Yanmar 3HM35F Starter issue

S

SailMaster

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Mar 31, 2012
139
Nord Cantieri 38 St Marys
While trying to pick up our vessel from a boat yard visit I attempted a start and I assume we are dealing with a bad solenoid. She engaged the starter for one or two turns and then stopped. I will try to check all electrical connections and make sure they are free of corrosion and tight. However, I’d like to know if there are any other suggestions.

The parts house that I use wants 1700 bucks for a new starter and solenoid. GOSH DARN I thought Volvo parts were overpriced.

Thank you in advance.
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

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Nov 6, 2006
10,058
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
The Yanmar wiring harness connectors are notorious for this problem. Look at the (usually two) big harness connectors at the engine and behind the engine instruments. If it does turn out to be the starter itself, you may be able to find a local starter/alternator rebuild shop that can rebuild it ... Good luck..
 
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Ralph Johnstone

Ralph Johnstone

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Jan 4, 2006
7,192
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
Try all the usual electrical tests for sure.

Then, in light of Mr. Kloudie's sage comment, eliminate all harnesses and other high resistance crap and see how your starter solenoid (NOT the starter) reacts when you supply a 12V (+) wire to it. It will only pull about 20A. If it behaves normally on each start, yes, it's a harness problem. Been there and corrected that.

Push button switch for starter

I push the starting button in - nothing, then I push it in several times quickly eng starts. 1991 Hunter probably the switch should be replaced? Best place to order one?
forums.sailboatowners.com

See #12.
 
capta

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
4,907
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
If you pick up a remote starting tool from any auto parts store, you can easily diagnose whether it is the solenoid or wiring harness. However, if it worked fine when it went into the yard, I'd bet dollars to donuts that is a ground issue. Carefully check and clean all cabling to the starter and engine. Put some effort into trying to pull the cables from their lugs as well. Almost every diesel has at least one ground lead attached to the engine directly under a water pump, which is where your problem may lie.
 
S

SailMaster

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Mar 31, 2012
139
Nord Cantieri 38 St Marys
All connections were good. I ordered a new starter and solenoid. It was 864 for the Hitachi S-12 unit. Which was about twice the size of the original but fit just fine. She started the engine with only half a turn on the key. Super successful out come. Although the price for an aftermarket starter was an absolute ripoff. Will be talking to the owner of that store in Newport RI
 
jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
SailMaster said:
All connections were good. I ordered a new starter and solenoid. It was 864 for the Hitachi S-12 unit. Which was about twice the size of the original but fit just fine. She started the engine with only half a turn on the key. Super successful out come. Although the price for an aftermarket starter was an absolute ripoff. Will be talking to the owner of that store in Newport RI
Click to expand
If you google Hitachi S-12 starter you'll find lots for under $200. Where did you buy yours, and who's price are you upset about, what you paid or the 1700 the parts house wanted?
 
S

SailMaster

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Mar 31, 2012
139
Nord Cantieri 38 St Marys
No I paid 864 including shipping to Oldport Marine in Newport RI. The agent‘s name is Mark. The issue is that this was represented as a Yanmar product. And the Yanmar part number is displayed on the invoice. So I am 99 percent certain that I have them on fraud. I will still need to talk to my Attorney.
 
jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
SailMaster said:
No I paid 864 including shipping to Oldport Marine in Newport RI. The agent‘s name is Mark. The issue is that this was represented as a Yanmar product. And the Yanmar part number is displayed on the invoice. So I am 99 percent certain that I have them on fraud. I will still need to talk to my Attorney.
Click to expand
You might contact the seller before your attorney, but, if they misrepresented it, yes, that's a problem. Yanmar might want to know, and Oldport could lose their franchise with them.
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,761
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
This is a known issue with Yanmars. The white wire that connects the start switch with the solenoid is undersized. Over time the resistance in the wire increases and there is not enough energy to close the solenoid and allow the starter to engage. There are several solutions, the easiest one is to run a larger gauge wire, I used 10 ga, from the start switch to the solenoid. Other solutions involve using relays.

A weak start battery will also cause this symptom. How old is the battery? How well is it charged?

The Hitachi starters use brushes, if they are worn the starter will not engage or have sufficient power to turn the engine over.

From least expensive to most, try the following:

  1. Inspect the connections to the starter. and starting battery to make sure they are clean and tight.
  2. Check the charge level of the battery. If the battery is more than about 5 years old, it probably needs to be replaced.
  3. Change the solenoid wire.
  4. Pull the starter and take it to a automotive alternator shop and for inspection and rebuild.
  5. Replace the starter.
 
jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
dlochner said:
Replace the starter.
Click to expand
He's already done that. But the other steps make sense too, even now. Also, might replace the brushes in the original starter - I'd turn the commutator and cut back the mica, too. Or, if no lathe is available, just clean up the commutator with an abrasive cloth, not emery! - which contains iron, i.e., conductive particles.
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,761
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
jviss said:
He's already done that. But the other steps make sense too, even now. Also, might replace the brushes in the original starter - I'd turn the commutator and cut back the mica, too. Or, if no lathe is available, just clean up the commutator with an abrasive cloth, not emery! - which contains iron, i.e., conductive particles.
Click to expand
As I read it, he only priced a new starter and was looking for alternatives before buying.

And he really needs to find a parts supplier. $1700 for a new starter is way over priced, unless it is platinum plated.
 
S

SailMaster

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Mar 31, 2012
139
Nord Cantieri 38 St Marys
I have a really good starter / alternator shop in Jacksonville to use. I will have them do the rebuilt and repair and then keep it on the shelf waiting
 
jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
dlochner said:
As I read it, he only priced a new starter and was looking for alternatives before buying.

And he really needs to find a parts supplier. $1700 for a new starter is way over priced, unless it is platinum plated.
Click to expand
See posts #7 and #9.
 
Ralph Johnstone

Ralph Johnstone

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Jan 4, 2006
7,192
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
SailMaster said:
The issue is that this was represented as a Yanmar product. And the Yanmar part number is displayed on the invoice. So I am 99 percent certain that I have them on fraud. I will still need to talk to my Attorney.
Click to expand
I'm lost here. All Yanmar starters and alternators are manufactured by Hitachi. Yanmar makes engines, not alternators and not starters. Look around on your alternator and you'll find the word Hitachi in small letters. I don't see what the problem is.
 
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NYSail

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,136
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
I had same engine and same issue on last boat that all of a sudden appeared. very common. Too bad you didn’t try to jump starter to see if it was the harness. In my case it was and a simple relay from an auto parts store for under $50 solved the issue. Inadequate wires in the harness.

greg
 
jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
NYSail said:
I had same engine and same issue on last boat that all of a sudden appeared. very common. Too bad you didn’t try to jump starter to see if it was the harness. In my case it was and a simple relay from an auto parts store for under $50 solved the issue. Inadequate wires in the harness.

greg
Click to expand
Well, in his case he changed out the starter and that solved the problem, so apparently not a wiring problem (see post #7). Maybe a poor connection at the starter terminals, but otherwise, looks like the starter.

When that happened to me I had the removed starter rebuilt, and carry it as a spare.
 
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