Stu Pls Help

[DanNahant]

I have a 1987 Catalina 30 Mk II with the Universal M25XP diesel. Even when the batteries are fully charged, the starter switch will not crank the engine. I was able to jump crank the starter by placing a screw driver across the positive leads on the starter. So I figured bad starter switch and replaced it. Still no Luck. I get no starter at all when I hit the glow plug and starter button. If I jump it first and run the starter for a few seconds, then the switch at the helm panel works ok. Now my new screwdrivers look like a beginners welding project. I think the answer is the wiring harness upgrade,
but I can't find the link in the archives.

 

[Stu Jackson]

OK from "Linkman"

Dan, glad to help. Try these, if they don't do it, let me know.

Here's the wiring harness links:
http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Engine_Harness_Upgrade
http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=M25_(not_the_XP)_Engine_Harness_Warning/Upgrade

Our C34 Tech Wiki - engines is here: http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Diesel_Engine

You shouldn't hold the glow plug & start buttons at the same time.

Check your engine ground connection behind the alternator: the lug, the connection of the wire to the lug, etc. Pull hard on it.

You obviously have power since it starts when it's eating up your screwdrivers! It is usually NOT the switch or the buttons in the cockpit, it's wiring connections. Try this, too:http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4546.0.html

When in doubt in finding stuff, use either the Main MB page, and read the Critical Upgrades sticky or go to the Tech wiki.

Don't forget the start button fuse holder between the button and the starter solenoid cleverly hidden behind the alternator. http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4556.0.html

 

[Jack, La Paloma]

Starter or relay?

I have a 1987 Catalina 30 Mk II with the Universal M25XP diesel. Even when the batteries are fully charged, the starter switch will not crank the engine. I was able to jump crank the starter by placing a screw driver across the positive leads on the starter. So I figured bad starter switch and replaced it. Still no Luck. I get no starter at all when I hit the glow plug and starter button. If I jump it first and run the starter for a few seconds, then the switch at the helm panel works ok. Now my new screwdrivers look like a beginners welding project. I think the answer is the wiring harness upgrade,
but I can't find the link in the archives.

Are you putting the screwdrive across the terminals of the starter relay? The starter switch cannot carry the full current demanded by the starter therefore it only controls a starter relay that switches the starter on. It is common when the relay fails to use a screwdriver to connect the two positive terminals together allowing current to flow to the starter. If it is the starter relay, you can purchase a replacement at an auto parts store quite cheaply.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Engine starter relays

For the M25 series engines, the starter solenoid IS the relay. Good point, however, for other types of engines.

 

[Dan Nahant]

Muchos gracias

Thanks Stu. I will have a chilly but productive winter on the hard