solenoid which surprised me. 

After this service is when I began to experience the intermittent start issue. When pressing the start button... no start. The volt meter needle moves down as one would expect. I had 10V at the solenoid when starting so that was ok. So far, I've replaced the start button, and cleaned connections in the circuit. 

In my case, the resolution is to immediately press the starter button again, and repeat 2-3 times and it usually starts. If the problem is in the starter, like a dead spot, I would expect that my approach would not work in which case I hear a light tap on solenoid or starter will work. But, like others, the situation leaves me uncomfortable for solo cruising. Than the Big Man for BoatUS Towing Service.

I am totally surprised to see how common is this problem, and yet, no one has pointed to a clear resolution. Thanks for chiming in.

Warren and Pattie Updike
1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay

-----Original Message-----
From: Gene Helfman [mailto:genehelfman at gmail.com] 
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.*