Yanmar Starter Solenoid

[bernsm]

The Yanmar 6LPA-STP engine starter solenoid (aka 'magnetic switch') Yanmar part no. X1534002321 is failing. An OEM Yanmar replacement is about $400, which is outrageous for this simple little part. Switches that resemble the OEM part are available for ~$50 aftermarket, but I haven't been able to find a cross reference. Can anybody help find a suitable substitute for the OEM switch?

[tkeithlu]

One approach that has worked for me is finding a look-alike among Google Images or on catalog pages. Yanmar didn't design and manufacture that switch. They took an approapriate one off the industrial shelf, and now charge outrageous ammounts for a spare becasue they are having to maintain that stock for just a few sales.

Oh, and get to know McMaster-Carr. Here's the starting point on their branching catalog of switches:

https://www.mcmaster.com/switches/

which probably doesn't have what you need, so try here:

https://www.google.com/search?q=star...&bih=608&dpr=1

Finally, it helps if you know who actually made that motor. My Universal genset uses Kubota starters at $63 from Amazon, not $1200 from Westerbeke.

[tkeithlu]

I checked. My starter (Universal M25) is now $1,058.70 from Toad Marine, and $69.95 from Amazon/Kubota.