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05-25-2018, 09:14 AM
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#1
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Veteran Member
City: New Bern, NC
Vessel Name: Miss Deb
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 37
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 63
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Dead in the water
So we warm up the boat, pull away and about 10 minutes later we get a low voltage alarm on the engine instrument panel. Voltage meter showed <10v.
We are at low RPM so I increase speed and the alarm goes away and the voltage comes up.
About 30 seconds later voltage drops, alarm sounds, engine sputters and dies. Dropped anchor and called Tow Boat US and they are estimating a 5 hour response time. So, I might as well be useful and try to trouble shoot the problem.
We still have DC to the instruments, meters show 12.9 volts. Measured voltage at starter and it is 12.98. Installed a new fuse recently in the house bank but it is still good.
There is a fuse in a small red wire off the alternator positive post and it is good. But there does not seem to be continuity between alternator positive and negative posts should there be?
When we turn the engine key on there is nothing.
Suggestions?
Thanks,
Gene
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05-25-2018, 09:22 AM
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#2
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Guru
City: Pender Harbour, BC
Vessel Name: Gwaii Haanas
Vessel Model: Custom Aluminum 52
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,791
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Check the connections, particularly the grounds at the battery bank and the main battery switches.
__________________
Don't believe everything that you think.
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05-25-2018, 09:27 AM
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#3
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Guru
City: Kitimat, North Coast BC
Vessel Name: Badger
Vessel Model: 30' Sundowner Tug
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 5,946
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Do you have Nigel Calder's book; Boat Owners Mechanical and Electrical Manual?
Has a really good troubleshooting section.
That's all the help I can offer!
__________________
"The most interesting path between two points is not a straight line" MurrayM
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05-25-2018, 09:27 AM
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#4
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Veteran Member
City: New Bern, NC
Vessel Name: Miss Deb
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 37
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 63
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XSBank - since we have electrical to instruments and other DC circuits but a dead engine panel would the problem most likely be in the engine 12 volt side of things?
We have dedicated engine starting battery and separate house bank.
Thanks for the reply,
Gene
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05-25-2018, 09:42 AM
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#5
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Guru
City: Vermont
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,076
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What engine? If it’s an energize to run stop solenoid, then low voltage could keep it from staying open. Have you measured voltage at the control panel where it is complaining? Perhaps measure the voltage at the stop solenoid with the key switch on to see what it measures.
If low voltage is preventing the stop solenoid from assuming the run position, you might be able to hold it in place and see if the engine starts. If it does, then secure it in the run position with a zip tie or other and you might be able to get home.
__________________
MVTanglewood.com
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05-25-2018, 09:46 AM
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#6
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Guru
City: gulf coast
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,440
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Mechanical or electric engine control system??
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05-25-2018, 09:52 AM
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#7
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Veteran Member
City: New Bern, NC
Vessel Name: Miss Deb
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 37
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 63
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Cummins 6BTA.
Battery connections are clean and good at the start battery.
I will have to check the engine manual about the solenoid.
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05-25-2018, 10:14 AM
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#8
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Veteran Member
City: New Bern, NC
Vessel Name: Miss Deb
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 37
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 63
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Twisted Tree -
Solenoid does not pull in when we turn the key to start and push the start button. I held it in place manually and still no luck. Disconnected the wiring harness and checked voltage with key on - none. Checked again with key on and pushing start button, again no voltage.
Thanks,
Gene
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05-25-2018, 10:33 AM
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#9
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Guru
City: Vermont
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,076
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SlowsailNC
Twisted Tree -
Solenoid does not pull in when we turn the key to start and push the start button. I held it in place manually and still no luck. Disconnected the wiring harness and checked voltage with key on - none. Checked again with key on and pushing start button, again no voltage.
Thanks,
Gene
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Do you know for certain that it is energize to start, and not energize to stop? I don't know, but someone like Ski will, so hopefully he will see this.
Do you have a stop button to shut down, or do you just turn off the key switch? If there is a stop button, that might energize the solenoid if it's energize to stop.
But all indications are that you have no power to the engine controls, including the solenoid, and probably the lift pump too. Since it failed gradually, it's probably a bad connection somewhere that has become corroded over time. If you have a manual with wiring diagrams that will be you best guidance, or someone who knows that engine in detail.
__________________
MVTanglewood.com
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05-25-2018, 10:33 AM
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#10
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Technical Guru
City: Wilmington, NC
Vessel Name: Louisa
Vessel Model: Custom Built 38
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 6,194
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On a 370 you can zip tie the fuel solenoid in up position, then jump the starter at its solenoid on the other side of the engine. To stop, cut the zip tie. Hopefully your throttle and shift controls are cable and not electronic.
