Engine makes clicking sound and won't start

[chips]

Need advise please.

When I start my diesel engine first time (Yanmar 2gm20) i get a clicking sound and engine won't turn over, if I try again engine just turns over and starts, mostly !
Battery always has more than 12.5 volts some times its up to 13.8 volts.
I suspect starter solenoid, will it get worse, what to do next ?

[bail-me-out]

Solenoid or starter. Change asasp unless you find a loose wire during your checks they don't ever get better.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by chips

Need advise please.

When I start my diesel engine first time (Yanmar 2gm20) i get a clicking sound and engine won't turn over, if I try again engine just turns over and starts, mostly !
Battery always has more than 12.5 volts some times its up to 13.8 volts.
I suspect starter solenoid, will it get worse, what to do next ?

Check all connections to starter, including earth and if problem persists then remove starter and visit a local auto electrician. Hopefully they will not lighten your pocket too much.

[Bleemus]

I will bet solenoid is fine. Take all the small wires off it and clean up the connections. Then check those same small wires connections at the ignition switch.

There, I just saved you $500.

[Pete17C]

'mostly'

could be a marginal start battery, sometimes they can turn better after a a little hit, as things in the motor have loosened up

does the starter motor turn STRONG ? or kinda wimper? when it finally kicks over?

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by Bleemus

I will bet solenoid is fine. Take all the small wires off it and clean up the connections. Then check those same small wires connections at the ignition switch.

There, I just saved you $500.

Good advice. Always begin with the easy stuff, particularly if you are like many people who never remove, clean and tighten every connection in the start circuit.

[NYSail]

Check your connections especially ground. And not just for tightness. Take them apart and clean. Make sure washers are in correct places. Start simple. Also try a load test on you battery..... see where voltage goes when stressed.

Greg

[senormechanico]

We had a 3HM35f on our previous boat which exhibited a similar problem.
It turned out to be a poor contact (easily cleaned) in a multi pin connector where the engine wiring harness connected to the boat's wiring harness.
We found out after I fixed it that it was a common problem with several models of Yanmar engines.

[NYSail]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

We had a 3HM35f on our previous boat which exhibited a similar problem.
It turned out to be a poor contact (easily cleaned) in a multi pin connector where the engine wiring harness connected to the boat's wiring harness.
We found out after I fixed it that it was a common problem with several models of Yanmar engines.

100% on the money with this as well..... yanmar harnesses are notorious for eventual failure due to undersized wiring. I also had the 3HM35f on my last boat and had added a solenoid to the starting circuit. Some just run a new wire. After I did this motor started first press every time. At first worked perfect then all of a sudden started giving symptoms like you are having.

Greg

[galynd]

I had the same problem a few years ago. After asking for advice, as you have, I replaced my wires to and from starter button with size 10. Problem solved.