Return to the home page...

Go Back   Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Community - Home of the Afourians > Discussion Topics > Electrical

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   IP: 68.5.205.205
Old 07-08-2020, 12:16 PM
SGI SGI is offline
Frequent Contributor
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 5
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Starter or ?...

Hello,
I am new to this forum. I have a 1978 Catalina 27.
I recently had a tune up completed - impeller, spark plugs, fuel filter, oil filter, and oil changed. Right after that, the Atomic 4 started right up. A couple of months forward, I tried to start it up, but now get spotty turn over, meaning starts right up and the next try will only get click click. I'm connected to shore power with battery tenders connected to the batteries. And the batteries are fairly new (2 years old Interstates).
Is it time for a new starter (or rebuilt one) or could it be the starter solenoid, or even the alternator.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Reply With Quote
  #2   IP: 24.53.89.131
Old 07-09-2020, 06:24 AM
Peter's Avatar
Peter Peter is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 297
Thanks: 162
Thanked 140 Times in 101 Posts
SGI,

Rather than assuming that the batteries are ok, you might consider making some voltage measurements to verify that. You just need a low cost multimeter which you will find a myriad of uses for down the road.

I would check the voltage across the battery terminals

1) with no load.
2) Then when you try to start the engine

Finally, check the voltage at the starter when you try to start.

If you see too large a voltage drop at the batteries when cranking, battery issue.

If you see a big difference between battery voltage measurement and starter voltage measurement, bad/poor connection to starter.

If all these voltages are fine, then look at starter.

Hope that helps,

Peter
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Peter For This Useful Post:
Ando (08-02-2020), Surcouf (07-09-2020)
  #3   IP: 100.36.65.17
Old 07-09-2020, 01:05 PM
edwardc's Avatar
edwardc edwardc is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Laurel, MD
Posts: 2,509
Thanks: 153
Thanked 595 Times in 388 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by SGI View Post
Hello,
I am new to this forum. ...
Welcome! This is the best place on the Web for all things A4!

Quote:
Originally Posted by SGI View Post
... the next try will only get click click. ...
In addition to the other possibilities already mentioned, this behavior could also be caused by a bad spot on the commutator in the starter motor, due to either worn contacts or worn brushes. Temperature change or vibration can make this kind of problem come and go.

I would go ahead and eliminate battery charge and corroded connections as the culprit first, as those things are easier to check.
__________________
@(^.^)@ Ed
1977 Pearson P-323 "Dolce Vita"
with rebuilt Atomic-4

Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to edwardc For This Useful Post:
Ando (08-02-2020)
  #4   IP: 68.5.205.205
Old 07-09-2020, 02:45 PM
SGI SGI is offline
Frequent Contributor
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 5
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
checking voltage

I'm going to take my voltage meter and check the aforementioned items. I am guilty of relying on the volt meter gauges on the vessel. Both showed good volts, but after reading another post, some gauges my not post accurate readings. And will double check all the connections. I checked the batteries and they are good and tight.

Much appreciated.
Reply With Quote
  #5   IP: 68.5.205.205
Old 08-01-2020, 12:36 PM
SGI SGI is offline
Frequent Contributor
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 5
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
These were the readings prior to and after testing the batteries (off shore power of course). I checked the batteries and they read 13.1 and 12.7 respectively. Thank you, Peter. My arm and volt meter leads aren't long enough to check the voltage while trying to start the engine. Have to take my wife down there for that.

As of now, I'm leaning toward Edward's comment about the worn brushes. I've since started the engine after multiple attempts.

Onward and upward... solution will be solved.

By the way: I run at 180-200 degree F with RWC pretty consistently, load or no load. Engine temperature poll mentioned RWC is usually cooler 140-160 degree F. Albeit, that is another future endeavor.
Attached Images
  
Reply With Quote
  #6   IP: 199.87.181.93
Old 08-01-2020, 05:10 PM
zellerj zellerj is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 304
Thanks: 5
Thanked 115 Times in 69 Posts
There are only a few wiring connections that you need to have so clean they shine. If yours shine, then wiggle them and make sure the terminal is held tightly to the wire. If they shine and are tight, then I would dig into the starter and solenoid.

WRT running hot, my 1982 model ran at 200 F for 15 years, then I finally took off the side plate (easy to do with the starter and alternator off) and found the cooling area surrounding the cylinder walls all full of detritus. Using a dentist pick and other tools, got it all clean and to my surprise, the running temp dropped to 140 F.

Go easy taking off the side plate, because the bolts tend to snap off. Best to use back and forth motion with the wrench and make a little progress with each swing.

Best
Jim
__________________
Jim Zeller
1982 Catalina 30
Kelleys Island, Ohio

Last edited by zellerj; 08-01-2020 at 05:18 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7   IP: 24.152.132.140
Old 08-01-2020, 05:18 PM
ndutton's Avatar
ndutton ndutton is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 9,619
Thanks: 198
Thanked 2,208 Times in 1,425 Posts
Another possibility

Could be the keyswitch too, it's a known problem when exposed to the elements. Before I got rid of mine for exactly this reason I replaced it bi-annually on principle alone.
__________________
Neil
1977 Catalina 30
San Pedro, California
prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
Had my hands in a few others

Last edited by ndutton; 08-01-2020 at 11:57 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to ndutton For This Useful Post:
Ando (08-02-2020)
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
I only hear this starter turning. ****\/%=÷×+HELP! HELP! HELP!+×÷=%/\**** Naileyou Troubleshooting 6 07-11-2020 03:24 PM
Starter Barely Engages with Flywheel skhorleb Ignition System 15 02-04-2012 02:25 AM
Possible starter ring problem? skhorleb General Maintenance 2 06-05-2010 12:12 AM
Dead starter motor? SimonP Troubleshooting 11 10-22-2007 01:18 AM
Will fire only with starter engaged vwalker Troubleshooting 1 08-10-2007 05:02 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:14 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.


Universal® is a registered trademark of Westerbeke Corporation

Copyright © 2004-2024 Moyer Marine Inc.

All Rights Reserved