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20-01-2015, 13:45
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Toronto
Boat: Viking 44
Posts: 183
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Generator Starter Problem
I have a Koeler genny and it hasn't been used in several months after storage. It will not start, just a clicking sounnd.. Someone mentioned it could just need a tap with a hammer to jolt it loose. Can anyone tell me where the starter would be, I don't have a manual.
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20-01-2015, 14:33
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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re: Generator Starter Problem
I don't know where it is, but it will be at the end of the big 12V wire.
Most likely a loose ground though
Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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20-01-2015, 15:01
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: ontario canada
Boat: grampian 26
Posts: 1,743
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re: Generator Starter Problem
After sitting for any length of time the electrical connections may have corroded. Short of doing a voltage drop test you should clean the connections relating to the starting circuit.
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20-01-2015, 15:10
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Winnipeg
Boat: None at this time
Posts: 8,462
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re: Generator Starter Problem
Or maybe charge the battery? Do you know where that is?
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20-01-2015, 15:18
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Boat: '76 Allied Seawind II, 32'
Posts: 9,626
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re: Generator Starter Problem
the starter is on the side of the engine under the heat exchanger........but a tap with a hammer around live electrical terminals that you cant see isn't a great idea.
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20-01-2015, 15:30
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: canada
Posts: 4,633
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re: Generator Starter Problem
if it's been sitting for months I would check the gen battery voltage at battery and at starter.
many boats don't have chargers on the gen battery.
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20-01-2015, 15:38
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#7
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Sponsoring Vendor
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hollywood, Fl.
Boat: FP Athena 38' Poerava
Posts: 3,984
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re: Generator Starter Problem
Does the clicking sound only happen once when you hit the starter or does it rapidly click?
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20-01-2015, 16:07
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Boat: JBW club 420, MFG Bandit, Snark
Posts: 871
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re: Generator Starter Problem
The picture is a bit fuzzy on my phone but I don't see it on the side you're showing us, so you need to look on the other side.
The hammer thing might work, I've used it in the past, but a healthy starting system should not require a hammer. Have the actual problem diagnosed and repaired accordingly.
Sent from my XT1080 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app
__________________
I love big boats and I can not lie.
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20-01-2015, 16:15
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#9
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Key West & Sarasota
Boat: Cal 28 "Happy Days"
Posts: 4,210
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re: Generator Starter Problem
Tapping a starter with a hammer is like filing breaker points... not much need for either in modern engines
__________________
Any fool with a big enough checkbook can BUY a boat; it takes a SPECIAL type of fool to build his own! -Capngeo
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20-01-2015, 16:38
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Toronto
Boat: Viking 44
Posts: 183
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re: Generator Starter Problem
The battery was charged and yes the clicking sound was fast. The contacts are clean that is why I thought since it hasn't been used much in the last several months it may need a wake up call.
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20-01-2015, 16:43
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#11
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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re: Generator Starter Problem
Fast clicking usually means either a dead battery or loose / dirty connections.
Respectfully if you don't know how to find the starter, maybe you shouldn't hit it with a hammer.
The impact adjustment helps if there is a bad spot on the armature, or maybe a stuck brush, but I'm still betting a loose or corroded connection as you said the battery is charged
Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum
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20-01-2015, 16:52
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Toronto
Boat: Viking 44
Posts: 183
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re: Generator Starter Problem
Will go over connections once again.
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20-01-2015, 17:47
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#13
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX/Bocas del Toro, Panama
Boat: 1990 Macintosh 47, "Merlin"
Posts: 2,844
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re: Generator Starter Problem
If yours is like our Kohler, it has several "kill switches" for oil pressure, temperature, etc. This can get disconnected. Just a wire. for each of them.
Also, make sure the fuel solenoid is working correctly. In a marine environment, they tend to stick. As I recall, on ours, if it's not open, it won't even crank, but I'm not sure.
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23-01-2015, 21:08
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#14
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Oregon to Alaska
Boat: Wheeler Shipyard 83' ex USCG
Posts: 3,494
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re: Generator Starter Problem
The clicking is from the starter solenoid trying to engage the high amp contacts but isn't getting enough power to fully engage. It could be anything from in the path from the battery to the starter and back thru the ground. It's most likely a corroded connection. Also check the ground connections. It could be a bad solenoid, bad battery or cables. I have opened up marine cables and found green corrosion several feet from the connection. There is a way to bypass the solenoid, but after reading the hammer stuff, I think you should leave the hammer to a mechanic.
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23-01-2015, 21:13
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1
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re: Generator Starter Problem
Quote:
Originally Posted by edbulmer
I have a Koeler genny and it hasn't been used in several months after storage. It will not start, just a clicking sounnd.. Someone mentioned it could just need a tap with a hammer to jolt it loose. Can anyone tell me where the starter would be, I don't have a manual.
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Follow the positive battery cable from the battery to the genney. It should hook up to the starter motor.
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