Starter solenoid for 3116

cwiert

Active Member
May 7, 2008
560
Chester, CT
Boat Info
1998 400 Sedan Bridge
Engines
CAT 3116 - 350HP
I'm having trouble tracking down a solenoid for my 3116s. The part number on the piece is 182800-2571. I called Cat and they said it's not a cat part number but there is a cat sticker and that number on it. I find it online by doing a Google search but everywhere I look it's out of stock.

The issue is, about 50% of the time when I hit the start button it wonothing happens. I need to press the button five or six times before it finally catches in the engine starts. My mechanic thinks it's that solenoid. All batteries are brand new.
 
On Caterpillar part numbers and their parts system, you will need to look the solenoid up in your parts manual then give your Cat dealer that number. They can source it from that. On vendor supplied items, sometimes the vendors part number is on the part but unless you know the vendor, you are stuck.

This may get you going: Caterpillar changed the starter relay/solenoid package sometime after 1996. You have a '98 so you probably have the later design. Look for a control box (roughly 6" X 10") with a hinged lid near the aft end of the engine. If you have that box, inside it are a number of Bosch type plug in relays. One of those is a slave relay and is a pretty common part to fail. They are a common item and a good parts house should have them in stock. I am not at home where my files are so I can't help you with part numbers, but those relays have been discussed here several times so you can probably search for more info.

If you have the older design, the slave solenoid looks like an old Ford truck starter solenoid and should also be easy to find locally.
 
Here's some pics of the part in question.
Cat figured out what the solenoid is. I hope that's it because at $90/each, I'd hate to be guessing.

57cee59b321f342f74b9009183c7ebbf.jpg
be2a865f1ba840b46ec086a2f116fa16.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The relay you need is about a $20 part at NAPA. I'm in Florida on the boat until about July 20 and my files are in Tennessee. Suggest you PM Carter Chapman and ask him for details on the source for the relay. I know he bought a replacement and a spare some time ago and I am sure he can guide you in the right direction.
 
Last edited:
Thanks Frank. I sent carterchapman a PM. Yes, $20 x2 would be much better than $90 x 2.
Thanks for the info.
 
Hi Carter,

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the info, but unfortunately, the parts you referenced were for relays that would plug into a board. I'm looking for the solenoid that has 4 posts on it that wires would attach to (like in the picture above). Oh well. Looks like I will have to get them from CAT. :/

Thanks anyway.
 
I could be wrong, but from looking at the picture that looks an awful lot like a regular old solenoid that can be bought in almost any auto parts or marine store. I think I might try to match it up at one of those sources before going to Cat for it.
 
Frank saved my butt on a Sunday afternoon about 2 years ago with the same issue . Taught me how to jump it and get me home. Part at NAPA worked great.
 
Thx for the replies and links. At first I didn't even notice the relay in that box. I'll try that first since that's cheap. If that doesn't work I'll take the solenoid out and bring it to napa and see what they say. CAT will be my last resort.
 
I'be even around these boats a long time and I have never seen the actual starter solenoid fail. On the boats with the junction box like this one, the problem is always the little Bosch type relay which acts as a slave solenoid.
 
I'be even around these boats a long time and I have never seen the actual starter solenoid fail. On the boats with the junction box like this one, the problem is always the little Bosch type relay which acts as a slave solenoid.

Good to know. I'll be testing it out tomorrow. Thanks again.
 
UPDATE: I swapped out the relays a couple weeks ago. It was working fine up until yesterday (I have maybe a 8-10 starts on the new relay). Now my port is acting up again. I have to press the start button 4-5 times before a connection is made and the engine fires up. I'm not having any issues with the stbd side (yet). So I have 2 thoughts:

1. Something is causing the relay to go bad.
2. It was never the relay to begin with. Maybe the solenoid?

Any thoughts?
 
Thanks, but did you see my "update"? I already did that. I'm still having the issue after replacement.

Sorry, I did not.... I have the same issue from time to time, I have replaced the neutral safety switch, the starter switch @ helm and now I just depress it a few times or add pressing the emergency start switch and it fires every time... I was thinking possible bad ground connection somewhere ?
 

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