Beta BZ482 strange clicking/buzzing from fuel pump? starter motor?

[webcraft]

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We just went down the boatyard and ran an antifreeze solution through the freshwater side of the engine.

On shutting the engine down I could hear a fizzing/buzzing noise. It took me some time to locate it, but it seemed to be coming from the fuel pump or around that area. I thought it sounded electrical.

Switching the batteries off stopped it. Switching it back on again the noise started immediately, though it seemed to have decreased slightly. I thought I could see the stop lever on the fuel pump tick (or at leaset I assume that is the fuel pump?) and when I felt it I could 'feel' a fizzing and occasio0nal click through the lever.

Now, the panel is a mess - rusty, often hard to get the key in, buzzer rarely works, obviously damp and well past needing attention (it's on the list for this Winter - was a temporary fit after the original fancy panel I fitted needed repair). The stop button has not worked for ages and we have been using the mechanical stop lever (see below) for two seasons.

So - it feels as though the fuel pump is activated or shorting as soon as the battery is switched on - but I thought the fuel pump was purely mechanical. Am I right, and should I be looking for a permanently energised starter motor for my problem or what? I am somewhat confused, especially as I can feel the click/buzz through the stop lever . . . but I suppose that could be vibration transmitted from elsewhere and easily feelable through the lever.

(Have bailed out for now with batteries off and a small mains heater on to dry everything out).

What do the team think? Would rebuilding the control panel with new, dry connections - or replacing it - be a sensible place to start? Or am I missing something?

- W

 

[VicS]

Stop solenoid energised due to defective stop button ?????

It's the thing with the bellows connected to the stop lever

Dont see why it should buzz though.
Engine wont start if it is energised

So does not tally with what you say about the stop button not working but ..........??????
Worth disconnecting it to see if it stops the buzz

 

[Pye_End]

Is the solenoid on the stop lever still connected (electrically)?

 

[earlybird]

The stop lever is normally activated by a solenoid. From your description, this solenoid might be acting-up, possibly because of a corroded panel button.
The supply to the solenoid is a black and white wire. If you can identify this and disconnect at the solenoid, then the noise should, hopefully, stop.
Sounds like your panel needs some tlc.
If the starter switch should short out or stick at some time, then you might have a hefty repair bill.

 

[webcraft]

Is the solenoid on the stop lever still connected (electrically)?

Presumably - I have never disconnected it, it just stopped working.

 

[webcraft]

The stop lever is normally activated by a solenoid. From your description, this solenoid might be acting-up, possibly because of a corroded panel button.
The supply to the solenoid is a black and white wire. If you can identify this and disconnect at the solenoid, then the noise should, hopefully, stop.
Sounds like your panel needs some tlc.
If the starter switch should short out or stick at some time, then you might have a hefty repair bill.

Yes, panel needs massive TLC. I think that may just have jumped the queue on the 'to do' list . . .

Originally I fitted a fancy panel with rev counter oil pressure etc, but it developed a dodgy connection and had a small fire. I fitted the panel that came with the engine as a temporary fix. The original panel was repaired, but I have never got round to refitting it - seems like now might be a good time!

In the meantime, will take the old panel out and disconnect the solenoid wire to see if that is the problem.

- W

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

Sounds as though the solenoid may be becoming energised, possibly from the defective stop button, If there is a high resistance path (tracking across the button) the solenoid will not operate fully. If at all, but will tend to "chatter" hence the buzzing. The solenoid coil will buzz as it tries to pull the armature into it. If your panel is as bad as you say the tracking could be somewhere other than the stop button.

 

[webcraft]

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Thank you all.

The next sunny day the panel is coming off for a major overhaul or replacement with the original one.

- W

 

[nimbusgb]

I had a similar problem with a solenoid. Solinoids use a soft iron core, not good in a marine environment. The reason mine had stopped working, the core had corroded and therfore become jammed.

Sounds to me like your solenoid is energised ( as it should be with the key in the off position but the engine isolator on ) but is mechanically jammed 'on'. Disconnecting a wire off the solenoid should prove this and, judjing by the size of your solenoid, save about 2 amps when the engine circuit is on!

I fixed mine temporarily by stripping it down and 'easing' the core free.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

[Sounds to me like your solenoid is energised ( as it should be with the key in the off position but the engine isolator on )

Sorry, that is not the case with this engine. The solenoid is only energised when the stop button is operated (pushed in with your finger) either with the key "On" or "Off" and of course the isolater "On"
If the solenoid is operating (Energised) without the stop button being pressed then there is some other path providing power.

 

[webcraft]

If the solenoid is operating (Energised) without the stop button being pressed then there is some other path providing power.

Possibly the rusty corroded mess I suspect I am going to find when I remove the engine control panel

Another job put off as long as possible that now has to be done!

- W