Starter Button

[Ed van Kessel]

I have an '87 Catalina 30 with the Universal 25 diesel engine. The start panel still has the key, the glow-plug button, and the starter button.Sometimes, when trying to start the engine, I get no response to pressing the start button. I am looking for suggestions on how to proceed: a way to fix the problem, or a place to buy new parts.It hasn't been a major problem so far, but it is not reliable.Ed

 

[Rick]

common problem - easy fix

The electrical harness that runs between the instrument panel and the engine has 2 connector plugs. One is behind the panel in the cockpit and the other is by the engine. They are probably taped together and maybe even have a wire tie pulling the halves together. The pins inside the plugs get corroded and continuity becomes intermittent.Pull the connectors apart and clean well or replace the connectors with busbar type junction blocks. This is a great site with lots of helpful information. However if you limit yourself to just the info you get here then you are only getting a fraction of the knowledge that is available to catalina 30 owners. Every C30 owner should have the tech manual available from the C30 web site. Also the C30 email list (at sailnet.com) has covered this subject several times along with many other subjects that will save you money, time and frustration.