Another Westerbeke problem

[brad4550]

On my friends 39 he started the Gen.and it quit with in 4 seconds,now nothing.All fuses,circuit breakers checked and their is power to the red c/b,no loose or broken wires that we can see.even tried starting from remote box atop Gen.nothing,the small green light on it is not on and no indication on main start panel,no needle/gauge movement when using preheat.Thanks for your help and will pass Information to him....Brad

[Uncle_Bob]

There is a stop toggle switch at the fan belt side of the remote box. It can be seen high up when looking stbd. It is easily bumped. (Likely? Probably not, but worth a look)

[brad4550]

Yes the emergency stop,this all happened when trying to start it,so no one was around it or even a hatch opened.....Thanks...I think it's something easy just couldn't find out what it might be ??

[MerlinV]

Hey Brad,
We had this exact issue on JP’s 3988 a couple of years ago. It turned out to be a failed temperature sensor switch which fails in the safe mode.

Try pulling the connectors off the temp switch, and connect them directly together (we used a spade type fuse) and give it a try. If this should be the issue, you should be good to go, although the switch needs replacing ASAP to avoid an inadvertent overheat.

[brad4550]

Hi Rob
Thanks I'll give him a call and have him try it,I think he's still up your way.

[McManus]

Same thing happened to us last week. Coolant temp sensor went, causing the 20amp circuit breaker to trip when trying to start the engine. Bypassing the sensor as Rob mention is the tests to do. The coolant temperature sensor is ~$60 CAD and can be changed very easily.

If it is not the coolant temp sensor, it could be one of the other sensors or solenoids:

1) oil sensor
2) exhaust temp sensor
3) preheat solenoid
4) fuel solenoid
5) starter solenoid

[brad4550]

McManus
Yes it could be any of your suggestions,however it did not pop any c/b. but their is power to the c/b behind the fuel solenoid.

[Woodsea]

I had a problem several years back. The gen would start and sometimes run and sometimes shut down when the override was released. Eventually traced it back to a weak coil on the fuel solenoid. Replaced solenoid. All good.

[brad4550]

UP-DATE ....Problem turned out to be a bad 8 amp Fuse...looked ok wasn't blown but not connected at one end.