Push Engine Start Button... nothing happens

[SailFysh]

The past two times we have taken our 2003 Catalina 310 out we have experienced starting issues. The Universal M25XP does not turn over and we hear nothing but the birds singing when we push the starter button. I open the engine cover and trace wiring with my fingers looking for a bad connection. The engine starts and runs normal after 3-4 attempts. I assume I have a bad connection somewhere but the problem has not repeated itself enough for me to know exactly where. Could it also be a ground issue at the battery?

I have read on these forums about a fuse underneath the alternator that may be corroded and need replacing. Unfortunately there is NO WAY I can see that area because the port side of the engine is sitting against the head wall.

Thanks for any tips and comments.

Neal

 

[Stu Jackson]

Then you have a couple of choices

1 Get the front of your shirts and sleeves and arms REALLY dirty, and get in there, use mirrors, flashlights, whatever. That fuse & fuseholder is connected to the starter solenoid, cleverly hidden from your view. The wire comes from the start button and the wiring harness to the engine.

2 Drop your alternator. It'll be good practice.

All in good humor, 'cuz that's what I had to do!!!

Maine Sail has a great picture of what's back there:

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/catalina_36_alternator

One of our skippers suggests the fuse is meaningless. You can read about it in our C34 Critical Upgrades topic:

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5078.15.html

Good luck, it's worth finding. Glad you learned about it and asked, Neal.

 

[buddybear]

Had a similar problem 2001 Catalina 310 Hull#57. I found that the issue was the positive wire attached to the front of the starter, the connection to the starter had broken off and when I moved wires around part of the wire made contact and it would start. You can open the engine cover and let it all the way down then open the head door and you will be able to crawl down and see the front of the starter make sure the wire which is attached to the front of the starter is secure it has a female connector which attaches to a spade connector, this was my problem may or not be yours. If it happened once and you did not find the problem it will happen again, I do not know anything about the fuse you mentioned.

Good Luck,
Mark

 

[Picflight]

An inspection camera can provide some view into the area. I have used one in combination with an old digital camera, small in size, flash on, in tight areas and stuck it in as far as it will go and snap away.

You will be surprised of the view you get.

 

[SailFysh]

Thanks Stu,
I am learning everyday, thanks to this forum and the great info posted here. In reading over the Critical Upgrades posts, I noted the wiring harness issue. I wonder if this applies to my 2003 C310? What should I look for? I am not too excited with the thought of rewiring but it seems to be a serious problem waiting to happen. Thanks again.
Neal

 

[SailFysh]

Thanks buddybear and picflight... I will post what I find.

 

[Long Story]

Given that it does start at some point, I guess I would start with a loose wire on the start switch itself, and also check for a loose wire on the key switch. I had the key switch fail, and if you held the start button in and wiggled the key it would start. This is a clean area to work, and I'd start from there and trace down to the starter.

My 2 Cents

Russ
s/v Long Story

 

[SailFysh]

Thanks Russ... I appreciate all the ideas... now I guess I better fix the darn thing.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Thanks Stu,
I am learning everyday, thanks to this forum and the great info posted here. In reading over the Critical Upgrades posts, I noted the wiring harness issue. I wonder if this applies to my 2003 C310? What should I look for? I am not too excited with the thought of rewiring but it seems to be a serious problem waiting to happen. Thanks again.

Neal,

Only you can tell what you have on your boat. However, the wiring harness CONNECTIONS are a production METHOD used by Catalina and many other manufacturers. Chances are you do. Your fellow C310 skippers could chime in here, too.

If you click on the links within that Critical Upgrades topic, there are many pictures of the connectors which created the issue. Here's another one: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,8580.msg60715.html#msg60715

There is also an individual Critical Upgrades thread that explains the "components" of the "fix" and that many folks haven't felt it necessary to replace the actual wires, but replacing the CONNECTORS is essential.

If you read all the links, you'll find they are hidden under rolls of black electrical tape.

 

[SailFysh]

OK... think I'm on it

This afternoon I found a wire with a female spade connector that just fell off in my hand when I was inspecting it. So now all I have to do is figure out where it connects! I traded emails with the PO (thanks Mark), and he experienced a similar problem a few years ago. He directed me to the location and tomorrow I will try to find the well hidden male connector and fix this problem.

Also noticed a badly chafed water hose that runs from water pump to heat exchanger. Will get on that next.

Thanks everyone.

Neal

 

[peter_ms]

This afternoon I found a wire with a female spade connector that just fell off in my hand when I was inspecting it. So now all I have to do is figure out where it connects! I traded emails with the PO (thanks Mark), and he experienced a similar problem a few years ago. He directed me to the location and tomorrow I will try to find the well hidden male connector and fix this problem. Also noticed a badly chafed water hose that runs from water pump to heat exchanger. Will get on that next. Thanks everyone. Neal

Likely on the oil pressure switch ahead of and lower than the starter.

The "old" harnesses (Coles Notes version) had an ammeter in the pedestal or engine panel and this took all charging/starting and running current through undersized untinned wire with chintzy connectors. Was a huge hazard and thus is on the MUST DO list for older boats.

Our boats have the same wire & connectors but they are not subject to sustained high current and we have the 20A circuit beaker next to the electric fuel pump on the bellhousing mounting plate on the stbd side of the engine.

Regards
Peter
C310
For Pete's Sake
Hull #147

 

[SailFysh]

Thanks for the info Peter. The spade connector that failed was attached to the starter solenoid. I reconnected it this afternoon and all seems fine now. Thanks again everyone.

 

[peter_ms]

Glad to hear it is sorted out

 

[KZW]

I've had this problem several times. Everything appears to work (fuel pump, all the gauges, etc.) but pushing the starter button results in silence. I've also had the RPM gauge peg to the top intermittently. I traced the problem to the ground lead on the starter solenoid. There is a blade connector (male) in a little cup area. The female connector was on it, but the wire in the crimp was loose. It was fine for starting, but would vibrate loose with the engine running and yield the RPM gauge issue. When I put on a new connection, the female connector kept slipping off the male blade. It may have had a cap on it at one time, but that is long gone. I built up heat shrink tubing on the wire and finally fit a piece over the cup that grabs the wire and holds it in place