Starter switch

J

Julescardin

.
Nov 29, 2013
10
Catalina 36 mkii Marion
Hi, I am having an issue starting my 1989 catalina 36 mkii with a m35 Diesel engine. We are not getting any power to the glow plugs. We jumped directly from the battery to the first glow plug and the engine fired so we know the glow plugs are good. We are speculating that the switch could be the issue. The switch has three positions, off, a second position that engages the gauges and I believe the fuel pump, and a third position that engages the glow plugs. Is this correct?
Is it possible that the third position has shorted out which is why the glow plugs are not getting power.
What is the easiest way to check.
Any help would be appreciated.
Jules cardin
 
D

Donnybrook

.
Apr 2, 2011
185
Catalina 27 Niceville, FL
On an 89 model, the key switch should be off, run, and glow plug. The latter is activated by holding the key to the right. Has your boat had the wiring harness mod done? Originally the wiring harness from the engine to the control panel had a 8-pin connector at each end. Sometimes called a trailer plug or gummy plug. These plugs are prone to fail, either by corrosion or just plain breaking apart causing all kinds of electrical gremlins. That is the first place I would look.
 
J

Julescardin

.
Nov 29, 2013
10
Catalina 36 mkii Marion
Donnybrook said:
On an 89 model, the key switch should be off, run, and glow plug. The latter is activated by holding the key to the right. Has your boat had the wiring harness mod done? Originally the wiring harness from the engine to the control panel had a 8-pin connector at each end. Sometimes called a trailer plug or gummy plug. These plugs are prone to fail, either by corrosion or just plain breaking apart causing all kinds of electrical gremlins. That is the first place I would look.
Click to expand
Jim, we bought the boat in April so I do not know if the harness was changed. I will reach out to the former owner and ask him. Is there an easy way to check if I cannot reach him.

Thanks
 
D

Donnybrook

.
Apr 2, 2011
185
Catalina 27 Niceville, FL
You can find a lot of information in the archives about these plugs. The short version is look at the wire bundle going to the engine. If original, you will find 8 wires going into a plug similar to a trailer connection plug. Probably wrapped in black tape. Make sure the batteries are turned off, as these things can crumble in your hands and they are hot. There should be another plug at the back of the instrument panel. If you find butt splices or terminal strips, then someone has already done the mod. If you find the plugs, you need to get rid of them pronto.
 
G

Graycruiser

.
Jun 7, 2004
36
Catalina 320 Middle River, MD
Julescardin said:
Hi, I am having an issue starting my 1989 catalina 36 mkii with a m35 Diesel engine. We are not getting any power to the glow plugs. We jumped directly from the battery to the first glow plug and the engine fired so we know the glow plugs are good. We are speculating that the switch could be the issue. The switch has three positions, off, a second position that engages the gauges and I believe the fuel pump, and a third position that engages the glow plugs. Is this correct?
Is it possible that the third position has shorted out which is why the glow plugs are not getting power.
What is the easiest way to check.
Any help would be appreciated.
Jules cardin
Click to expand
You don't say what mfgr is the M35. I have a Perkins M30. On our Perkins the glow plug position on the key switch activates a relay on the engine that powers the glow plugs because the glow plugs draw more current than is manageable by small gage wires going to the pedestal. Try passing a current to the switch side of the relay to see if that is working. Otherwise make sure the wire from the switch is not broken.
 
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