Starter Relay

[mattm]

I have a 439 and experiencing intermittent starter issue.  Can anyone provide insight into the following:
1)  Does the 439 come equipped with a starter relay, and where is it?  If not, presumably the solenoid power is switched directly to the start switch in cockpit?  
2)  Can I connect the starter solenoid terminal directly to the starter terminal to test for failure condition? 
3)  The Starter has a third terminal (tab) that appears unused.  The starter works without connection, but is this an alternate ground return for the starter solenoid?  Do other's have it connected?

Thanks in advance. 

[sitara]

I have had similar issues in my SO36i. It is equipped with a Yanmar 3YM30 (2012) that does have a starter relay mounted on the rear of the engine. I have checked terminals on the starter solenoid and they appear clean and in the loom connection to the engine wiring and they appear clean and in good condition. Usually after I have done this and not been satisfied that I have solved the problem the engine will start perfectly on first push for a few months. I have added a secondary push button starter switch in the engine bay taking a positive current from the + terminal on the starter solenoid and returning it to the tab with the white wire on the starter solenoid. It is not a permanent connection but can be easily made if needed. I am waiting for the next starting issue to further diagnose the problem.

Hope this helps, what engine do you have?

[Trevor]

Hello mattm

The starter solenoid is powered through a relay. When the relay closes, a small current flows through the start solenoid which draws a high instantaneous current in order to pull in the solenoid core. This engages the sliding gear to meet the flywheel. At the same time the solenoid closes some heavy contacts that power the starter motor. This allows heavy current to flow from the large wire on the starter motor to crank the engine.

I have had a similar intermittent problem in the past. It required a new starter solenoid. I chose to replace the whole starter motor. An aftermarket unit was very price competitive.

The next time you experience the problem, apply 12 volts to the solenoid connector and see what happens. If nothing happens your starter motor is faulty. If it cranks ok you need to work further back towards the control panel.

Good luck with it. Nothing worse than intermittent start problems.

Regards

Trevor

[NZL50505]

Had similar problem (4JH4-TE) and rigged similar backup starter just-in-case. Multimeter detection pointed towards culprit being relay in keyless ignition panel which wasn’t energising fully - apparently a know issue. Replaced the 4 button module from within the starter panel and also checked the 2 (not one) connector plugs close to the back of the start panel running towards the engine. No repeat of problem since.

[webone]

Had that issue with my 45.2, yanmar engine, as suggested in a post here I added a relay near the starter, perfect, starts with no hesitation at all. It had acted like a failing solenoid.

[cdrmike]

Hi All

Welcome to the club! I have been chasing a similar problem for several seasons and have applied all the fixes already described in this and other forums. For a time I believed I had nailed it but then after almost a full season of perfect starts, the starter appeared to barely crank the engine. I opened 2 of the 3 valve lifters and used my "emergency" start button I had fitted close to the engine and the engine span over and started as I closed one then the other lifter. The engine had been hot and only stopped for 10 minutes whilst I fuelled. This has now happened on several occasions but only when the engine has been hot after a good run and then stopped for a short time. It has never happened on a cold start. I had replaced the starter and solenoid several seasons ago and again all was well for several months until the curse struck again.
The earthing strap and all high currant connections have all been cleaned up and tightened but there is still a lingering doubt that a problem still exists.
Engine is a Yanmar 3GM30 which fortunately is fitted with valve lifters that have save my bacon on several occasions. This season I have fitted a new start battery and have had a fault free start record until last week. The hunt continues.....!