I have a Hunter 356 and have issues with starter. I replaced the starter motor and start switch (button), but still have the issue, which is starter button will only engage starter motor if everything is turned off on 12 volt panel. It has been recommended that I run a dedicated wire from switch to motor as Hunter cable harness corrodes. Can anyone explain how to connect dedicated wire? Where does it tie in to switch and where does it tie into starter motor? Any help is appreciated...
Rewiring Starter switch
- Thread starter jonny356
- Start date
I am going to assume you have checked out your batteries for correct charged voltage.
#2 For the sake of simplicity, remove the existing (+) wire connected to the starter relay and then connect at least a #16 wire to the (+) terninal of your starter relay. NOT THE STARTER MOTOR. The starter relay will pull ~ 18A and the starter motor will pull ~170A and the #16 wire will burst into flames. Be careful, there is no fuse in this temporary wire.
#3 Run the #16 wire back to your battery. When you are ready to start the engine, touch the wire to the battery (+) terminal. The engine should start without a problem. Next, try putting a heavy load on your 12V system i.e. lights, reefer, water pump, etc. and once again try to start the engine by touching the wire to the battery (+). If it still starts nicely, the wiring harness MAY be your problem.
If the battery does not readily start, you have a problem in your 12V wiring.
A word of caution when troubleshooting : Never replace a costly part (starter motor and starter button) until you know the exact cause of the problem and can than determine what needs replacement.
Let us know what happens and we'll go from there. This is one of the most common failures on Hunters and also one of the easiest to troubleshoot.
Check the archives here for an encyclopedia of material on this Hunter problem.
#1 Even if this works, don't get any ideas about using this as a permanent solution. THIS IS ONLY A TEST. Electricity is the most dangerous thing on your boat.
#2 For the sake of simplicity, remove the existing (+) wire connected to the starter relay and then connect at least a #16 wire to the (+) terninal of your starter relay. NOT THE STARTER MOTOR. The starter relay will pull ~ 18A and the starter motor will pull ~170A and the #16 wire will burst into flames. Be careful, there is no fuse in this temporary wire.
#3 Run the #16 wire back to your battery. When you are ready to start the engine, touch the wire to the battery (+) terminal. The engine should start without a problem. Next, try putting a heavy load on your 12V system i.e. lights, reefer, water pump, etc. and once again try to start the engine by touching the wire to the battery (+). If it still starts nicely, the wiring harness MAY be your problem.
If the battery does not readily start, you have a problem in your 12V wiring.
A word of caution when troubleshooting : Never replace a costly part (starter motor and starter button) until you know the exact cause of the problem and can than determine what needs replacement.
Let us know what happens and we'll go from there. This is one of the most common failures on Hunters and also one of the easiest to troubleshoot.
Ralph, I could not have said it better.
A relay can be added next to the starter relay to energize the starter relay coil. The new relay coil is energized by the starter button. The second relay draws much less current so no wiring change is needed. Also always install a diode across the relay coil to stop ant EMF spikes which may damage electronic devices.
A relay can be added next to the starter relay to energize the starter relay coil. The new relay coil is energized by the starter button. The second relay draws much less current so no wiring change is needed. Also always install a diode across the relay coil to stop ant EMF spikes which may damage electronic devices.
The issue is not a Hunter issue, it is a Yanmar wiring harness issue. A search for solutions using Yanmar starting issues will yet more results and solutions.
The crux of the issue is inadequate voltage at the solenoid to allow the solenoid to engage and thus engage the starter. This is a relatively low amperage circuit as opposed to the starter motor circuit which can carry 200a or more on the inrush. Two possible sources of the problem are low battery voltage, i.e., a battery that is way undercharged or on its last legs, or voltage loss in the wire powering the solenoid.
Power for the solenoid comes from the connection of the large cable for the starter motor to starter. There should be a small gauge wire (16?) on the lug. This wire then goes to the key switch, then to the start button, and then back to solenoid. For any number of reasons the voltage drop on this wire becomes too large to activate the solenoid. Sometimes it is intermittent, the engine won't start on the first try, but after a few tries it does start, other times it starts right up, and sometimes it won't. I don't have a good explanation for it being intermittent.
There are several solutions available, all of them involve rewiring the circuit to provide more power to the solenoid. The one you choose depends on your knowledge, skills, and comfort dealing with engine wiring.
The crux of the issue is inadequate voltage at the solenoid to allow the solenoid to engage and thus engage the starter. This is a relatively low amperage circuit as opposed to the starter motor circuit which can carry 200a or more on the inrush. Two possible sources of the problem are low battery voltage, i.e., a battery that is way undercharged or on its last legs, or voltage loss in the wire powering the solenoid.
Power for the solenoid comes from the connection of the large cable for the starter motor to starter. There should be a small gauge wire (16?) on the lug. This wire then goes to the key switch, then to the start button, and then back to solenoid. For any number of reasons the voltage drop on this wire becomes too large to activate the solenoid. Sometimes it is intermittent, the engine won't start on the first try, but after a few tries it does start, other times it starts right up, and sometimes it won't. I don't have a good explanation for it being intermittent.
There are several solutions available, all of them involve rewiring the circuit to provide more power to the solenoid. The one you choose depends on your knowledge, skills, and comfort dealing with engine wiring.
And maybe even through a neutral safety switch on the shift control lever at the helm.
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Just placing blame where blame is due. Hunter gets enough bad press, pass some of it on to Yanmar.Yes, yes, yes. I stand corrected.
Big bloody deal.