Starter key position

PaulJS

PaulJS

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My boat has an old starter key switch with 4 positions and I suspect that I may have burnt out the heater plugs by misusing it.

I've assumed that the positions going clockwise are "Off" - "Electrics on" - "Heater plugs on" - then spring loaded to "Start", from which position the key returns to the third position. I also assumed that once the engine has started the heater plugs were switched off at the position the key returns to, and was very wary of physically turning the key anti-clockwise while the engine was running for fear of knackering the alternator.

Do you think I've knackered my plugs?

Paul
 
PaulJS said:
My boat has an old starter key switch with 4 positions and I suspect that I may have burnt out the heater plugs by misusing it.

I've assumed that the positions going clockwise are "Off" - "Electrics on" - "Heater plugs on" - then spring loaded to "Start", from which position the key returns to the third position. I also assumed that once the engine has started the heater plugs were switched off at the position the key returns to, and was very wary of physically turning the key anti-clockwise while the engine was running for fear of knackering the alternator.

Do you think I've knackered my plugs?

Paul
Click to expand...

hold against the spring should energize the plugs, turn fully against the spring to engage the starter
 
PaulJS said:
My boat has an old starter key switch with 4 positions and I suspect that I may have burnt out the heater plugs by misusing it.

I've assumed that the positions going clockwise are "Off" - "Electrics on" - "Heater plugs on" - then spring loaded to "Start", from which position the key returns to the third position. I also assumed that once the engine has started the heater plugs were switched off at the position the key returns to, and was very wary of physically turning the key anti-clockwise while the engine was running for fear of knackering the alternator.

Do you think I've knackered my plugs?

Paul
Click to expand...

Check it out with a multimeter, or better still a bulb on a couple of leads.

Turning the key 1 position anticlockwise from the Off position is often the stop position when a separate mechanical stop or stop button is not fitted.

You wont knacker the alternator........ it is disconnecting or switching off the battery while the engine is running that will do that.

Easy to check your glow plugs with a meter on it lowest Ohms range. Very low resistance = OK Very high resistance = burnt out ( wiring disconnected of course)

I usually check them with a bulb to battery positive . If they are Ok the bulb lights.
My car eats glow plugs so a regular job is testing them and identifying the burnt out one when its slow to start
 
Last edited:
VicS said:
Check it out with a multimeter, or better still a bulb on a couple of leads.

Turning the key 1 position anticlockwise from the Off position is often the stop position when a separate mechanical stop or stop button is not fitted.

You wont knacker the alternator........ it is disconnecting or switching off the battery while the engine is running that will do that.

Easy to check your glow plugs with a meter on it lowest Ohms range. Very low resistance = OK Very high resistance = burnt out ( wiring disconnected of course)

I usually check them with a bulb to battery positive . If they are Ok the bulb lights.
My car eats glow plugs so a regular job is testing them and identifying the burnt out one when its slow to start
Click to expand...

Thanks Vic.
I've got a mechanical stop (well the boat and engine are about 36 years old!), but nice to have reassurance about the alternator as I wasn't sure if the "Off" position disconnected the excitation or the batteries.
Paul
 
PaulJS said:
My boat has an old starter key switch with 4 positions and I suspect that I may have burnt out the heater plugs by misusing it.

I've assumed that the positions going clockwise are "Off" - "Electrics on" - "Heater plugs on" - then spring loaded to "Start", from which position the key returns to the third position. I also assumed that once the engine has started the heater plugs were switched off at the position the key returns to, and was very wary of physically turning the key anti-clockwise while the engine was running for fear of knackering the alternator.

Do you think I've knackered my plugs?

Paul
Click to expand...

Make sure that the "spring loaded to start" actually springs back.
I had a engine fire, due to the starter solenoid still powering up & overheating, just coming out of a very busy Cowes, because the key was still in the power/start position. Luckily, we were able to sail to an anchor location in Osbourne Bay (yes you could in those days) & Seastart managed to have a replacement starter motor, which they fitted on the charter yacht. Think it was a 50' benetau or thereabouts.
 
Beware on mine 1978 vintage myself and previous owner at least got caught out.It appeared to be as you suggested wheras what it was was ignition on(no spring)then as far to right as possible without any downward pressure on key-heat;then push down and to right to start.
If you assumed that it was as you describe and as I assumed the heaters never worked.
So on mine you turn ignition on;turn clockwise as far as it will go-heat;then push key in to panel and turn right a similar amount again to engage starter.
If you do it conventional way you think you are preheating when you are not and as you turn to right key slips down into lower position and fires the engine.
 
Ah Ffiill, now that would explain some of the funny results when I was trying to meter the starter terminals to find out what was connected to what at different key positions. I'll definitely be looking into that.
Might explain the REALLY reluctant starting as well!
Thanks,

Paul
 
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