Anyone know how to access this instrument panel? Most likely have to replace the starter push button. Access from the rear maybe?
Instrument Panel Access - Universal Diesel on O'Day 28
- Thread starter odaydokay
- Start date
Yes, mine does too, but there is a back cover with the fuel cutoff cable sticking out the middle;e of it. Need someone who has accessed one like mine I think.
OK, John, let's start over on this.
Let's assume he has an M25 engine, like mine.
The decompression lever is on the rear top of the engine.
The fuel shutoff is on the starboard forward end of the engine.
The stop cable goes to the starboard forward end of the engine, nowhere near the decompression lever.
Perhaps it would help if he told us what engine he has.
Let's assume he has an M25 engine, like mine.
The decompression lever is on the rear top of the engine.
The fuel shutoff is on the starboard forward end of the engine.
The stop cable goes to the starboard forward end of the engine, nowhere near the decompression lever.
Perhaps it would help if he told us what engine he has.
Wherever the decompression cable is located, do not use it to stop the engine (except maybe in a runaway where the engine will be toast anyway). Opening the valves with the engine running can cause severe valve damage. It's ok to use it to hand start or of the battery is weak, but not to stop the engine.
They usually don't put a cable on the decompression lever. It's only used when the engine won't start normally, and you're usually in the engine space and can reach the lever directly in that situation.
They usually don't put a cable on the decompression lever. It's only used when the engine won't start normally, and you're usually in the engine space and can reach the lever directly in that situation.
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Holy cow, how did we get into engine decompression? The question is how to get at the instrument panel, front or rear and yes, should have pointed out this is a Universal M-12 with a standard panel. In the center of the panel is the T lever which is a fuel cutoff to stop the engine, not decompression for certain!
@Stu Jackson Stu, I apologize. I am at my boat and followed the cable. It is fuel shut off.
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Are you saying the button felt physically "spongy" and gave way more? Don't see how a bad ground could change the physical feel of the button. This is like the spring weakened or snapped in half giving only 50% of its normal push back pressure. As noted, it still makes perfect electrical contact.....for now.
ODayOkay, no I misread to that end, the physical feel of the button would not change. For a starter that is intermittent in operation, I found a loose ground that the PO had lived with "sometimes the button is finicky"
and we have no issues trying to start now.
and we have no issues trying to start now.
John, much appreciated. Not only for this thread but for all that may follow. FWIW and FYI, over the course of many, many years, the C30 tech section in Mainsheet magazine continually "harped" on the use of the decompression lever on the M25 series engines. My examination of their writings, mostly from Max Munger, in all the magazines that I inherited from my PO in 1998 going all the way back to the 1987 issues, were that the use of the decompression lever simply masked the fact that Max didn't know much about boat electrical systems, and that fixing the electrical system would have precluded the need to deal with the decompression lever, ever.
I have had my boat for 18 years, and have NEVER ever felt the need to use it.
I suggest that anyone who does has much bigger issues.
A robust and healthy electrical system should assure quality starts. Period.
Thanks again for your honesty and followup.
I don't know if you got an answer on this but if it is like my O'day 31 with a Universal M-18, which I think it may be, you can access the switch and wiring by removing the "rear" panel cover in the lazerette where the fuel shutoff cable goes through.