Ignition buzzer Ijust recently started having a problem with the toggle ignition. The meters come on when I turn the toggle switch, but the buzzer does not sound, and the start button does not engage the starter. At first, it just had a delay before the buzzer sounded, but now it does not come on at all. I checked the panel for connections and pulled most wires off, cleaned the terminals, and put back on. Checked as best I could for voltage, and ohms on the switch and buzzer. I have a button by the motor labeled "emergency starter" It starts the engine, but I am not sure at what expense. What exactly is the buzzer that comes ome when you turn the switch on connected to? I think I found the sender on the port side of the engine near the throttle cable. Will it hurt anything by starting with the "emergency starter" until I can locate the problem? Thanks much for your help/advise. I have only had the boat since March, and am new to sailboats/diesels. Engine is a Perkins Prima 50. I posted this on the Beneteau site, but it may be more appropriate here.
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My buzzer comes on when
there is no oil pressure. It may also sound when overheating but I am sure of the oil pressure. When I kill my engine, the buzzer won't come on until the oil pressure drops. Does the oil pressure gauge indicate pressure? There may be a separate sensor (on/off type) that works the buzzer. You can check it by using a meter if yours is the same setup. I believe it shorts to ground when there is pressure but it might be the other way around. You might also try disconnecting the sensor and see if the buzzer sounds. There may be a ground problem instead so check that too. Tighten and clean connections.
there is no oil pressure. It may also sound when overheating but I am sure of the oil pressure. When I kill my engine, the buzzer won't come on until the oil pressure drops. Does the oil pressure gauge indicate pressure? There may be a separate sensor (on/off type) that works the buzzer. You can check it by using a meter if yours is the same setup. I believe it shorts to ground when there is pressure but it might be the other way around. You might also try disconnecting the sensor and see if the buzzer sounds. There may be a ground problem instead so check that too. Tighten and clean connections.
K
Kerry
Buzzer
The oil pressure indicator is just a light. If the buzzer does not sound, is it causing the start button not to work? What are the possible problems using the "emergency starter button? It apparantly bypasses the ignition panel altogether.
The oil pressure indicator is just a light. If the buzzer does not sound, is it causing the start button not to work? What are the possible problems using the "emergency starter button? It apparantly bypasses the ignition panel altogether.
Don't know for certain about your engine
The oil pressure sensor / buzzer failure issue should not interfere with the regular starter switch. Does the oil pressure light come on when the engine is not running and the ignition switched on? Logically, the engine oil pressure is zero whenever you first start it, so that should not affect the regular start circuit. You probably should hear the buzzer until the oil pressure builds. Not hearing the buzzer AND the start switch malfunction indicates a problem with circuitry which is common to both. Ground circuit is a good possibility. There may be some other electronics which shuts down the engine when there is no oil pressure and it may have malfunctioned. The main thing is that using the "emergency start" switch should not harm anything. There may be a problem if you don't switch the "ignition switch" on first (and off last) when you start (and stop) the engine that way. Turning the ignition switch on or off at the wrong times may cause a voltage spike on the alternator circuit and that may blow something important like the alternator.
The oil pressure sensor / buzzer failure issue should not interfere with the regular starter switch. Does the oil pressure light come on when the engine is not running and the ignition switched on? Logically, the engine oil pressure is zero whenever you first start it, so that should not affect the regular start circuit. You probably should hear the buzzer until the oil pressure builds. Not hearing the buzzer AND the start switch malfunction indicates a problem with circuitry which is common to both. Ground circuit is a good possibility. There may be some other electronics which shuts down the engine when there is no oil pressure and it may have malfunctioned. The main thing is that using the "emergency start" switch should not harm anything. There may be a problem if you don't switch the "ignition switch" on first (and off last) when you start (and stop) the engine that way. Turning the ignition switch on or off at the wrong times may cause a voltage spike on the alternator circuit and that may blow something important like the alternator.
K
Kerry
Wiring Diagram
I spent about two hourstrying to locate the problem with the ignition. Finally gave up and had tech from recommended shop take a look. After looking at what I had looked at, he called and ask if I had a wiring diagram for the boat. He said he could spend a couple of days trying to track down the problem. I was about to order the workshop manual for the Perkins Prima M50, but they said it had no wiring diagrams. Any suggestions on where I might find such diagrams? It is a 1993 Beneteau Oceanis 400.
I spent about two hourstrying to locate the problem with the ignition. Finally gave up and had tech from recommended shop take a look. After looking at what I had looked at, he called and ask if I had a wiring diagram for the boat. He said he could spend a couple of days trying to track down the problem. I was about to order the workshop manual for the Perkins Prima M50, but they said it had no wiring diagrams. Any suggestions on where I might find such diagrams? It is a 1993 Beneteau Oceanis 400.
B
Benny
Similar problem
I was going out one day and when I hit the starter button it was dead. After cleaning all the battery connectors I got the engine started after crossin the selenoid with a screw driver. This told me I was not getting power to the panel. I disconnected the wiring harness at the panel and tested continuity from the panel out, I did the same at the engine and determined the positive lead had no continuity between the connector at the engine and the connector at the panel. I pulled it out and upon a visual inspection found where the positive lead was cut. At that place the harness rested on a sharp edge and it had chaffed through. Rather than rbuild the entire harness I used a waterproof connector and rapped a plastic cover over the wires. The point I want to make is that before the wire totally broke it was just probably hanging by a few strands and the symptoms were very similar to what you describe.
I was going out one day and when I hit the starter button it was dead. After cleaning all the battery connectors I got the engine started after crossin the selenoid with a screw driver. This told me I was not getting power to the panel. I disconnected the wiring harness at the panel and tested continuity from the panel out, I did the same at the engine and determined the positive lead had no continuity between the connector at the engine and the connector at the panel. I pulled it out and upon a visual inspection found where the positive lead was cut. At that place the harness rested on a sharp edge and it had chaffed through. Rather than rbuild the entire harness I used a waterproof connector and rapped a plastic cover over the wires. The point I want to make is that before the wire totally broke it was just probably hanging by a few strands and the symptoms were very similar to what you describe.
B
Benny
Wiring Diagrams?
I had not read your entire file. Your emergency switch just crossess the selenoid and if the engine starts it means the starting circuit is fine. It sounds like one of your main leads to the panel is failing. It may still have a few strands to light your gages but cannot carry enough power to start the engine. I don't know about your boat panel but there should only be one harness going from panel to engine. Take an Ohm meter and check for continuity in the individual wires. Beware of the tech who requires a wiring diagram for a simple circuit like that. Just peel off some of the cover insulation by the connector and test continuity by color of wires. If you have continuity then it has to be the switch itself but the fact that the buzzard is also not sounding would point to a broken wire or bad connector.
I had not read your entire file. Your emergency switch just crossess the selenoid and if the engine starts it means the starting circuit is fine. It sounds like one of your main leads to the panel is failing. It may still have a few strands to light your gages but cannot carry enough power to start the engine. I don't know about your boat panel but there should only be one harness going from panel to engine. Take an Ohm meter and check for continuity in the individual wires. Beware of the tech who requires a wiring diagram for a simple circuit like that. Just peel off some of the cover insulation by the connector and test continuity by color of wires. If you have continuity then it has to be the switch itself but the fact that the buzzard is also not sounding would point to a broken wire or bad connector.
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