starter motor

[tomfoolery]

I discovered the short cable that connects the starter motor to the solenoid has disolved into dust. Unfortunately while the cable is connected to a stud on the solenoid it is not connected to the starter in a similar way. THere appears to be a small hole at the end of the starter casing were the wire passes into and must be connected inside the case of the starter. Rather than just replace a cable between two studs it looks like I am going to have to remove the starter to get at the starter end of the cable. Grrrrr.

 

[Stu Jackson]

What engine?

nm

 

[Tom Irwin]

forgot that stu

its a 1983 Catalina 30 - three cylinder m25 universal

 

[Stu Jackson]

Starter connection

Tom, you wrote: "Unfortunately while the cable is connected to a stud on the solenoid it is not connected to the starter in a similar way."That doesn't sound right to me, but I'm not at the boat.There IS a connection in board between the starboard side of the starter and the port side of the engine. You can't see it easily.It is a spade connection.If you get a mirror you'll see it.It faces forward.This may be the connection you're looking for.It could also be just the wire from the starter switch to the starter, but check it out first.StuPS While you're at it, check the fuse in the line between the starter switch and the solenoid. The fuse holder itself tends to go south after a number of years. Won't let you start the engine, the fuel pump goes, but no starter turnover.

 

[tomfoolery]

THanks Stu I will have a close look today

NM

 

[tomfoolery]

Hey Stu check this diagram

If you look at the right end (forward end) of the starter in the diagram you can see the wire that exits the starter case and goes to the solenoid stud like on my engine. Pretty poor engineering if I have to remove the starter just to replace a three inch wire.

 

[tomfoolery]

Hot strap

Calder calls it a hot strap. it is a 3inch wire that carries the battery power from the solenoid to the starter. As starters are grounded through the case to the block the wire can't just be 'bolted'to the starter case. This wire has to pass through a rubber grommet which insulates it from the starter case through a hole in the starter case into the motor. So unless someone tells me that the rubber grommet and wire just pops out with a pry from a screw driver (which is unlikely) it looks like the starter is coming off. at least I am thankful I discovered this at my home dock not in the middle of a two week trip.

 

[Stu Jackson]

It sure looks that way

TomGlad you caught it, too. I'm gonna go check mine today. There's No ID on the parts lists that accompanies the flywheel photo you pictured above for that wire. How nice of them.Since the starter and solenoid are "married" together it looks like the two bolts that hold the starter into the rear end plate have to come out, unless you can find some way to get the forward end of the starter off without removing the whole thing and just gain access to the wire inside.Wish I could help more, good luck.Stu

 

[tomfoolery]

Thanks for the feedback Stu, I'll let you know how

nm

 

[Stu Jackson]

More Input

TomI stopped off at the Universal dealer here yesterday. The new M35s have the starter and solenoid further aft and, guess what???, the stupid wire doesn't come through the case at all anymore, it's bolted on!!!I checked with the desk guy, and showed him the wire in the manual picture you posted above. He said that since the part (wire) isn't specifically designated, his advice would be to take it off and bring it to a specialist (one he recommended here locally). I thanked him, for pretty much confirming what we already figured out.Guess if ya got it off, you can fix it yourself. (The guy at the store doesn't know how handy YOU can be!)Good luck, sorry to simply only confirm the bad news.Stu

 

[tomfoolery]

hey Stu

Removed the starter today - no problem with removal. THought I might need to use a large wrench and lever but some wd40 over night and the two bolts came out smoothly. A friend is dropping the starter/solenoid at a vIctoria motor rebuilder tommorrow and it will be rebuilt in a few days. THat's one thing I enjoy about boat ownership, when you don't just throw money at a problem but think it out, with feedback from others, including guys on this site, and make it right, you can really surprise yourself about what you can figure out. I wonder how many other 80's universals might have the same weakness in the starting circuit, might pay for others to check that wire. Thanks again for you help Stu.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Amazing Coincidence

TomGood news from you, good luck. Just coincidentally, today, our C34 Message Board came up with this older 2004 thread with a new question - amazing timing!Stu