starter button

[icos200]

I saw a post on this forum yrs. ago (around 2002) in which a Hunter owner had the exact same problem I am experienceing right now. But I do not know if he ever resolved it. I beleive he had a hunter 33 and when he went do to the marina to go out sailing he would turn his ignition switch on and push his starter buttom and go. no problem. But after a day of sailing trying to restart his yanmar 2GM20f, he would have to push the starter button serveral times before it would start. I have that exact same problem on my Hunter 290. It always starts but its an un-easy feeling when a barge is bearing down on you.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Keith13315]

yep it is usually not the switch but the wiring harness. It has two connectors in it take it apart clean the pins. Put it back together it should work.

 

[Steve Dion]

It can be the starter button, but more likey it is resistance in the wire.

There are a couple of solutions. One is to run a new wire from the button to the starter. The other solution has been to put a relay in the line.

 

[Dan Hill]

As a precaution to this failure I installed a relay close to the motor. I also added a second starter button next to the relay so I can crank the motor from the engine compartment. Easy and useful upgrade/repair for a common problem.

 

[robertsapp]

Running a new continous #8 or #10 wire from the start switch to the solenoid fixes the problem, which is excessive voltage drop in the existing wire due to high resistance from aging and multiple connections that corrode. Installing a solenoid is a more expensive work around that copes with the issue through treating the symptom by allowing the system to function in spite of the voltage drop.

If the starter button itself is bad, neither method is a reliable fix.

Either approach can accomodate a local start switch.

 

[SheBreeze]

Same problem with my 290. We had a second switch placed inside the engine compartment.

 

[icos200]

A lot of good thoughts on this problem. Thanks for all your help guys.

 

[Warren Milberg]

I would bet it's not the starter button. I trod this same path soon after I bought my boat (with a Yanmar 2GM20F) in 2003. Either replace the wiring harness or add a 12vdc relay to the solenoid. I've written about this problem and the fix I used. Go to the Sailboatowners site/Boat Info/Engines/Yanmar for more info.

 

[Dan Hill]

That's where I initially read about this issue. I had a weak cranking issue which I traced to a voltage drop situation. The starter was only receiving about 8.5 volts measured down stream of the solinoid. Most of the problem was in poorly made battery cables, almost 1 volt each @ 2 ends. I also tested through the oem starter circuit and found a 2v reduction there hence the relay install with additional button that triggers the relay. Now I have close to 11v when cranking, which is acceptable, and a handy dandy starter button in the engine compartment. Thanks again Warren.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Relay solution...

In addition to Warren's write-up, here's a pix to help. First one is for a Radio Shack relay and the second, a drawing, is for a typical car starter solenoid (ala Ford).

 

[robertsapp]

In addition to Warren's write-up, here's a pix to help. First one is for a Radio Shack relay and the second, a drawing, is for a typical car starter solenoid (ala Ford).

When we first bought our boat three years ago, we had this problem The previous owner actually started the engine by shorting across the solenoid with a screwdriver. He actually had a dedicated engine starting screwdriver at the nav station - thought it was no big deal. That's the type of guy he was. You can imagine some of the other issues I've uncovered and fixed since.

We originally used this diagram and bought the solenoid from Radio Shack. It lasted for two engine starts and then blew out. The only way to truly fix this problem is to run a new number ten wire from the starter button to the solenoid. Not only does it solve the problem, it's actually a cheaper fix. Twelve feet of #10 , a butt connector and a ring connector. Anything else is just hiding the problem with a work around.

Your boat your choice.