The past three times I went to sail my engine wouldn't start when it was time to head for the dock. When I try to start it, nothing happens. The engine won't crank or anything else. However, when I get back to the dock (after being towed) the engine starts without being connected to shore power. While at the dock, I've run the engine to its normal temperature, turned it off and kept the electrical systems on for awhile and it would start. I'm at a loss right now. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I had the same problem. Next time the starter motor does not engage locate the starter motoer on the port side of your engine, give the starter two or three taps with a wrench or some other tool then try to start the motor again. If it starts that means your starter solenoid is on it's way out.
The motor probably started after the tow because the boat rocked a few times or some other motion disturbed the starter during the tow.
The solenoid on our boats are built into the starter so the whole unit has to be repaired or replaced. I don't know how old you C36 is but, mine was twenty years old when I had to replace the starter because parts were no longer available.
A new starter/solenoid from Universal is about $1,400. However, Torrenson Marine.com has after market version of the same starter/solenoid available for a little over $400.
__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050
If you can't get into Torrensen's web site, their phone number is 231-759-8596. Sorrensen's after market starter/solenoid part number is 17053.
__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050
Connections, connections, connections. Check the main engine ground wire first. A few other hints are in our C34 Critical Upgrades topic, here:
[url]http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5078.0.html[/url]
See Reply #24 on page 2
Good luck.
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
Stu and Mike,
Thank you for your advice. I will start with the easiest and cheapest first (connections) and if the problem persists I will replace the starter.
Thanks for all of your support.
Ken
Don't buy a starter until it dosen't start then try what I said about tapping the starter motor. If it starts then it is proably the solenoid. But first check all the connections like Stu said.
__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050
Mike-I am going to try and replicate my past experiences (take the boat out but bring it back under power and shut it off when I get back to the slip) to get it to hopefully not work while in the slip. I can then do some more troubleshooting. I won't buy a starter until everything else has been ruled out. I checked the website and starters were over $1k. I found a starter on amazon for $88.00. At that price it really worries me if it is a good starter. [url]http://www.amazon.com/Exide-Orbital-ORB34M-36-Maintenance-Free-Battery/d...
That was not the correct link to the starter. I google a universal m35 starter and found one on amazon
[QUOTE=goodwinds;13360]When I try to start it, [B][I][SIZE="6"][COLOR="Red"]nothing happens[/COLOR][/SIZE][/I][/B]. The engine won't crank or anything else. [/QUOTE]
Hope you didn't skip over Reply #15 on page 2.
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
Stu-I'm going to check the fuses as well (when I check the wiring and connections). The link you sent me has a wealth of information and I appreciate you pointing me in the right direction.
Thanks,
Ken
I recently had the same problem. I was using the start battery to start the engine. I had my sailmate place the battery switch to "all" and it started up righaway. I found the problem was a loose connection to the newly installed battery lug. I had recentley replaced the start battery - now I believe that there was nothing wrong with the previous battery - it would not crank well. That may have been due to loose connections aswell. The confusing thing was that all the gauges indicated nearly 14VDC battery voltage. When I cranked - the voltage would drop to zero. Live and learn...
Haro Bayandorian, 1999 C36 MKII, Sail La Vie #1787, M35B,
Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA.
FWIW:
I replaced my starter for the M25XP with a model from our local Kubota dealer.
WAY cheaper than a model labelled "marine".
Laura Olsen
Past Commodore
S/V Miramar
hull 938 (MKI 1989, TR,WK, M25xp)
Edgemere, MD