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Old 01-05-2014, 06:51   #1
Cap
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Engine Won't Turn Over

Hi All,

I did a search on this, but didn't find anything. So here's the problem. I have a 13hp diesel engine that won't turn over since a red wire on the back of the alternator was shorted out. When I turn the key over, I get nothing. I've looked for fuses, but can't seem to find anything related. I don't have any wiring schematics for this boat, it's a 1984 Witness Catamaran.

Any suggestions on how to track down this issue?

Thanks...Jeff
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Old 01-05-2014, 07:09   #2
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Re: Engine Won't Turn Over

The first place I would look is battery condition. Do you have a solid 12 volts and are you sure there are no dead cells? From there, the ignition wiring for something loose or broken. Sometimes battery cables have fuseable links built in. Getting deeper, you might check the ignition barrel for bad internal contacts. My Catalina 36 was originally wired so that all of the starting amperage went through the key switch...needless to say, those did not last very long. Finally, provided you have a starter solenoid, you could swap another in to see if that is the issue.

Just a few places to look.
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Old 01-05-2014, 07:27   #3
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Re: Engine Won't Turn Over

All this assumes you have starter battery power to the starter and engine panel.

if you jump across the starter does the engine turn over (if you don't know what this means you probably shouldn't try it)

My engine panel has breaker for the start circuit, check yours.
Do you have a solenoid in the start circuit?
There probably is a fuse etc somewhere in the starter solenoid circuit.
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Old 01-05-2014, 07:32   #4
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Re: Engine Won't Turn Over

Look for what is called a fuseable link, it's a sacrificial part of the wire itself.
Google would probably give you a decent picture and or description.
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Old 01-05-2014, 07:45   #5
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Re: Engine Won't Turn Over

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cap View Post
Hi All,

I have a 13hp diesel engine that won't turn over since a red wire on the back of the alternator was shorted out. When I turn the key over, I get nothing...............

Any suggestions on how to track down this issue?

Thanks...Jeff
I'm surprised you didn't burn up the whole system.
First what year and brand of motor is this?
How long was the wire shorted?
Are there any circuit boards in the system?
Have you tried bypassing the system as sailorboy1 suggested to see if the starter even works?

The more information you give us, the better we can analyze the problem.
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Old 01-05-2014, 08:47   #6
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Re: Engine Won't Turn Over

The boat does not matter. What engine is it? If a yanmar some have a fuse hidden under tape in the wiring harness.
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Old 01-05-2014, 13:52   #7
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Re: Engine Won't Turn Over

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll start by verifying cells, but I have two engines, and the other one does turn over. I know that doesn't mean I don't have a battery issue. You given me a great starting point.

Thanks again....Jeff
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Old 01-05-2014, 18:22   #8
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Re: Engine Won't Turn Over

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Originally Posted by Cap View Post
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll start by verifying cells, but I have two engines, and the other one does turn over. I know that doesn't mean I don't have a battery issue. You given me a great starting point.

Thanks again....Jeff
Keep us informed as you dig into it. Each discovery you find let us know so we can help you find another.
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Old 02-05-2014, 03:17   #9
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Re: Engine Won't Turn Over

I will follow all your suggestions the next time I go down to the boat. I'll jump across the starter to see if the engine will crank over, then start looking for a fusible link and go from there.

The engines are 1984 Nannie diesels, which l've been told are just marinized Kubotas. I have not been able to verify that, so if anyone knows, I would appreciate the information.

I don't know how long the wire was shorted, and there are no circuit boards in the system. It was a wire that had been hanging loose and got pushed against a grounding point. I didn't know where it came from until this happened and I started investigating the problem. The nice thing about having tw engines is looking at one to verify the other; that's how I found where it belonged.

Thanks again...Jeff
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