Westerbeke 29.0 EGED 60Hz Operator's Manual page 32

STARTER MOTOR
PN.053295
DESCRIPTION
The starting system includes the battery, starter motor, solenoid,
and struter button.
. When the struter button on the instrument panel is depressed,
current flows and energizes the starter's solenoid coil. The
energized coil becomes an electromagnet, which pulls the plunger
into the coil, and closes a set of contacts which allow high current
to reach the starter motor. At the same time, the plunger also
serves to push that starter pinion
to
mesh with the teeth on the
flywheel. ·
To prevent damage to the starter motor when the engine starts, the
pinion gear incorporates an over-mmling(one-way) clutch which
is splined to the struter annature shaft. The rotation of the mmling
engine may speed the rotation of the pinion but not the starter
motor itself.
Once the struied button is released, the current flow ceases, stop-
ping the activation of the solenoid. The plunger is pulled out of
contact with the battery-to~start cables by a coil spring, and the
flow of electricity is intermpted to the starter. This weakens the
magnetic fields and the starter ceases its rotation. As the solenoid
plunger is released, its movement also pulls the starter drive gear
fi:om its engagement with the engine flywheel.
TERMINALS
MOTOR
TYPICAL
STARTER MOTOR
REFER TO THE Wiff!NG
DIAGRAM IN THIS MANUAL
SOLENOID
TROUBLESHOOTING
TESTING WITH A SCREWDRIVER
Prior to testing, make certain the ships batteries are at full charge
and that the starting system v.'iring cormections (te1minals) are
clean and tight. Pay particular ;:tttention to the ground wire
cOimections on the engine block.
To check the wiring,
try
crarlkiug the starter for a few seconds,
never more than
1
0 seconds at a time, then run your hand along
the wires and tenninals looking for wa1111 spots that indicate
resistru1ce. Repair or replace
mw
tr·ouble spots.
Using a multimeter, test the voltage between the positive tenninal
stud on the strut solenoid and the engine block (ground).
If you read 12 volts, tl1e starter is faulty.
SOLENOID
IGNITION
TERMINAL.r
\
I
(
n
To test the·ignition circuit, locate the ignition(s) terminal (it is one
of the small tenninal studs and is wired to the ignjtion circuit).
Use a screwdriver, don't touch the blade, to jump from that
ignjtion tem:linal to the positive battery connection terminal on
the solenoid.
If the starter cranks, the fault lies with the ignition circuit.
If the solenoid clicks but nothing else happens, the starter
motor is probably faulty.
SOLENOID
IGNITION
TERMINAL
~
. If nothing at all happens the solenoid isn't getting current.
. Check the battery isolation switch and inspect the wiring
cmmections. It is also possible that the solenoid is defective.
A
WARNING:
There will be arching and sparks will
fly when jumping terminals. Be certain··the engine
space is free of potf#ntially explosive fumes! especially
gasoline.
Engines & Generators
26