Push Button Starter Testing

[dlochner]

To clarify the ignition wiring.

A white wire leads from the main power lug on the starter, the lug that goes to the start battery.

From there it goes to the key switch, when the key is turned it powers all the idiot lights and gauges and provides power to the start button via a short wire.

The wire then goes back to the solenoid which engages (or does not) supply power to the starter.

The white wire from the Starter lug is 14 or 16 gauge which is more than adequate for the idiot lights and usually adequate for the solenoid, at least until the connections become aged or the solenoid begins to hang up.

When I corrected this problem on my boat, I ran a fused 10 ga wire from the DC+ bus to the key switch and replaced the wire from the start button to the solenoid.

 

[sailcapt340]

Reading your link (thank you very much by the way)….
From your response #18 ( These factory start relays are usually located right below the starter motor bolted to the engine block. You could pay Yanmar about $80.00 for one or grab one at any auto parts store for about $15.00 to as much as $34.00 for a premium Cole-Hersee.)
Am I correct, that if I get the Start Relay and mount it at the starter…..I would the have to splice a length of wire to each of the 3 wires (Red, White, Blue)that are in the 3 wire connector just before the starter now, from the push button.
Then connect them to the relay and from the relay to the starter.
This would eliminate the 3 wire butt connector, which I think is the problem all along. And in essence make a solid run of wires from the button to the starter.

It took me a while but I did find a picture from this site of the very same butt connector I am referring to. It is the same 3GM30F Yanmar as mine. And the only connector, I can see, from the Push Button to the starter. Thats why I feel it is the issue. Red arrow, I added, shows the 3 wires from the push button.
I hope I have this right and you can understand my logic.

View attachment 219749

Regarding the above posting and photo. Has anyone removed this connector and spliced the wires together? Did it solve the intermittent starting problem and eliminate having to install a starting relay? Does anyone have photos of your starting relay installation or wire splicing?

 

[sailcapt340]

Nichole,
You may want to look in the forums for a posting from August 2017 “Yanmar 3GM30F Wire Connector”. this may answer some of your questions. I think you may have even shown a photo of my broken “extension harness” in one of your comments.
Sorry I don’t have any photos to show as well. But it would be good if someone does have a photo of their replacement of that Extension Harness. A picture is worth a thousand words.
My “guess” is that is a major source of your intermittent starting issue. More than the switch itself. As well as the fuse holder just before it. The second weak link in the chain. Now that “fuse holder” may be anywhere in the line, depending on the installation at the time. That’s the treasure hunt, to say the least.
Also check “Leslie Troyer“ and “Geek guy“ responses in the same post. They expertly help clear up the cutting of the harness wires.
I hope this helps you in some way and stops your boat from “not” starting. How frustrating is that!

 

[kappykaplan]

You may want to look in the forums for a posting from August 2017 “Yanmar 3GM30F Wire Connector”.

Here's a direct link:

Yanmar 3GM30F Wire Connector

After replacing the Yanmar starter button on my 2000 340 because of intermittent starting issues I found this wire connection. Reading all the posts relating to Yanmar's wiring issues, I traced all the wires to see if any deterioration of the wires, as many have said could be a further issue...

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