Hi Derek, Good advice. Your switch was probably fine and the problem is a poor connection. Look at this as a learning opportunity. There several ways to troubleshoot this. A meter is the best but there is an old school, one screwdriver way.
First, check the battery voltage w an inexpensive digital volt meter. It should be 12.6 or higher, but 12.4 can start an engine. I keep a very simple digital meter plugged into a 12VDC socket to check my battery voltage. (Walmart, Auto Zone, Advanced Auto, <$10) https://www.google.com/search?q=cigarette+lighter+digital+voltmeter&biw=1366&bih=631&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=2nlgVe6BIrbdsASilIOwCQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg#imgrc=_xH6ZZffhJkXMM%253A%3B41Oeaw868kqBSM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi5.walmartimages.com%252Fdfw%252Fdce07b8c-ce0e%252Fk2-_f00ed276-6d3f-46c0-812a-199f2c734309.v1.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.walmart.com%252Fip%252FEquus-Innova-3721-Battery-and-Charging-System-Monitor%252F15137663%3B450%3B450 Next, check the starter: This screwdriver test bypasses the start button, and the solenoid. Open up the engine compartment and find the starter. It's a cylindrical little motor attached to one side of the engine. You should find four terminals on the solenoid, two small and two large. The two large terminals have two large cables attached that go right to the start battery. With the system turned on, battery switch, engine switch, like you would to start, take a large screw driver with an insulated handle and short across the two large terminals and the starter should activate, turning over the engine. When you do this, there will be a big spark, but this is typical starter troubleshooting and OK. It's only 12VDC, so a single layer of electrical tape is enough insulation to protect your hand. If the engine turns over, the starter is fine, you have only the solenoid and wiring to consider. With the engine off and everything ready to start again, you short across the two small terminals to power the solenoid, to activate the starter again. If the wiring is good, the solenoid should click and the starter should turn over the engine as before. If it is quiet, you may have a bad solenoid, but you probably don't have 12V there and have to follow it back to the start button. Look for green terminals and clean the corrosion off, cut back any green wire and replace terminal. Look for blackened wires at the harness connector plug that Rich mentioned. Check your ground wire which is usually a black wire attached to the engine itself. Make sure this connection is clean and tight. Another handy tool is a 12VDC troubleshooting light, (Walmart, Auto Zone, Advanced Auto, Ace Hardware <$10) http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1378714&bingpla=bingpla_1127276 Chuck Resolute 1990 C&C 34R Broad Creek, Magothy River, Md ----- Original Message ----- From: "Knowles Rich via CnC-List" <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> To: "cnc-list Cnc-List" <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Cc: "Knowles Rich" <r...@sailpower.ca> Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2015 1:05:00 AM Subject: Re: Stus-List Starting problems Pretty much every marine engine has a connector or two in the engine/panel wiring harness. They are there to make installation convenient at the factory, but, after a few years, can cause a lot of problems as corrosion and wear set in. I’ve seen electrical problems on every size of boat regardless of make or engine type that bypassing these connectors has frequently cured. I suggest cutting out the connectors and splicing the individual wires together using top quality heat shrink crimp butt connectors. In the event that the engine has to be serviced, removed, or replaced, the wires can be severed and rejoined as needed. I’m not sure that this is the root of your problems but it’s a good place to start. Rich Knowles Nanaimo, BC Boatless. On May 22, 2015, at 06:00, Edd Schillay via CnC-List < cnc-list@cnc-list.com > wrote: Derek, Sounds like you have an intermittent wiring problem. Grab your voltmeter and check each connection. Could also be your starter solenoid. Good luck. All the best, Edd ------------------------------- Edd M. Schillay Starship Enterprise NCC-1701-B C&C 37+ | City Island, NY www.StarshipSailing.com ------------------------------- 914.332.4400 | Office 914.774.9767 | Mobile ------------------------------- Sent via iPhone 6 iPhone. iTypos. iApologize On May 22, 2015, at 8:32 AM, Tortuga via CnC-List < cnc-list@cnc-list.com > wrote: I’m having ignition problems with the 2QM15 engine in my C&C 30 mk1. Normally, when the main switch is turned to on, the oil pressure alarm sounds. Pressing the starter button starts the engine and the alarm stops. This season, after a few successful starts, when I turned the main switch on one day there was no alarm and nothing happened when I pressed the starter. No cranking. Not a sound. My batteries spent the winter in my basement and were fully charged. As well, shore power was plugged in and the charger showed full charge on both batteries. This happened once or twice last season but when I repeated the process the engine started. I assumed that the main switch was worn out and ordered a replacement Yanmar switch from Rosborough Boats. It was my first dealing with them and I was very impressed. Rob Manual had a new switch to me within a day. I had carefully labelled and photographed the connections at the old switch before removing it, but when I installed the new one it didn’t solve my problem. When I keyed the switch on, I got a very weak sounding alarm and pressing the starter button got no reaction. I’m unskilled at tracing problems, so thought I’d ask for help. Thanks in advance Derek Kennedy Tortuga C&C 30 mk1 Ballantyne’s Cove, NS _______________________________________________ Email address: CnC-List@cnc-list.com To change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go to the bottom of page at: http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com _______________________________________________ Email address: CnC-List@cnc-list.com To change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go to the bottom of page at: http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com _______________________________________________ Email address: CnC-List@cnc-list.com To change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go to the bottom of page at: http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com
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