Boat Gremlin

[Banana Wind]

I'm looking for some assistance to get rid of a gremlin that has haunted my boat (82 Catalina 30 - Universal 5411) for a while now that I can't seem to make GO-AWAY. Here are the details: Every now and then (and more often when the engine is warm) when I turn the ignition switch to start the diesel nothing happens - Just Dead Silence! The ignition switch has "Off-On(red light comes on like it should)-Start" positions. I have always believed the gremlin to be an electrical problem but have not been able to isolate it so far. I have replaced the wiring harness from the engine to the control panel and have replaced the ignition switch. Three years ago I had the starter rebuilt. All the electrical connections on the engine control panel appear good. When the gremlin takes a break the engine fires right up and everthing works like it is supposed to. Any suggestions or knowledge anyone has to offer is highly welcome. Thanks and fair winds to all.

 

[Tim]

Bad starter relay

Next time it happens try giving the starter a gentle "whack" with a heavy object. Not enough to break anything but just enough to give it a shock.Could also be a bad ground. Remove the ground cable and clean all connecting points and reconnect with dialectric grease.Tim

 

[Mike I.]

Gremlin

One way to get rid of intermittant electrical problems (and familiarize yourself with the whole system) is to get a small wire brush, screwdriver, and wrenches and start at the battery and remove, clean, and retighten every connection you come across in the problem circuit. This way you will eliminate the most common problem in marine electrical systems; corrosion. I once won a $10 bet because of dirty battery terminals. He said "it couldn't be just dirty terminals, they look fine!" A wrench and wire brush and 10 minutes later I had a tenspot in my pocket. Make sure your wiring is in good shape before you start changing componants. Good luck

 

[Gord May]

Good advice

Mike & Tim both offer excellent advice. Corrosion, often unseen (unseeable) is absolutely the #1 electrical “gremlin”. The engine & battery ends are the worst offenders (contaminants & vibration).The whack on the starter, and/or relay (solenoid) will often free up a sticky part, or get you past a flat spot. On one boat, I even wired a labeled permanent starter shorting wire, connected on one end, c/w (quick removal) insulation on other end. This is kind of “nutso”, but the owner liked the ideas, so ...Good luck,Gord

 

[Kevin]

Yep, good advice

The boat on the other side of my finger dock is a C30 of about the same vintage as yours and it had a similar problem which started late last summer and continued after launch this spring. The solution was cleaning all the connection points as well as a new battery selection switch and cable from it to the battery bank.

 

[Banana Wind]

Thanks

I appreciate all who took the time to respond and will follow the advice received when I get to the boat tommorrow. I'll report back what I find. Thanks again.