generator won't crank - please help!

7

74Alfa

Member
Jun 6, 2011
193
Connecticut
Boat Info
2000 Sea Ray 380
Engines
Twin 454 Magnum MPI's
Hi,

I worked on my generator all week and had it running great. The one time I need it while anchored on a trip and it won't crank. The battery is good and I'm getting 13 volts to the starter. I noticed that the light on the start/run switch on the panel doesn't come on when I push it.

I would like to stay overnight here but won't without a generator.

Can anyone help me diagnose this?

Thanks.
 
Bad starter, fouled connection at the starter, loose ground?
 
did you check solenoid? I'm guessing it's a connection issue. From my experience starters don't just go from working fine to not working at all. You usually get some warning signals that the starter is acting up.

Are all breakers and fuses good?
 
Pull the plug(s) and see if it will turn over.
 
Not sure what model you have but is there a switch on the gen. that needs to be at "remote start" position. If not your switch at the MDP will not work.it
 
Thanks for the replies.

It's a 7.2 Westerbeke.

I checked the 8 amp fuse and it seems fine. The breaker is not tripped. How do I check the solenoid?
 
You said your getteg power at the starter.... Bad switch? Does it have switches on the gen and at the panel?
 
dwna1a said:
You said your getteg power at the starter.... Bad switch? Does it have switches on the gen and at the panel?
Click to expand...

I was thinking that too. It has a remote switch on the panel down below and a preheat and start/run switch on the generator. There's four wires going into the start/run switch on the generator and I'm not sure how to check it's function.
 
Have you tried starting from that station?
 
Sounds as if it's a bad solenoid. Your getting power to the starter but it won't engage. Dad always said to tap the solenoid what a hammer to see if it's just stuck.... It's worked on some of my older starters... Up to you...
 
Yes, I know the hammer trick but don't have much room to swing it. As I recall I should hit the end of the solenoid. Maybe I can try turning the engine to disengage the solenoid using the belts?
 
You can try... Still be thinking of a new starter
 
Solenoid should have power in and out. Usually when it malfunctions it doesn't pass the OUT power. I've never used the hammer method but I had connected the points using a screwdriver.
 
If you have 12 volts at the starter, then the problem is at the starter. Check your grounding. If nothing happens from attempting to start at the panel, bypass the solenoid to rule out the solenoid.
 
I had gone through the post, One of my friend also faced the same problem with the generator, Some times the problem raised by the starter also, Solenoid should have power in and out. Usually when it malfunctions it doesn't pass the out power, Once checkout the starter and solenoid also. Produce some more attachments about the topic for view detail information.
 
Hi,

Thanks for all the replies and good advice. I tinkered with the components for about an hour but had to close it up when we got company. Didn't feel comfortable staying on the hook that night so we put in at a nearby marina.

I'm back at our home marina and will check the solenoid by trying to bypass it.

Thanks again.
 
OK, I have power to the starter and when I bypass the solenoid by bridging the contacts with a screwdriver the engine cranks. Does this mean I need a new solenoid or starter switch?
 
IMO, just new solenoid. Your test was a POC (proof of concept) that when you bypass the solenoid the power travelled passed it to the starter, which triggered it and fired up the genny (I assume). So, new solenoid should resolve your issue.
 
Replaced the solenoid, bench tested the starter, put it back together and it still won't crank. I'm sure it's something simple but I can't find it. I also replaced the start/run switch on the generator. The remote switch on the panel down below doesn't light the way it normally does, and the start/run switch on the genset doesn't do anything either.

I'm stumped.
 
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