Yanmar 24

[Jim Henderson]

The engine panel for my Yanmar engine has a couple of problems. First, the ingnition is worn so badly any 'ole key will do to start the engine. Second, the starter button works about half the time you use it. Do I need to replace the entire engine panel?

 

[Steve Dion]

Any ol' key will do.

Jim:We replaced our panel a few years ago and the old unit and the new one both would accept almost any key that you use. I think a screw driver works too. The cost of the new panel was not very much (as I remember). We moved our fuel shut off to the top of the engine compartment. If we are someplace that I am suspect of the security I just pull the cutoff. This way no one is going to start the engine unless they break in down below too.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Is it panel?

Jim, I experience something similar with a Yanmar 20 on my H37C. But since I have gauges I can see that the ignition starter button is working. When I push the button the amp meter jumps which tells me there is 12V DC going to the starter. It could be the switch(too much resistance) but it could also be the starter.

 

[Paul Akers]

Me too!

Here's my experience on both things.We have a 1988 Legend 37. Any key fits the ignition (even a screw driver). All Yanmar keys are the same. The blanks fit any Yanmar ignition. I did have to replace the ignition once after I used a screw driver. They are easy to install and should cost about $40 to replace (w/o labor).The start button. Mine started giving me a problem. The started would stutter or I would have to push the button a couple times to make it start turning over. I had a mechanic look at it and he found excessive length on the starter cable as well as poor cable/terminal connections. It was installed at the factory that way. This was causing a power drop to the starter. He shortened the cable and put on new connectors and the problem went away.