While docked at the Kettle Creek Marina in Port Stanley Ontario, we were comfortably watching a video when the engine (Yanmar 4JH3) started on its own. I jumped into the cockpit to see what was going on. The key was below and in the off position. The engine would not turn off by engaging the stop button. I found that the starter would not disengage and the engine stopped once the starter was fried. (Hindsight would have me cut the power from the battery) This is what I found using volt meter: 1) The start button works fine. 2) The relay before the solenoid/starter would not disengage. I believe that the problem was the relay. After replacing the relay and starter, everything now works fine. Nothing else has changed. Has anyone ever heard of a relay engaging spontaneously? (The local started/alternator shop has never heard of that happening.) They bench tested the relay and now it works fine??? I don't seem to have stray 12v current in line that would trigger relay. Any thoughts?? Bryce Custer s/v High Heel
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Yup
Happened on a semi I once owned. I was asleep in the bunk when the darn thing started cranking. Turned out to be a hot wire that shorted to solenoid and caused it to engage. I guess it was lucky that it stayed shorted and not an intermittent problem.
Happened on a semi I once owned. I was asleep in the bunk when the darn thing started cranking. Turned out to be a hot wire that shorted to solenoid and caused it to engage. I guess it was lucky that it stayed shorted and not an intermittent problem.
Possible?
Having just last week removed/rebuilt/replaced the starter from my 3HM35F (very similar to 3GM30F), I found the two poles very close together. It wouldn't take much for them to arc and start the engine. The rubber "boots" don't fit too good on mine and the thought has crossed my mind quite frequently.
Having just last week removed/rebuilt/replaced the starter from my 3HM35F (very similar to 3GM30F), I found the two poles very close together. It wouldn't take much for them to arc and start the engine. The rubber "boots" don't fit too good on mine and the thought has crossed my mind quite frequently.
Thanks Paul
That was the first thing I looked for. I guess that it is common for the cable/wire on the solenoid to arc if when you tighten they touch. Also looked at same thing on relay, not close either. I just hope this never happens again. I have two battery switches on my Hunter 410. From now on, I will keep the starter battery switched off until I need it to start.
That was the first thing I looked for. I guess that it is common for the cable/wire on the solenoid to arc if when you tighten they touch. Also looked at same thing on relay, not close either. I just hope this never happens again. I have two battery switches on my Hunter 410. From now on, I will keep the starter battery switched off until I need it to start.
Keep your connections tight.
A loose connction can spark and create an arc with a terminal in proximity. Thanks for sharing your experience as it is a lesson for all of us.
A loose connction can spark and create an arc with a terminal in proximity. Thanks for sharing your experience as it is a lesson for all of us.
Starter Solenoid
I had this same problem with a 2GM20. Out of the blue any time the battery was turned on the engine would start and the starter would not disengage. After looking into it I found the battery wire on the starter had loosened enough to turn and touch the solenoid positive, starting the engine. Sail On... Terry
I had this same problem with a 2GM20. Out of the blue any time the battery was turned on the engine would start and the starter would not disengage. After looking into it I found the battery wire on the starter had loosened enough to turn and touch the solenoid positive, starting the engine. Sail On... Terry
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