Well, my new (used, but new to me) 1984 O'Day 28 is finally in the water. Now for what may be a VERY dumb question. When I got up to the lake last night, I tried to start her and....nothing. When I spoke to marina personnel earlier that day, they said that when they launched it, it started right up and ran smoothly to her slip. This is admittedly my first time with a diesel and am familiar with it's operation only through books, and suspect I may be starting it wrong. Here's what I did: -Turned battery selector switch to "All" -checked that gear was in neutral, with throttle slightly advanced. -turned ignition key to "on" -pushed glow plug button for approx. 30 sec. -released glow plug button -pushed "start" button and got nothing. Two things I noticed was that I heard no "clicks" from the starter solenoid (or no other sounds for that matter). And I also noticed I wasn't getting the oil low pressure light on the starter panel. I checked the batteries and contacts which were both fine, with a good charge. I figure it's got to be one of two things: I'm either starting it wrong, or there is a problem with the electrical system, i.e. starter switch or bad contact between the switch and the battery. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!
Starting my diesel on O'Day 28
- Thread starter sapadeni
- Start date
- Status
Well, my new (used, but new to me) 1984 O'Day 28 is finally in the water. Now for what may be a VERY dumb question. When I got up to the lake last night, I tried to start her and....nothing. When I spoke to marina personnel earlier that day, they said that when they launched it, it started right up and ran smoothly to her slip. This is admittedly my first time with a diesel and am familiar with it's operation only through books, and suspect I may be starting it wrong. Here's what I did: -Turned battery selector switch to "All" -checked that gear was in neutral, with throttle slightly advanced. -turned ignition key to "on" -pushed glow plug button for approx. 30 sec. -released glow plug button -pushed "start" button and got nothing. Two things I noticed was that I heard no "clicks" from the starter solenoid (or no other sounds for that matter). And I also noticed I wasn't getting the oil low pressure light on the starter panel. I checked the batteries and contacts which were both fine, with a good charge. I figure it's got to be one of two things: I'm either starting it wrong, or there is a problem with the electrical system, i.e. starter switch or bad contact between the switch and the battery. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!
Push and hold glow plug
Push the glow plug switch and hold for count to 10 then WITH the glow plug sw held down push the start button. Start button will not operate without glow plug button on. Brian, 272LE "Hosanna"
Push the glow plug switch and hold for count to 10 then WITH the glow plug sw held down push the start button. Start button will not operate without glow plug button on. Brian, 272LE "Hosanna"
Push and hold glow plug
Push the glow plug switch and hold for count to 10 then WITH the glow plug sw held down push the start button. Start button will not operate without glow plug button on. Brian, 272LE "Hosanna"
Push the glow plug switch and hold for count to 10 then WITH the glow plug sw held down push the start button. Start button will not operate without glow plug button on. Brian, 272LE "Hosanna"
oil pressure light
should be on when the key goes on without the glow or start buttons being pressed (unless of course the light is burned out) so perhaps you have a problem other than not pushing the two buttons simultaneously. Did it work fine after Brian's info? Which engine do you have?
should be on when the key goes on without the glow or start buttons being pressed (unless of course the light is burned out) so perhaps you have a problem other than not pushing the two buttons simultaneously. Did it work fine after Brian's info? Which engine do you have?
oil pressure light
should be on when the key goes on without the glow or start buttons being pressed (unless of course the light is burned out) so perhaps you have a problem other than not pushing the two buttons simultaneously. Did it work fine after Brian's info? Which engine do you have?
should be on when the key goes on without the glow or start buttons being pressed (unless of course the light is burned out) so perhaps you have a problem other than not pushing the two buttons simultaneously. Did it work fine after Brian's info? Which engine do you have?
I have a Universal Diesel
At no point did I get the oil light. I haven't been up to the lake since so haven't been able to try it again. To be honest, I'm pretty sure I tried at some point to start it with both buttons pushed, but I may not have. I suspect I may have another issue. Bad ignition switch?
At no point did I get the oil light. I haven't been up to the lake since so haven't been able to try it again. To be honest, I'm pretty sure I tried at some point to start it with both buttons pushed, but I may not have. I suspect I may have another issue. Bad ignition switch?
I have a Universal Diesel
At no point did I get the oil light. I haven't been up to the lake since so haven't been able to try it again. To be honest, I'm pretty sure I tried at some point to start it with both buttons pushed, but I may not have. I suspect I may have another issue. Bad ignition switch?
