Ignition switch problem

[Mike H.]

The ignition switch on our 1994 Vision has an interrmintent problem. Sometimes when I turn the key to start the engine nothing happens.

My wife and I look at each other with alarm .

Then I turn the key back off, then on again and she cranks up.

It's done this a few times. One day it will fail and not start at the worst possible time.

Has anyone had this problem? Where should I start looking, switch, starter, where?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Neil McDonald]

Starter problem.

The ignition switch on our 1994 Vision has an interrmintent problem. Sometimes when I turn the key to start the engine nothing happens.

My wife and I look at each other with alarm .

Then I turn the key back off, then on again and she cranks up.

It's done this a few times. One day it will fail and not start at the worst possible time.

Has anyone had this problem? Where should I start looking, switch, starter, where?

Thanks,

Mike

Classic Hunter wiring problem. Too many old connections in the starting circuit build up resistance to the point where the cumulative voltage drop is so high that there is inadequate volts left to turn the starter. Search the archives for this very "popular" topic. Some people add a relay, which is what I did but it was only a temporary solution for me. Next year I am going to run a brand new wire from the starter switch back to starter motor, running in parallel with the old wire.

So why does it work second or third time? My theory is that the current flowing through the poor connections creates heat, which lowers the resistance, which increase the voltage and..... Voila!

Do not rely on this experience, but my boat has done the same thing for years, but never failed to start!!

 

[Steve Dion]

Mike:

You may want to start with the starter connections. Clean those with a wire brush and be sure that there is no corrosion. This is usually the best place to start looking.

Most of the time it is just a bad conneciton. If this does not work you are going to need to work your way through the wire harness to find any other loose/corroded connections. If it does not take care of the problem you may just consider running a new wire from the key to the starter. Be sure to use tinned wire if you need to do this.

 

[Stu Jackson]

In addition to these excellent ideas, check your wiring diagram for the circuit. You may very well find an inline fuseholder. They tend to deteriorate big time over time. Install a new fuseholder, and get it away from the engine heat. Our fuseholder used to be "hidden" underneath the alternator and starter. NOT a good place for it. I extended the wiring and moved the fuseholder up and away from underneath the hot components of the engine.

 

[Doug13104]

I have the same problem on my 88 Hunter 40. I checked the switch with a meter and found the switch to be fine. I found a wiring Diagram and it shows, what they call, and extension cord, that runs between the starter and the switch. You need to clean the connections at each end of this extension cord as there are multiple wires in the connections. Bypassing the wiring harness with a new wire will fix your starter problem but you will other issues from the other wires including a fire!

 

[Benny17441]

You may wire and install a 2nd starter button inside the cabin in an accesible place close to the engine comparment. If the control panel button fails to activate the starter solenoid then you or anyone else could push the 2nd button. New wiring and shorter distance will do the trick. You may elect to include a togle switch or just maintain it at ready since it will be inside the cabin. It may also be practical when running maintenance to be able to start the engine from the cabin.

 

[Sailgunner]

As the other post state this is a classic Hunter problem. I had the same problem on my 2000 410 and I just ran a new wire from the ignition switch to the solonoid. It starts every time now.

 

[Mike H.]

Thanks everybody! I'll start by tracing the wires and cleaning up connections. Good reason to go to the boat.

 

[Don Lucas]

Had the same problem as the orginal post, was corrosion at the wiring harness connection.

90% of my past engine electrical realted problems trace down to the connections at the wiring harness connections.

 

[Warren Milberg]

This is a common problem with aging Yanmars. It is typically caused by too many, and too poor connections in the wiring harness. Some solve the problem by replacing the harness. I chose to go the 12vdc relay route about 5 years ago and my problems have never returned. You can read some posts on this subject at Boat Info>Knowledge Base>Engines>Yanmar and scroll down to the posts on intermittant starting. Stu is also right that some engines (including my '86 2GM20F) have a hard-to-find a 30amp inline fuse bundled up under the air clearner/silencer.