Starter Gremlins

The other day I was out to set crab pots and did so. Shut down the engine, sailed around for about an hour and a half and then went to start my engine so that I could pick up the pots. NOTHING. Not even a click. I dropped anchor and tried to get it going for two hours with no luck. It is a sailboat so I sailed home (was lucky with the wind in Puget Sound this time of year) and made arrangements for a friend to pick up my pots to avoid trouble / fines from the fish cops. The next day we went down to see about repairs and what do you know, it starts right up. Any thoughts on how one day there is not even a click and the next it is like new. I have started it a couple times since then and it still works fine but I get really obsessed when I know something is not working on the boat. Is this a sign of a solenoid that is going? Bad ignition switch? The problem with testing with my multimeter now is that it all works so all will look good. Any of you had this type of probelm? What would you do? It is original MD11A Volvo. Also: For the first time I used the hand crank that came with the boat to start it with no batteries. It works great so I am not overly concerned about getting stuck again. I did not have the crank with me on my unlucky day but will keep it with me from now on. I never used it before and am now amazed at how easy it is. Thanks Chris Cal 31 Poulsbo, WA

This is a very common problem with older marine engine installations. What works on a car will not work on a boat. That's due to the constant vibration, and particularly the omnipresent humidity. We always suggest the battery ground wire be attached directly to a starter mounting bolt. This eliminates the unreliable starter / engine block ground contact that works fine in a car, but works poorly in a boat. You should additionally remove and inspect every battery cable connection, to be sure the metal is shiny, and the connection is tight. *Joe DeMers - owner* Sound Marine Diesel LLC SoundMarineDiesel.com <http://www.soundmarinediesel.com/> *phone & fax (860) 666-2184* On 7/12/2013 9:43 AM, Some guy wrote: > The other day I was out to set crab pots and did so. Shut down the engine, sailed around for about an hour and a half and then went to start my engine so that I could pick up the pots. NOTHING. Not even a click. > > I dropped anchor and tried to get it going for two hours with no luck. > > It is a sailboat so I sailed home (was lucky with the wind in Puget Sound this time of year) and made arrangements for a friend to pick up my pots to avoid trouble / fines from the fish cops. > > The next day we went down to see about repairs and what do you know, it starts right up. > > Any thoughts on how one day there is not even a click and the next it is like new. I have started it a couple times since then and it still works fine but I get really obsessed when I know something is not working on the boat. > > Is this a sign of a solenoid that is going? Bad ignition switch? The problem with testing with my multimeter now is that it all works so all will look good. > > Any of you had this type of probelm? What would you do? It is original MD11A Volvo. > > Also: For the first time I used the hand crank that came with the boat to start it with no batteries. It works great so I am not overly concerned about getting stuck again. I did not have the crank with me on my unlucky day but will keep it with me from now on. I never used it before and am now amazed at how easy it is. > Thanks > > Chris > Cal 31 > Poulsbo, WA > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2013.0.3349 / Virus Database: 3204/6485 - Release Date: 07/12/13 > > -- *Joe DeMers - owner* Sound Marine Diesel LLC SoundMarineDiesel.com <http://www.soundmarinediesel.com/> *phone & fax (860) 666-2184*

I would run the engine in the slip in gear and get it hot before I changed anything. Then shut it down and see if it starts. If it doesn't, use your multimeter to see where the voltage drop is and that will tell you where the problem is. Otherwise, do what Joe suggested and get a cheap multimeter you can leave on the boat in case it happens again. I have found that analog ones last longer than digital ones on my boat. Allen On Fri, Jul 12, 2013 at 6:43 AM, Some guy <sc… [at] yahoo.com> wrote: > ** > > > The other day I was out to set crab pots and did so. Shut down the engine, > sailed around for about an hour and a half and then went to start my engine > so that I could pick up the pots. NOTHING. Not even a click. > > I dropped anchor and tried to get it going for two hours with no luck. > > It is a sailboat so I sailed home (was lucky with the wind in Puget Sound > this time of year) and made arrangements for a friend to pick up my pots to > avoid trouble / fines from the fish cops. > > The next day we went down to see about repairs and what do you know, it > starts right up. > > Any thoughts on how one day there is not even a click and the next it is > like new. I have started it a couple times since then and it still works > fine but I get really obsessed when I know something is not working on the > boat. > > Is this a sign of a solenoid that is going? Bad ignition switch? The > problem with testing with my multimeter now is that it all works so all > will look good. > > Any of you had this type of probelm? What would you do? It is original > MD11A Volvo. > > Also: For the first time I used the hand crank that came with the boat to > start it with no batteries. It works great so I am not overly concerned > about getting stuck again. I did not have the crank with me on my unlucky > day but will keep it with me from now on. I never used it before and am now > amazed at how easy it is. > Thanks > > Chris > Cal 31 > Poulsbo, WA > > >