I've got a question or problem that has been plaguing me for a very long time, and I thought maybe with all the great Cape Dory experience out there, I might get some help. I have had my Cape Dory 36 for over ten years. Within that time I have had to change the starter button 7 or 8 times. It fails by not engaging the solenoid on the starter when needed. I have gotten very good at jumping down below to use a screw driver to start the engine, but I'd like to solve the problem. I have taken apart the failed buttons and found what I think is an excessive amount of carbon on the contacts. Since the starter button is to engage the solenoid, I don't think there is much current being carried, so why is the button failing so often? There is NO corrosion or sign of the weather interfering. Does anyone know of a failure mode involving the solenoid that could cause the starter button to have excess current on it's two contacts? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Robert.Roy@gsc.gte.com
CD36 Starter problem
Moderator: Jim Walsh
-
Matt Cawthorne
Re: CD36 Starter problem
Rob,
I had problems with the starter on my cd-36 several years ago. Eventually I had to replace it, but something that I found might help you.
My solonoid would not engage on some occasions. It was suggested to clean all contacts so I did all of them, including the harness connector at the back of the engine. That made all of the difference in the world for a long time. Eventually the problem came back and re-cleaning did not help any longer. Here is what may be wrong with your system. The solonoid requires a minimum amount of current/voltage to engage. Some portion of your system may have a degreee of resistance that is more than normal, but not enough to stop the solonoid from engaging. When the additional resistance of a slightly carboned starter button is added the system does not work. Next time the problem occurs try and use a straight piece of heavy wire between the suspect swtich and the starter. Make certain that the starter is well grounded. If it starts, then you can follow that lead.
It could be that the solonoid is requiring more current than normal to engage and it is not working when the button gets a little carbon on it. You can replace the solonoid without removing the starter. My engine sits low on it's mounts and it took me 16 hours to get the old Starter out, the new one in and re-align the engine. I removed the solonoid to fix a damaged thread and found that job could be done in about 1/2 hour if the starter is left in place. Others have replaced the starter and proclaimed "piece of cake". Thier installation must be far different than mine.
On this unit the solonoid is what moves the gear into mesh with the flywheel. If the gear is moving sluggishly on the shaft it could be preventing the solonoid from engaging the starter motor. Oil might help, but getting it to the correct spot on the shaft might be tough without removing the starter.
good luck,
Matt
mcawthor@bellatlantic.net
I had problems with the starter on my cd-36 several years ago. Eventually I had to replace it, but something that I found might help you.
My solonoid would not engage on some occasions. It was suggested to clean all contacts so I did all of them, including the harness connector at the back of the engine. That made all of the difference in the world for a long time. Eventually the problem came back and re-cleaning did not help any longer. Here is what may be wrong with your system. The solonoid requires a minimum amount of current/voltage to engage. Some portion of your system may have a degreee of resistance that is more than normal, but not enough to stop the solonoid from engaging. When the additional resistance of a slightly carboned starter button is added the system does not work. Next time the problem occurs try and use a straight piece of heavy wire between the suspect swtich and the starter. Make certain that the starter is well grounded. If it starts, then you can follow that lead.
It could be that the solonoid is requiring more current than normal to engage and it is not working when the button gets a little carbon on it. You can replace the solonoid without removing the starter. My engine sits low on it's mounts and it took me 16 hours to get the old Starter out, the new one in and re-align the engine. I removed the solonoid to fix a damaged thread and found that job could be done in about 1/2 hour if the starter is left in place. Others have replaced the starter and proclaimed "piece of cake". Thier installation must be far different than mine.
On this unit the solonoid is what moves the gear into mesh with the flywheel. If the gear is moving sluggishly on the shaft it could be preventing the solonoid from engaging the starter motor. Oil might help, but getting it to the correct spot on the shaft might be tough without removing the starter.
good luck,
Matt
mcawthor@bellatlantic.net
-
John MacArthur
Re: CD36 Starter problem
I have had my Cape Dory 36 for over ten years. Within that time I have had to change the starter button 7 or 8 times. It fails by not engaging the solenoid on the starter when needed.
This is a problem on older VWs and things like that. The solenoid *does* take a fair bit of power to engage, and you have the resistance of a run of wire from the power source to the button, and thence to the solenoid, as well as the button contact resistance. One easy solution is to get a relay (a horn relay is a good choice) and put it near the solenoid, and have the starter button close the relay. This cuts down on the wire run, and gives you a pair of contacts more suited to the solenoid requirements.
jmac@laplaza.org
This is a problem on older VWs and things like that. The solenoid *does* take a fair bit of power to engage, and you have the resistance of a run of wire from the power source to the button, and thence to the solenoid, as well as the button contact resistance. One easy solution is to get a relay (a horn relay is a good choice) and put it near the solenoid, and have the starter button close the relay. This cuts down on the wire run, and gives you a pair of contacts more suited to the solenoid requirements.
jmac@laplaza.org
-
Chris Reinke CD330 Innisf
Re: CD36 Starter problem
Rob - I had a problem with my starter button when I purchased my CD330. The mechanic told me that the previous owner was not fully depressing the starter button and the current was jumping between the two contacts. The arc caused pitting of the contacts and carbon deposits. Perhaps you are having a similar problem. I replaced my button and now I make sure the button is fully depressed when I start her up.
Chris
Chris
Rob wrote: I've got a question or problem that has been plaguing me for a very long time, and I thought maybe with all the great Cape Dory experience out there, I might get some help. I have had my Cape Dory 36 for over ten years. Within that time I have had to change the starter button 7 or 8 times. It fails by not engaging the solenoid on the starter when needed. I have gotten very good at jumping down below to use a screw driver to start the engine, but I'd like to solve the problem. I have taken apart the failed buttons and found what I think is an excessive amount of carbon on the contacts. Since the starter button is to engage the solenoid, I don't think there is much current being carried, so why is the button failing so often? There is NO corrosion or sign of the weather interfering. Does anyone know of a failure mode involving the solenoid that could cause the starter button to have excess current on it's two contacts? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.