Grrrr Generator again

[Dive Girl]

Hi all! Well we fixed the governor issue and the generator as been running well. (Westerbeke 4.5 BCGTC). That is until the very chilly New Year's Holiday! It ran fine Dec 30, 31 and Jan 1. Upon waking on January 2, nothing, nada, no click with the preheat switch, no turning over, just silence! (34 degrees in the cabin!)

Here's what we've done thus far...
8 amp fuse blown. have replaced it. Each time we try to start the generator, it blows the fuse.
Still no click at the preheat switch
All wires to starter motor and starter celluloid are tight
All battery cables are tight
Battery isf fully charged

Ideas?

Thanks all!
Deb

 

[Alex F]

One thing is obvious, if the fuse gets blown once you try to fire up the genny, there's either a short or an overload. The tricky question where? I'd like to think that it's the starter, but as with any electrical issue, you have to take one step at the time and go from point to point.

I would review the wiring diagram and follow the wires from the switch to the next point. I'm guessing the starter solenoid. I would disconnect it and try to fire up the genny. IF all is good and fuse is still alive, I'd connect it back and move on to the next point (most likely the starter itself) and disconnect it from there. IF the fuse is still alive after you click the start, chances are your starter is seezed.

 

[hottoddie]

Just to clarify something for you. Only diesel engines have a "preheat" feature. Your "preheat" switch is actually a "bypass" switch that bypasses the low oil pressure fuel pump cutoff switch. When you activate the switch it provides power to the electric fuel pump so the engine can start before the oil pressure builds up enough for the fuel pump to run on its own. If the fuse blows when activating the "bypass" switch I would start by checking the fuel pump circuit for a short to ground. Good luck.

 

[Happy Hour IV]

The starter itself will not have an 8 amp fuse. Unlikely that the solenoid has one either but could be. Follow the wiring diagram
to see what is energized on that fuse when it is blowing. You will be looking for a chaffed/pinched wire or a component failure ie:
fuel pump, ignition, choke coil. Possibly a sender (oil,water temp etc) if wired on the positive side (usually wired on the negative) If it has two wires it is suspect. If the sender has only one wire it is not the problem. Beyond that it could be in the generator mounted control section. Wiring diagram review makes it easier to find

 

[Dive Girl]

Thanks all! We will take these suggestions and move on from there! I'll keep you posted!!

 

[Dive Girl]

Update: Problem was a faulty circuit board (over speed circuit board). All is fine now (for now!)

Thanks for all your input!

 

[dcpringle]

Update: Problem was a faulty circuit board (over speed circuit board). All is fine now (for now!)

Thanks for all your input!

I had the same issues a few years ago on our Rinker... Same Genny too.

 

[2000SR380]

Good thread!
Would never have guessed Over Speed circuit board on a no-crank.
How did you diagnose that?

 

[Crushin It]

Yes - I too am interested in how it was diagnosed?

 

[TimTech]

+1 I would like to know how you diagnosed it as well.