My 1987 catalina 30 universal engine just won't start. i have a feeling it's electric, because there's just nothing when I push the ignition button, not a sound. The engine was working fine on THursday and then not at all on Saturday. I did notice some weird electrical shorts like the radio didn't work and then it did, my speakers didn't work and then did etc...any suggestions? My batteries are both new and fully charged...i checked.
Stu and the others have given you great advice. I just wanted to stress that the actual start circuit itself is quite simple - the start button
or key switch supplies +12 v to the start solenoid to activate the starter motor via the starter solenoid. So, at it's simplest, you need to confirm that the +12v arrives at the solenoid. You need a good meter set to measure DC voltage, or even a 12v probe or test lamp, and some test leads with alligator clips.
If you notice that the engine panel itself isn't consistently getting voltage (eg lights/alarms intermittently on, panel meters jumping around), then the problem is something to do with how power is supplied to the engine or engine panel, and is possibly related to the other electrical problems you reported.
To troubleshoot the start problem:
First check is to clip your meter leads to the thinner wire at the solenoid and engine ground, or have a friend carefully hold the leads there, and when you hit start, confirm that there was +12v on the thinner wire at the solenoid. If that voltage is there when you hit Start but no click from the solenoid and/or no starter motor action, then the problem is most likely solenoid or starter motor.
If there was no voltage measured at the solenoid when trying to start the engine, the next check is at the engine panel, at the start switch itself. You will need to consult your engine manual to determine what wires or connection points go to the start switch (or the start portion of the key switch). One side of the start switch gets +12v from the panel when the engine circuit is 'on' and ready to start, and the other side goes to the start solenoid that you just checked. Clip your leads to the solenoid side of the start switch and ground. Now, when you try to start the engine, you should see +12v on the meter. If you didn't, and you can confirm that there is 12v on the other side of the start switch, then the switch is at fault. If you do see the +12v, but you didn't in your previous test at the solenoid, then you know there's a problem with the wire somewhere between the engine panel and the engine.
You can do further tests, such as trying to apply +12v directly from the battery to the starter solenoid, or jumping across the start switch with a wire, but these can be tricky and dangerous actions if you're not comfortable around electric stuff. But at least the above tests will help you isolate the problem area.
I just bet marine electricians are way expensive...
Gosh, I hope so... I'm going for ABYC electrical certification this fall.
