solenoid for starters (not glow plugs)

rappareems · July 02, 2007, 09:18:30 AM

Had to bypass the solenoid to get my boat started the other day. Has anyone ever replaced their solenoid? I have an '86 with the 25 hrs. engine.

Ron Hill · July 02, 2007, 02:38:19 PM

Mark : First make sure that the solenoid is infact bad and not just a loose wire, bad connectors/ions or corroded fuse/holder.

rappareems · July 03, 2007, 11:03:19 AM

Ron,

I started it up today no problem after the batteries charging for a couple of days. Friend suggests that even a bad ignition switch can be overcome with lots of power, I will check out the wiring and fuse holders as you suggest.

Craig Illman · July 03, 2007, 11:38:22 AM

Mark - I had to replace the start button on my engine panel this winter. It was intermittently failing to work. I'm glad it wasn't the starter. I also did the remote glow plug/starter switch project http://www.c34.org/projects/projects-secondary-starter-switch.html as a backup and to assist "single-handing" bleeding the fuel system.

Craig

Larry Robertie · July 03, 2007, 05:50:43 PM

Quote from: rappareems on July 03, 2007, 11:03:19 AM
Ron,

I started it up today no problem after the batteries charging for a couple of days. Friend suggests that even a bad ignition switch can be overcome with lots of power, I will check out the wiring and fuse holders as you suggest.

That jogged my mind - earlier this spring I helped the new owner of my old boat (C27) take her up to Maine. She started fine at the launch, but the next morning when we were getting ready to cast off... nothing. We brought down a battery pack and... nothing. Another yard mechanic suggested a strange (to me) remedy - he told us to take a hammer and tap the starter.

Worked like a charm, that day and the next morning in Portsmouth.

Seems as though the older starters sort of "catch" and need a little tap to wake 'em up

Mike Denest · July 04, 2007, 06:43:52 AM

Sounds like the bendix switch in the starter is failing. You might want to remove the starter and have it tested.

rappareems · July 10, 2007, 02:51:54 AM

Is there anything unique about replacing the starter button or ignition switch on this engine, or can you get it at NAPA?

Stu Jackson · July 10, 2007, 11:12:16 AM

There's nothing unique about switches "for the engine," since they don't come with the engine, they're separate items that are assembled by Seaward for Catalina. Napa may not have the stainless model switch, and if I were buying for my boat, I'd use a marine-grade Cole Hersee switch or button available from West Marine. That said, I have a Ford solenoid for our glow plug solenoid and it's worked fine for 8 years.

rappareems · July 10, 2007, 08:21:21 PM

Thanks Stu, the phone calls start tomorrow... Will let you know the upshot of it all...

rappareems · July 24, 2007, 04:42:00 AM

Mike, you win the prize. Bendix switch was hanging up replaced the solenoid ($90.00) and I am in business.

Mike Denest · July 26, 2007, 09:00:34 AM

Cool!

What'd I win??? The old Bendix??

Ron Hill · July 26, 2007, 06:37:14 PM

Mark : Any time you run into a engine problem always check with your Kubota dealer first. I'll guess that that solenoid might only be $45 or less. The sad part about it is that it may be the same identical unit that's sold by Universal.
On our web site we have the entire parts book for your D950 (M25/25XP).
I just used it to find an "O" ring to stop an oil leak on the top of my governor control. Cost - $.41 !! Might have been able to get it at an auto parts store, but it's metric and I had it in hand when I took the top controls off to take the old one out!!
I placed that entire engine manual PDF file on a CD. Looked up the part # and walked in to the Kubota dealer.
Great stuff on our web site!!