At no point did I get the oil light. I haven't been up to the lake since so haven't been able to try it again. To be honest, I'm pretty sure I tried at some point to start it with both buttons pushed, but I may not have. I suspect I may have another issue. Bad ignition switch?
If no oil light
It could be a bad switch so you might check that first. See if your getting power to the switch. There has been a common problem with the wiring of the starter circuit on the older universal diesels. Check the link which should be to Westerbeke Universal service bulletin 213. I had a similar problem and fixed it by running a new 10 gage wire between the start button and the starter (yellow/red wire #3 in the wiring diagram)as suggested in item #3. You'll replace the fuse holder and bypass the molded engine harness plug at the same time. It was an easy fix and now cranks every time like it was new. The original wire was only 16 gage and just not up to carrying the load after a few years in a marine environment. But,if your not getting juice to the panel this might only be a secondary problem. You'd have to trace the wires and connections back from the panel. Do check the fuse in the 10 gage red wire (#5 in the diagram)that goes between the starter and the panel. If it was working when the yard launched the boat maybe there is just a loose connection. I'm clearly not an expert but I hope this helps some. Good luck. here's also a link where you can find a wiring diagram. http://www.marinedieseldirect.com/universal/200157/universal-owners-wiring-diagram.html Good luck
It could be a bad switch so you might check that first. See if your getting power to the switch. There has been a common problem with the wiring of the starter circuit on the older universal diesels. Check the link which should be to Westerbeke Universal service bulletin 213. I had a similar problem and fixed it by running a new 10 gage wire between the start button and the starter (yellow/red wire #3 in the wiring diagram)as suggested in item #3. You'll replace the fuse holder and bypass the molded engine harness plug at the same time. It was an easy fix and now cranks every time like it was new. The original wire was only 16 gage and just not up to carrying the load after a few years in a marine environment. But,if your not getting juice to the panel this might only be a secondary problem. You'd have to trace the wires and connections back from the panel. Do check the fuse in the 10 gage red wire (#5 in the diagram)that goes between the starter and the panel. If it was working when the yard launched the boat maybe there is just a loose connection. I'm clearly not an expert but I hope this helps some. Good luck. here's also a link where you can find a wiring diagram. http://www.marinedieseldirect.com/universal/200157/universal-owners-wiring-diagram.html Good luck
If no oil light
It could be a bad switch so you might check that first. See if your getting power to the switch. There has been a common problem with the wiring of the starter circuit on the older universal diesels. Check the link which should be to Westerbeke Universal service bulletin 213. I had a similar problem and fixed it by running a new 10 gage wire between the start button and the starter (yellow/red wire #3 in the wiring diagram)as suggested in item #3. You'll replace the fuse holder and bypass the molded engine harness plug at the same time. It was an easy fix and now cranks every time like it was new. The original wire was only 16 gage and just not up to carrying the load after a few years in a marine environment. But,if your not getting juice to the panel this might only be a secondary problem. You'd have to trace the wires and connections back from the panel. Do check the fuse in the 10 gage red wire (#5 in the diagram)that goes between the starter and the panel. If it was working when the yard launched the boat maybe there is just a loose connection. I'm clearly not an expert but I hope this helps some. Good luck. here's also a link where you can find a wiring diagram. http://www.marinedieseldirect.com/universal/200157/universal-owners-wiring-diagram.html Good luck
It could be a bad switch so you might check that first. See if your getting power to the switch. There has been a common problem with the wiring of the starter circuit on the older universal diesels. Check the link which should be to Westerbeke Universal service bulletin 213. I had a similar problem and fixed it by running a new 10 gage wire between the start button and the starter (yellow/red wire #3 in the wiring diagram)as suggested in item #3. You'll replace the fuse holder and bypass the molded engine harness plug at the same time. It was an easy fix and now cranks every time like it was new. The original wire was only 16 gage and just not up to carrying the load after a few years in a marine environment. But,if your not getting juice to the panel this might only be a secondary problem. You'd have to trace the wires and connections back from the panel. Do check the fuse in the 10 gage red wire (#5 in the diagram)that goes between the starter and the panel. If it was working when the yard launched the boat maybe there is just a loose connection. I'm clearly not an expert but I hope this helps some. Good luck. here's also a link where you can find a wiring diagram. http://www.marinedieseldirect.com/universal/200157/universal-owners-wiring-diagram.html Good luck
- Status