starter

[Tom I]

I have a 1984 Catalina 30 but my question is of a general nature. My three cylinder Universal starts well, however, on some occasions after the usual glow plug heating when I depress the starter button the solenoid to the starter does not kick in. If I push the starter button 2 or 3 times while depressing the glow plug button it has always kicked in the starter after a few tries but I am concerned that obviously something is not right and sooner or later at an inappropriate moment the starter will not kick in when I push the starter button no matter how many times I push it. I am thinking it is probably the starter solenoid. Any diesel techies with some words of wisdom for me? Thanks.

 

[Tom Wingo]

wiring harness upgrade

I have been reading about the seaward wiring harness upgrade for catalina 30's. I pulled the rubber wiring socket next to the engine last weekend and it was full of corrosion.... I have had one or two occasions of the same problem you relate. I am upgrading the harness next weekend. You might try cleaning the sockets next to the engine and the control panel and see what happens.

 

[Vic]

Universal wiring uses a harness and plug ...

at the motor ... which plugs into an extention cord of fixed length depending on the boat ... which plugs into the start panel harness ... Both connections are prone to deterioration and indeed the wire to the starter solenoid may also be a little under capacity depending on how long the extention harness is. As I recall one #10 wire fed the glow plugs, meters, and starter circuit.Once you have eliminated bad batteries, bad solenoid, bad key switch, wiring is always an interesting option. I rewired my 272 ... rebuilt the instrument panel and placed it closer to the engine at the front of the cockpit and just ran the starter switch and glow plug switch on two separate #10 circuits at the back of the cockpit. Eliminated a lot of wire. Motor starts real easy now. I have two nice new batteries, new key switch ... well checked out solenoid ... only left the wiring harness which solved the problem.The Universal clowns also had a FUSE installed behind the start panel which was accessible only by removing the start panel and both ends of that fuse were corroded and fell apart when I tried to check that fuse out. Talk about suicide type engineering. The mounting plastic for the start panel was too weak and cracked letting water in over the fuse and key switch.Can you tell I am not a happy universal wiring camper?Vic

 

[Al Miegel]

Youshould have at least 11.2V at the solenoid

If not you have a bad switch or too small a wire or corrosion, etc. Check the voltage when in the "crank" position. If you have more than 11.2V then either your starter brushes are worn, your armature has a dead spot or your solenoid is going.