# Starter issues

**URL:** <https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/starter-issues/6140>\
**Category:** Newsgroups Archive Prior to 2025\
**Created:** [June 27, 2016, 3:03pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/starter-issues/6140 "2016-06-27T15:03:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 11\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Allen\_Perrins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Allen\_Perrins](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Allen_Perrins)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2016, 3:03pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/starter-issues/6140/1 "2016-06-27T15:03:55Z")

</div>

Hi

Why are you holding preheat and starter at the same time?

Al  
Barbcat NS30C #170

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/n26_115_233/original/1X/39e3f8ffb93f4278d654ae38d831066e407d616b.jpeg) [@system](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2016, 3:24pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/starter-issues/6140/2 "2016-06-27T15:24:56Z")

</div>

Probably because most Nonsuches are wired this way

Cedric – Single Malt 26C 207  
Chester NS

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/n26_115_233/original/1X/39e3f8ffb93f4278d654ae38d831066e407d616b.jpeg) [@system](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/starter-issues/6140/3 "2016-06-27T18:39:42Z")

</div>

Allen: I believe that the engine panel for a W-27 came wired that way. I changed mine so that they are independent of one another.

Joe Valinoti  
S/V IL Gatto NS30U #221  
Sea Harbour YC  
Oriental, NC USA

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (\_ ~ (\_ ~ (\_~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (\_ ~ (\_ ~ (\_~ ~ ~ ~ ~

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BOB\_JENKINS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@BOB\_JENKINS](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/BOB_JENKINS)\
**Post date:** [June 28, 2016, 4:28am UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/starter-issues/6140/4 "2016-06-28T04:28:41Z")

</div>

My W 27 requires the two buttons pressed simultaneously to complete the starting electrical circuit . The preheat is pressed singly and prior .  
I cleaned today all the grounding terminals with no improvement . However every time the engine starts after this hesitation .  
Bob Jenkins  
Good News 30 U #323  
Penetang , ON .

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![user21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/6bbea6/32.png) [@user21](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/user21)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 4:07am UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/starter-issues/6140/5 "2016-06-29T04:07:41Z")

</div>

Hello Bob,

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/n26_115_233/original/1X/39e3f8ffb93f4278d654ae38d831066e407d616b.jpeg) [@system](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 12:52pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/starter-issues/6140/6 "2016-06-29T12:52:57Z")

</div>

Just to clarify - an engine that does not start is turning over but not starting/running. An engine that doesn’t crank is one where the starter motor, for whatever reason, is not turning it over. There are distinct sounds and visual observations for all these conditions that we mechanics use for troubleshooting. One simple indicator on a Westerbeke and others is the voltmeter on the engine panel.

Joe Valinoti  
S/V IL Gatto NS30U #221  
Sea Harbour YC  
Oriental, NC USA

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (\_ ~ (\_ ~ (\_~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (\_ ~ (\_ ~ (\_~ ~ ~ ~ ~

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/n26_115_233/original/1X/39e3f8ffb93f4278d654ae38d831066e407d616b.jpeg) [@system](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 1:28pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/starter-issues/6140/7 "2016-06-29T13:28:27Z")

</div>

My son and I will rewire all the wiring to #10 wire (white #10 for the glow plug, etc), and the alternator to battery circuitry to #8 wire. Marine grade wire will be used. Most if not all of the trailer type connectors will be replaced. I do not understand the pushing of the glow plug and the starter button simultaneously. In fact, my research says push the glow plug for 30 seconds, then push the starter button while still pushing the glow button. I believe the trailer type connectors were used for ease of connecting during the manufacturing/installation process. Bob Horne, 1989 N26C, #249, ENCORE, Pocasset, MA

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![carl\_engel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@carl\_engel](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/carl_engel)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 2:13pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/starter-issues/6140/8 "2016-06-29T14:13:41Z")

</div>

solenoid switch

Hello Bob,

Prior to my Nonsuch, I owned a cutter with a Bukh diesel engine and I had the exactly the same problem. In my case it got worse to the point where the engine would not start at all but give it a few minutes … or days, and it would start.

I found the cause to be a badly corroded wire, (about 14 AWG), that ran from the back of the ignition switch to the starter motor relay. The wire had actually corroded inside its sheath so the corrosion could not be seen. I replaced this wire with one that was a couple AWG thicker and the engine started as it should; instantly and consistently. Am sure this connection has a name but regret I don’t know it. Assume it was the one that fired the starter motor relay to engage the starter.

FWIW & Cheers

Chris Inniss  
30U 324 Peace on Earth  
Chicago

iPaded

My W 27 requires the two buttons pressed simultaneously to complete the starting electrical circuit . The preheat is pressed singly and prior .  
I cleaned today all the grounding terminals with no improvement . However every time the engine starts after this hesitation .  
Bob Jenkins  
Good News 30 U #323  
Penetang , ON .

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jack\_Dokter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@Jack\_Dokter](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Jack_Dokter)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 2:54pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/starter-issues/6140/9 "2016-06-29T14:54:34Z")

</div>

Bob,

There’s nothing wrong with the small diameter 12 volt wiring that’s attached to the push buttons, or the push buttons themselves, or starter solenoid coil, as you described that the starter engages, but lacks power to rotate.

The problem will be the heavy supply cables, or the starter solenoid contacts, or the starter brushes, or supply voltage. Is the starter properly grounded to the engine case? ie, the mounting bolts are secure?  
Could you try a temporary connection of another battery with power cables to the starter, just to eliminate your current wiring set-up?  
By reveiwing the discussion, I’m beginning to think its the starter again. Was the replacement starter new, or a rebuild?

Best of luck.  
Jack Dokter  
Nine Lives 26C 099  
Penetanguishene On

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BOB\_JENKINS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@BOB\_JENKINS](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/BOB_JENKINS)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/starter-issues/6140/10 "2016-06-29T20:25:50Z")

</div>

Jack and others ,thanks for all your contributions to the discussion . I am away from the boat for a few days right now .  
The starter replacement was new . Strangely enough the first was a rebuild a year ago and it didn’t work so I returned it for credit and upgraded to a new starter.  
There were no problems with the new one until about a week ago .  
Thanks Bob  
Good News 30 U  
Penetang on

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bill\_Baxter](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/bill_baxter/32/6831_2.png) [@Bill\_Baxter](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Bill_Baxter)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 1:02am UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/starter-issues/6140/11 "2016-06-30T01:02:38Z")

</div>

Bob, fwiw I second the motion on checking the ground connection.

Bill Baxter  
Persistence  
NS30 #507  
Blueberry anchorage,  
Fraser Bay  
North Channel
