Starter query - VP AQAD40's (i think)

S

symondo

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 Sep 2013
Messages
542
Location
Highlands of Scotland
Visit site
A little bit stumped here.

Turned up at the boat yesterday to do a bit more cleaning to discover the engineer doing the servicing which was meant to have been done monday.

I asked what was up as i noticed the fuse board was also open.

It appears when you turn the key on 1 of the engines the starter engages yet upon release - it continues to spin.

I did a bit of troubleshooting with him as i have an understanding of 12v systems. It appears the relay clicks on... and off when disconnected from the starter with no issue.

Would this be a sticky solenoid? We have had the unit off and refurbed so im curious as to whether they have done the job properly. The only way to stop the starter turning is to isolate the battery and then its back to square 1.

Any ideas? After testing the whole circuit im short on ideas as to how this can happen other than the refurb not being done correctly.

We are due for launch tomorrow.....
 
Well the first thing I would do would be to get my 12v test lamp out and connect across the relay (starter terminals) whilst it is disconnected from the starter and turn the key and see if the lamp goes on and off with the relay. If the lamp stays on after you switch the key to off then your 'extra' supply is coming through the relay. I hope that makes sense, I know what I am attempting to explain! It would be quicker for me to actually do the job than this explaning bit!!
 
Do you mean it continues to spin once the engine starts, or that it continues to turn the engine over when you release the key, even if it doesn't start?
 
dpb said:
Do you mean it continues to spin once the engine starts, or that it continues to turn the engine over when you release the key, even if it doesn't start?
Click to expand...

it appears to do this - we havent let it run to the point of starting but it carries on spinning whithout the key turned

Peanuts - i used a meter to check and you can also hear the relay click across to disconnect the power.

Its almost as if at the starter at the point of turning over it kicks in and something somewhere is possibly shorting to a constant feed until isolated.
 
With the ignition on, you can 'jump' the wires at the relay that power the solenoid by pulling them off the relay and touching them together, starter should spin when they touch and stop when they part.
If starter works properly like this then the problem is the relay.
If the starter still runs on after parting the wires it is the solenoid.
Let us know the outcome.
 
dpb said:
With the ignition on, you can 'jump' the wires at the relay that power the solenoid by pulling them off the relay and touching them together, starter should spin when they touch and stop when they part.
If starter works properly like this then the problem is the relay.
If the starter still runs on after parting the wires it is the solenoid.
Let us know the outcome.
Click to expand...

It all points to the Solenoid. Which is frustrating as they were fully rebuilt and returned to the boat in january. Something smells of not being done as per instrcution. Ive only had the engine itself running for about 2 minutes since refitting upon testing the starter. I'm not overly chuffed to have this issue again the day before launch. Our engineer said he would do his best to resolve asap as it was left to him to resolve in the 1st place (it was a sticky solenoid he was meant to of fixed)
 
symondo said:
It all points to the Solenoid. Which is frustrating as they were fully rebuilt and returned to the boat in january. Something smells of not being done as per instrcution. Ive only had the engine itself running for about 2 minutes since refitting upon testing the starter. I'm not overly chuffed to have this issue again the day before launch. Our engineer said he would do his best to resolve asap as it was left to him to resolve in the 1st place (it was a sticky solenoid he was meant to of fixed)
Click to expand...

a PITA, but wouldn't stop me re-launching on one engine... then fault can be fixed whilst afloat. Good luck
 
Firefly625 said:
a PITA, but wouldn't stop me re-launching on one engine... then fault can be fixed whilst afloat. Good luck
Click to expand...

just off the phone with the engineer

Confirmed its the solenoid of 1 of the starters - even tried the other starter on the same engine.

So its away again to the lot that re conditioned it with a get 'a shift on' note.

the old man isnt gonna be chuffed with this.... but not much more can do about it.

with very little experience will we be ok to have a bit of a go on 1 engine in terms of manovering and just potting about the bay we are in? (its coastal)
 
harstonwood said:
If its a new boat (to you) it will be a learning curve with both engines. Don't rush ......fix it then go and play would be my advice (from the Kawasaki school of boating.....he is rarely wrong)
Click to expand...

She's sat on a pontoon now (see other thread)

However... the unit was returned today from the place that refurbished the starter and re fitted. It had a brand new solenoid fitted.

Still had the same issue. Turn the key, starter turns. Release the key, starter won't disengage and continues to turn.

Engineer tried swapping the starter from the working engine to confirm it wasn't a relay or related to the engine itself, the 1 starter will start both engines perfectly and perform as it should. Resulting in the issue being the refurbished unit. Theres just nothing else it could be.

I believe a new starter has been ordered for fitting Monday so fingers crossed that should cover that off and we can actually get both engines run up together to try our rebuilt drives.

I don't know much about then internals of such components but could it be as simple as maybe filing, greasing or oiling part of the solenoid.
 
Super, super frustrating, but unfortunately the way of boating! Real PITA to have this problem so soon after launch and after all your effort, but rest assured this time in two weeks it will be but a distant memory :)

Don't let it stress your dad out, and I hope you all have a great season :)
 
rosssavage said:
Super, super frustrating, but unfortunately the way of boating! Real PITA to have this problem so soon after launch and after all your effort, but rest assured this time in two weeks it will be but a distant memory :)

Don't let it stress your dad out, and I hope you all have a great season :)
Click to expand...

I think he's conceded its out of his hands. Just rather frustrating especially after having both engines been spun up 1 at a time so its just this 1 item shopping the fun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top