What are these? A solenoid and...?

[Peregrine1983]

Hi all,

I just finished replacing a cracked heat exchanger and leaking oil cooler (discovered while replacing said heat exchanger) on a Westerbeke 58.

Engine ran fine with everything loose, now I just tightened the temporary supports for the exchanger and the oil cooler and suddenly my start key does nothing.

There is still voltage at the starter's solenoid, but I suspect I disconnected a wire going into or out of this thing... or this other thing...

Any help greatly appreciated.

[Jammer]

What do you mean voltage at the starter solenoid? Is there voltage on the yellow center wire to the solenoid when you turn the key, or just the terminal with the big red wires? When you measure the voltage what do you use for a ground reference? (should be the metal portion of the solenoid body)? How much voltage? 11=bad 13=good 12=marginal


Does it help to ground the solenoid case with a test wire? Does the starter operate if you short the yellow wire to the red wire?


If no voltage on the yellow wire, where does the other end of it go? All the way to the key? Nowhere? Might belong on "this thing" in your photo if so

[Peregrine1983]

Originally Posted by Jammer

What do you mean voltage at the starter solenoid? Is there voltage on the yellow center wire to the solenoid when you turn the key, or just the terminal with the big red wires? When you measure the voltage what do you use for a ground reference? (should be the metal portion of the solenoid body)? How much voltage? 11=bad 13=good 12=marginal


Does it help to ground the solenoid case with a test wire? Does the starter operate if you short the yellow wire to the red wire?


If no voltage on the yellow wire, where does the other end of it go? All the way to the key? Nowhere? Might belong on "this thing" in your photo if so

Thanks so much Jammer. I’m not on the boat now, but I had 12.8v on the terminal with the big red wires when I grounded out to either the solenoid case or the engine block. My bank is fully charged. I have not shorted the yellow wire to the red wire as it’s always a spark show, but I am nearly 100% positive the starter will turn if I do that.

I really think there’s something wrong with the key circuit - and I suspect these two components and their wires...

[jimbunyard]

The item in the third picture looks an awful lot like the back of a circuit breaker, If there is a red button on the side facing the valve cover, push it and try again.

[Peregrine1983]

Originally Posted by jimbunyard

The item in the third picture looks an awful lot like the back of a circuit breaker, If there is a red button on the side facing the valve cover, push it and try again.

Dang Jim, you’re absolutely right! It’s absolutely a circuit breaker. That would sure be an easy fix. Excited to get down there and try that.

Thanks!

[Peregrine1983]

Owe ya one Jim. Good eye. That’s exactly what it was. Popped it back in and the engine started right up.