Turn key, push buttons, and nothing

[zboss]

Folks,

Our engine has recently started to not want to start.

Occasionally, and not regularly or in series, I'll turn the key and the warning buzzer goes off like normal. I have to hold down the glow plug button for a few seconds and then simultaneously hit the start button.

Recently, and sometimes, nothing happens. No sound - silence.

If I turn the key off and on a few times and try to repeat the process it may or may not do the same thing a few time but eventually, when I hit that start button it just clicks on like normal. Maybe the engine starts right off and maybe it does not. If the engine turns over it will do so until I can get the engine started.

So.... start solenoid, wiring, or something else?

[dohenyboy]

Let me guess, its a Yanmar? If so its a common problem and several threads on that issue already.
Otherwise just have to get out your multimeter and troubleshoot step by step.


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[zboss]

Old Westerbeke.

[skipmac]

When you try to start the engine and it does not turn over do you hear a click, the starter solenoid engaging? If yes then it could be a bad/loose/corroded battery connection to the starter OR the starter.

If no, then it could be a bad ignition switch, bad/loose/corroded connection between the ignition switch and the solenoid OR a bad solenoid.

These would be the most likely sources of the problem.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by zboss

Folks,

Our engine has recently started to not want to start.

Occasionally, and not regularly or in series, I'll turn the key and the warning buzzer goes off like normal. I have to hold down the glow plug button for a few seconds and then simultaneously hit the start button.

Recently, and sometimes, nothing happens. No sound - silence.

If I turn the key off and on a few times and try to repeat the process it may or may not do the same thing a few time but eventually, when I hit that start button it just clicks on like normal. Maybe the engine starts right off and maybe it does not. If the engine turns over it will do so until I can get the engine started.

So.... start solenoid, wiring, or something else?

Have you looked at the solenoid contacts on the starter motor ?
That would be my first bet.

[captainbri]

On the solenoid where the nattery cable attaches to the post take the cable off and loosen the nut holding the solenoid. Leavw nut on push the post in and turn it 180 then pull back out tighten nut attach cable. The contact side of the post might be worn out

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[Boatyarddog]

Gremlins, I'd bet on it.


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[JPA Cate]

If it clicks, it's still activating the solenoid.

If not, check all the connections.

A.

[sailorboy1]

Almost a certain to be the start button. And just as important as it not making contact to start your engine is it sticking afterwards and burning up your starter.

Been there done that!

[Kalinka1]

I had a Westerbeke did the same thing and it was the start button I replaced it a couple of times. not expensive available at any Automotive shop.

[Dauntlessny]

Originally Posted by zboss

Old Westerbeke.

My Westerbeke generator does exactly the same thing for more than a year now.

I flick the start (glow plug, etc) many times, holding down the start (only the starter motor) at the same time. It eventually wakes up. some times after a few flicks, sometimes on the first and at worst, maybe 30 seconds of flicking.

[Dauntlessny]

Originally Posted by Kalinka1

I had a Westerbeke did the same thing and it was the start button I replaced it a couple of times. not expensive available at any Automotive shop.

Yes, I figured that too, but it's not so bad and since it's not my propulsion engine, I can be more lackadaisical about it.

[warrior 90]

Short the solonoid
If the engine starts You know the answer
If not check for bad connection

[Cheechako]

Boy... a rash of this lately.
Bypass the starting electrical by jumping the solenoid. If it turns, starter is fine.
Check cable connections well... good time to clean the ends.. especially where the neg cable bolts to the block.
Check any junctions on multiwire cables (sometimes these are plastic multi pin junctions) look at the pins inside.. may be corroded.
Is there an engine fuse? May be in the engine wiring somewhere.
Issues at the panel;? Including a bad key switch or push switch (this does happen) Jumper the switch to test. etc.

[Bill_E]

Am I missing something? If you turn on the key do you get silence? In other words, turn on key, no alarms from low oil pressure?? If that is the case...I would suspect that the key switch is intermittent. Probably corroded. Or, maybe the wiring to the key switch is corroded and you are just shaking things around enough to make contact.