yanmar gm10 + panel not turning on

[wajaja78]

Hi all,

Pretty new to boating with dayskipper knowledge, just got my first boat and got into trouble already. I have a yanmar gm10 engine, was running the engine in the marina in order to keep it in good order and keep the battery charged. My friend took the key out from the ignition switch as the engine was running, which did not affect the engine but I was later unable to put the key back in. I stopped the engine normally by pulling the handle slowly but the buzzer on the panel kept going. As it was impossible to get the key back in and switch the current on the panel off, I had the smart idea of turning the battery switch to the off position, which obviously stopped the buzzer (and possibly damaged a lot of things)

I now managed to put the key back in the ignition, but turning the key does not seem to activate the buzzer or the panel lights, (and it is now impossible to start the engine) looks like the panel is dead...

The rest of the electrics on the switchboard work fine (lights, navigation) so I think the battery is ok.

I'm probably going to need a engineer for this but I wanted to ask to see if I can avoid the costs...

What could possibly be fried from what I did? (Alternator, diodes, ignition switch, fuse?) Any chance I can find out and try to replace it myself?

thanks a lot

 

[SlimRick]

Sounds like your friend managed to pull the key out without turning the ignition off. Might have damaged the lock, or you may just be able to turn it back to the of position.
If the engine wasn't running when you turned the batteries off I wouldn't think you've done any damage at all.

 

[prv]

If the engine wasn't running when you turned the batteries off I wouldn't think you've done any damage at all.

Seconded.

Is this the standard Yanmar panel where the key only does on/off and there is a separate start button? Personally I think the key switches on them are a bit rubbish, and unless the panel is mounted in the open then it's fairly pointless too. I replaced mine with a simple switch (does need to be able to carry a fairly high current though). This means that a) you could replace yours with a switch too if it's knackered, or b) you could buy my old switch which is sitting on the shelf in my shed.

Pete

 

[Spud1973]

+1 with these guys. Can't see anything getting damaged other than the lock when the key was removed.

If you are techncal then undo the panel and "hot wire" it - that should confirm it.

 

[Spyro]

The key is just a simple on off switch. Get in at the back of it and there should be two wires attached. Firstly turn on the electrics then take a pair of pliers or a bit of wire and short out the 2 wires on the back of the key switch. The buzzer should sound and the lights should come on. If they do then the key switch is faulty.
If they don't you have an electrical problem and there is either no live feed to the switch or the earth side of the switch has no connection to earth. to locate the fault you would be best to get a multi meter to check it out.
You may have damaged the alternator switching the key off while the engine is running but this wouldn't cause the problem you have now.

 

[barnaclephill]

Welcome to the forum.

Do take heart that Yanmars run without panels and some such. Once started it only needs clean fuel, clean air, etc.

Mine has no instrument panel. Only the ammeter for the alternator, and that (the alternator) is only sometimes used - not automatic. But then mine has no glow plugs as the winters here are not severe. You can get a push-button switch to start the engine, push-button (small elec current) connected to a relay (which takes heavy current) to the battery/starter motor. In such case, you switch off the battery on leaving the boat, as there is no motor key in the cockpit.

There was a link on this forum a few weeks back for an online, downloadable pdf of the service manual with the exploded diagrams...
here: http://www.sailingboatefaki.gr/Engine Manuals.htm

if not the same motor, the 3GM or one of the ysm models, might have the same control panel.

 

[rob2]

you say that they key was removed but when you stopped the engine the alarm sounded? That indicates that the switch was stuck in the ON position, as it should be until the engine is stopped, so although you have probably lunched the keyswitch, there is no reason, so far, to suspect any other damage - the shut down was absolutely by the book.

I suspect you will find that shorting the back of the switch will get everything going again, so all you need is a new switch. You may even be luckier than that as you don't need to panic, a few fiddles with the key may get it working agin - I've had the key wrenched out of the switch too and a few wriggles got everything re-aligned and it has worked fine ever since. A new Yanmar switch will cost you far too much for what it is, but you may be able to find a simple key swithc on ebay, it doesn't have to have all the positions available for other engines which have glow plugs.

Rob.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

If your key switch is stuffed you could either find another one, or simply wire in a starightforward (waterproof if the panel is in the cockpit) switch. If your panel has a separate start button that's all you need. So long as the batteries are isolated there is nothing any intruder can do to start the engine unless the boat is open.

Your alternator should be fine, the key switch really only supplies power to the starter circuit and the alarms; once the engine is running the only way you can do damage of that kind as has already been said is by disconnecting the battteries.

 

[sigmasailor]

As it was impossible to get the key back in and switch the current on the panel off, I had the smart idea of turning the battery switch to the off position, which obviously stopped the buzzer (and possibly damaged a lot of things)

I now managed to put the key back in the ignition, but turning the key does not seem to activate the buzzer or the panel lights, (and it is now impossible to start the engine) looks like the panel is dead...

No harm done by switching of your batteries. Maybe a silly question: did you switch the battery back on before you tried to start the engine?

 

[david_bagshaw]

Alternator damage occurs when the main charge wire is disconnected with the engine running, not what happened here.

as to switching off the panel switch damaging anything , not likely.

after all the charge light is off, ie no current flowing, turnoff, depending on wiring, either it stays off, or comes on as it is now connected else where. max current, lights the bulb, what it is designed to do.

After all if it did cause problems, every vehicle engine would suffer alternator damage on turning off as it slowed to a stop.

Replace expensive yachty switch with standard industrial on off.

PS welcome to the fora & enjoy fixing things, as it saves cash and increases understanding!

 

[wajaja78]

thanks!

thanks all for your help, I think I will replace the switch with a standard one and hopefully things should be ok

cheers!