starter or solenoid?

[Stpetelsu64]

Well if you jumped the 2 large lugs on the slave, then you eliminated that as the problem

Well I used a screwdriver and touch both connections on the slave. And still just heard one loud click. Now I will try again as it was difficult reaching it. Used a mirror and was hard to get the screw driver parallel to get it touching both connectors

 

[hughespat57]

For the OP as he is new to starters/electrical and others so we don't get him confused.
Like so many things in boats "it depends"
So starters 101.

The Cummins QSB5.9 Marine starter should be an "on starter" solenoid this is the B series two bolt Denso OEM. this is a gear reduction starter so the motor is offset from the solenoid/Bendix drive. Depending on year...

Or this direct drive.

On the engine with slave to the left, this is out of the boat obviously, note the various possible slave locations...
The bolts are almost always 10mm 12 point socket. Use the wrong wrench and you will round off the head and be in a world of problems.

The slave is a simple magnetic switch with very heavy contacts.
So inside the starter is this:

The switch is at the base of the solenoid and the Bendix must be able to fully engage the fly wheel for the contacts to energize the starter.

 

[Richard Carlisle]

Well I used a screwdriver and touch both connections on the slave. And still just heard one loud click. Now I will try again as it was difficult reaching it. Used a mirror and was hard to get the screw driver parallel to get it touching both connectors

I would concentrate my efforts on getting the starter removed. The way I see it, if a Cummins mechanic can get it off, so can I. Working on these boats with huge shoehorned engines makes a great case for single screw boats.

 

[Stpetelsu64]

Well if you jumped the 2 large lugs on the slave, then you eliminated that as the problem

Ok just to confirm. Got the remote starter. So hook up the clips to the slave starter and see if it cranks ? Want to make sure that is the right process

 

[hughespat57]

The 400 should be V drives? The gassers are but I cant find the diesel specs.
V drives should put the starters on the "forward" (flywheel end), Port side of the engine.
Under the heat exchanger.

Here is the gear reduction style and slave, that's tight the actual starter motor is tucked up behind the HX. The slave is below the starter!

 

[Stpetelsu64]

For the OP as he is new to starters/electrical and others so we don't get him confused.
Like so many things in boats "it depends"
So starters 101.

The Cummins QSB5.9 Marine starter should be an "on starter" solenoid this is the B series two bolt Denso OEM. this is a gear reduction starter so the motor is offset from the solenoid/Bendix drive. Depending on year...
View attachment 153912
Or this direct drive.
View attachment 153915View attachment 153914On the engine with slave to the left, this is out of the boat obviously, note the various possible slave locations...
The bolts are almost always 10mm 12 point socket. Use the wrong wrench and you will round off the head and be in a world of problems.
View attachment 153916
The slave is a simple magnetic switch with very heavy contacts.
So inside the starter is this:
View attachment 153917
The switch is at the base of the solenoid and the Bendix must be able to fully engage the fly wheel for the contacts to energize the starter.

Thanks this helps. Mine is a 2006 so probability my hasn’t changed much although some parts have

 

[Stpetelsu64]

I would concentrate my efforts on getting the starter removed. The way I see it, if a Cummins mechanic can get it off, so can I. Working on these boats with huge shoehorned engines makes a great case for single screw boats.

I will try my best. Old and some rust. Have a 12 point 10mm so can give it a shot before the Cummins guys make it here next week

 

[Stpetelsu64]

The 400 should be V drives? The gassers are but I cant find the diesel specs.
V drives should put the starters on the "forward" (flywheel end), Port side of the engine.
Under the heat exchanger.

Here is the gear reduction style and slave, that's tight the actual starter motor is tucked up behind the HX. The slave is below the starter!
View attachment 153919View attachment 153918

Yes the starter is under the heat exchanger. The slave is another foot down. I will take a pic when I get home. But these pics help

 

[Stpetelsu64]

Yes the starter is under the heat exchanger. The slave is another foot down. I will take a pic when I get home. But these pics help

Well tried to hook up the remote starter but was too hard to reach without laying on my batteries. Got dark on me so before I dropped the hatch I hit start and the motor started. I did nothing except mess with the solenoid wires. Strange but it started on first try. Any idea as to why ? Didn’t touch my starter at all
Update. After shutting it down it would not start again. Guessing it is the starter or a loose wire or connection somewhere

 

[hughespat57]

Well as was mentioned the slaves wear out and are cheap $35+\-
And while not easy to change it is easier then the starter.
If the wires are long enough it could be mounted on the stringer it doesn’t have to be mounted on the engine.
Worst case you end up with a spare.

 

[PlayDate]

Well tried to hook up the remote starter but was too hard to reach without laying on my batteries. Got dark on me so before I dropped the hatch I hit start and the motor started. I did nothing except mess with the solenoid wires. Strange but it started on first try. Any idea as to why ? Didn’t touch my starter at all
Update. After shutting it down it would not start again. Guessing it is the starter or a loose wire or connection somewhere

At least you know the engine is not locked up......I would say that is progress.

 

[techmitch]

At least you know the engine is not locked up......I would say that is progress.

If the engine was locked up that volt meter would have dropped a lot more than .1 volt.

 

[Stpetelsu64]

If the engine was locked up that volt meter would have dropped a lot more than .1 volt.

Does the fact it started once tell me anything ? Didn’t bang starter all I did was mess with the wires to the slave solenoid. Then went to start the STB but hit the port instead and it started right away. Once I shut then and tried again same click

 

[Blueone]

Well it seems I can hear the bendix but the starter is not turning. But can’t jump it with the screwdriver. So guess it is going to be a nightmare. Rust is all down and around there also no matter how much of my CRC product I spray regularly. I live on the salt water with boat behind my home

Are you saying you can’t jump the solenoid?….. you need to try harder…..just lay on the engine….that’s what I do…stop fooling around and get to it

 

[Blueone]

Does the fact it started once tell me anything ? Didn’t bang starter all I did was mess with the wires to the slave solenoid. Then went to start the STB but hit the port instead and it started right away. Once I shut then and tried again same click

Solenoid…… how many times do I have to say it ?

 

[Stpetelsu64]

Solenoid…… how many times do I have to say it ?

Did it before but assume I must nit have been touching. Going to throw a blanket over the batteries and see if I can squeeze down there to make better contact. I did lay on the engine but still had trouble reaching it. Thanks

 

[PlayDate]

I agree....but I have heard that "loud thunk" before.....so I check that first before anything else. Then....... I would have pulled the starter. No other on board testing required.

If the engine was locked up that volt meter would have dropped a lot more than .1 volt.

 

[Stpetelsu64]

I agree....but I have heard that "loud thunk" before.....so I check that first before anything else. Then....... I would have pulled the starter. No other on board testing required.

Just hooked up remote starter. The first time I hooked it up a big spark. So changed the sides I hooked up and then clicked the starter remote button and heard a spark but nothing else.

 

[scoflaw]

Sounds like a loose connection with the button and the wiring in general

 

[Stpetelsu64]

Sounds like a loose connection with the button and the wiring in general

I am thinking same. Only using my common sense and not knowledge of the issue. Hoping when I hooked it up wrong it didn’t blow anything.