Beta Marine Starter Solenoid

[DoubleTrouble]

My Beta Marine bd722 always starts easily when cold. Occasionally, when trying to start when the engine is hot, the starter does not work. I do not even get a clicking sound from the solenoid. Is it possible that the solenoid can seize? And if so can it be stripped down and cleaned or lubricated? The engine compartment on my 30 ft boat is tight and gap between insulation and engine is small, so the engine compartment gets very hot. I have no overheating problems with the engine itself even when run for long periods, but I am wondering if the heat can affect the operation of the solenoid or starter.

 

[VicS]

My Beta Marine bd722 always starts easily when cold. Occasionally, when trying to start when the engine is hot, the starter does not work. I do not even get a clicking sound from the solenoid. Is it possible that the solenoid can seize? And if so can it be stripped down and cleaned or lubricated? The engine compartment on my 30 ft boat is tight and gap between insulation and engine is small, so the engine compartment gets very hot. I have no overheating problems with the engine itself even when run for long periods, but I am wondering if the heat can affect the operation of the solenoid or starter.

They can seize but I'd not like to say if high temperatures could affect them.

Before tearing it down I'd do some testing. Check to see whether or not you are getting power to the small terminal on the solenoid when the key is turned to the start position. If not then be looking for a bad connection somewhere between panel and engine. Its possible too that there could be a "booster" relay in the circuit. Id use a bulb on a couple of leads rather than a digital multimeter for checking.
Also if access permits cautiously try a direct connection from the main positive terminal on the solenoid to the small terminal ...... be aware though that the engine may crank and start! (for safety's sake it could be done remotely with a couple of leads).

Refer to the wiring diagrams in the owners manual.

Dont overlook the possibility of a bad connection on the negative.

 

[macd]

Not the question you're asking, and in any event Vic has that covered, but it would be prudent to keep a keen eye out for alternator belt wear if the engine compartment is as hot as you say. A decade or so ago Beta did some in-house testing as a result of a succession of V-belt failures, and found that high engine bay temperatures were critical. Notched belts are less susceptible than 'solid' V-belts, and polyvee belts far the least susceptible of all.

 

[cagey]

I had same problem, found a fuse in starting circuit hidden near heat exchanger it was badly corroded. Replaced it with new fuse in protected holder and hey presto. Access was a problem

 

[BabaYaga]

On the Beta 722 the fuse is not in the starting circuit, but in the cable that powers the engine control panel. So if the fuse is what causes the OP:s starting problems, then the panel would be dead on those occasions. No lights, no buzzer with the key in run position.

 

[Scomber]

beta

i had similar problem-spoke to beta and as vic says- it was a poor connection

My Beta Marine bd722 always starts easily when cold. Occasionally, when trying to start when the engine is hot, the starter does not work. I do not even get a clicking sound from the solenoid. Is it possible that the solenoid can seize? And if so can it be stripped down and cleaned or lubricated? The engine compartment on my 30 ft boat is tight and gap between insulation and engine is small, so the engine compartment gets very hot. I have no overheating problems with the engine itself even when run for long periods, but I am wondering if the heat can affect the operation of the solenoid or starter.

 

[DoubleTrouble]

Thanks for your prompt reply. I find that if I remove the engine cover for a few minutes the engine will start. That is what makes me think it is a heat problem. On the other hand maybe in removing the cover I am moving the wiring and making a better connection. I will clean and secure all the connectors and see if that fixes the problem.

 

[30boat]

Yes, it must be a poor connection.Make a direct connection to the solenoid to see if it works.

 

[Hydrozoan]

I don't know if it's relevant to your situation, but be aware that on the BD 622 (forerunner of the BD722) the positive for the control panel comes off the engine/alternator, the take-off terminal being below the heat exchanger. A failure to stop the engine using the control panel press button was eventually traced to an intermittent fault caused by failure of the wiring at that terminal, which had corroded unseen within the heatshrink. The terminal lay below the engine zinc, which can "weep" a little, and I suspect that that lay behind the corrosion. As I say, it may not be relevant to your situation but a tug on the relevant connection revealed the problem in my case. Good luck!

 

[Gordonmc]

This is not off a beta but may give inspiration.

Its a pre-engage starter and the solenoid had been sticking.
The cause was general corrosion, the white furry stuff on the piston.
After a clean up with a scotchbrite pad I gave it a good smear with vaseline and reassembled.

 

[30boat]

This is not off a beta but may give inspiration.

Its a pre-engage starter and the solenoid had been sticking.
The cause was general corrosion, the white furry stuff on the piston.
After a clean up with a scotchbrite pad I gave it a good smear with vaseline and reassembled.

These solenoids can be had cheaply at auto parts stores.

 

[VicS]

This is not off a beta but may give inspiration.

Its a pre-engage starter and the solenoid had been sticking.
The cause was general corrosion, the white furry stuff on the piston.
After a clean up with a scotchbrite pad I gave it a good smear with vaseline and reassembled.

I think in order to get pictures to show in your posts you need to go into your user settings in Photobucket and disable the "link back to albums" option

 

[cagey]

I had same problem, found a fuse in starting circuit hidden near heat exchanger it was badly corroded. Replaced it with new fuse in protected holder and hey presto. Access was a problem

Beta operators maintenance manual page 14 has pic of fuse I am talking about

 

[VicS]

Beta operators maintenance manual page 14 has pic of fuse I am talking about

Not in the manual I am looking at but the wiring diagram does show a fuse in the brown/white wire which is the positive feed to the panel.