Sounds like you have some sort of fault in the wiring going from engine up to helm and back down to engine. One lead on fuel solenoid should power up with ign on, the other lead enegizes with starter for pull in coil, third is ground.
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05-25-2018, 10:36 AM
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#11
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Guru
City: Vermont
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,076
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ski in NC
On a 370 you can zip tie the fuel solenoid in up position, then jump the starter at its solenoid on the other side of the engine. To stop, cut the zip tie. Hopefully your throttle and shift controls are cable and not electronic.
Sounds like you have some sort of fault in the wiring going from engine up to helm and back down to helm. One lead on fuel solenoid should power up with ign on, the other lead enegizes with starter for pull in coil, third is ground.
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Is there an electric lift pump? He held the solenoid and it still didn't start, so maybe no fuel because of no lift pump?
__________________
MVTanglewood.com
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05-25-2018, 10:46 AM
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#12
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Veteran Member
City: New Bern, NC
Vessel Name: Miss Deb
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 37
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 63
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Ski -
Shift/Throttle cables are manual.
I can zip the fuel solenoid in the up position but not sure about jumping the starter solenoid. That is just low current, correct?
Thanks,
Gene
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05-25-2018, 10:49 AM
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#13
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Veteran Member
City: New Bern, NC
Vessel Name: Miss Deb
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 37
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 63
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twistedtree
Is there an electric lift pump? He held the solenoid and it still didn't start, so maybe no fuel because of no lift pump?
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Fuel is not the issue - there is no power to the engine panel. I am thinking that a fault in the wiring harness between the engine and the panel is most likely the problem.
Unfortunately I don't I will find that before Tow Boat US gets here (although their ETA is 4 hours from now).
Thanks to all for the suggestions, keep them coming if you have any ideas.
Gene
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05-25-2018, 10:52 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
City: North NJ
Vessel Name: Bassey
Vessel Model: 17' Bass
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 438
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If no voltage from b+ side on alt to the battery bank you use with the battery switch in the right position check from batts on + side going back to alt. Batts, batt, switch, then alt if no voltage there could be a inline fuse from the alt. You will need to inspect the wires and be sure the connections are clean. Heck the motor may of even lost a ground. Check the b+ side to the motor with a volt meter should have system voltage there as well.
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05-25-2018, 11:00 AM
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#15
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Technical Guru
City: Wilmington, NC
Vessel Name: Louisa
Vessel Model: Custom Built 38
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 6,194
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On the starter is the big red cable (batt positive) and a smaller wire/terminal (both on the back of the starter solenoid) that fires the solenoid coil. You briefly jump the two together to fire the starter. Maybe 20 amps. Dont try to jump the two big lugs together, that would be too many amps for a screwdriver.
Bonus if you have a test lead with two alligator clips on it, that makes it easier.
Fuel lift pump is mechanical on these, no worries there.
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05-25-2018, 11:06 AM
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#16
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Guru
City: Boston Area
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,605
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if you're only 15 minutes away from the Marina, can you go back there with the dink and ask someone for a tow.....or raise the dockmaster on the radio to ask around ?
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05-25-2018, 11:14 AM
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#17
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Veteran Member
City: New Bern, NC
Vessel Name: Miss Deb
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 37
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 63
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ski in NC
On the starter is the big red cable (batt positive) and a smaller wire/terminal (both on the back of the starter solenoid) that fires the solenoid coil. You briefly jump the two together to fire the starter. Maybe 20 amps. Dont try to jump the two big lugs together, that would be too many amps for a screwdriver.
Bonus if you have a test lead with two alligator clips on it, that makes it easier.
Fuel lift pump is mechanical on these, no worries there.
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Ski - I am seeing two small terminals on the solenoid and the one large with the positive cable. One of the small terminals has a wire that goes to the starter housing, the other is a small wire - not sure where it goes yet.
Which of the terminals am I jumping? I do have a test lead with alligator clips, once jumped do I remove the test lead?
As I always tell my wife - Thanks For Your Patience!
Gene
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05-25-2018, 11:18 AM
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#18
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Technical Guru
City: Wilmington, NC
Vessel Name: Louisa
Vessel Model: Custom Built 38
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 6,194
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Should be three terminals on solenoid: 1. Big red batt cable. 2. Pigtail that goes into starter motor case. 3. Smaller terminal with lead that disappears into engine wire harness.
Jump 1 and 3. Once started, take jumper off.
Exact position of the stuff varies with the brand of the starter, but all have the same basics.
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05-25-2018, 11:21 AM
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#19
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Veteran Member
City: New Bern, NC
Vessel Name: Miss Deb
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 37
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 63
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That is exactly what I am seeing.
Then to stop the engine just cut the zip tie on the fuel solenoid, correct?
Thanks,
Gene
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05-25-2018, 11:22 AM
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#20
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Technical Guru
City: Wilmington, NC
Vessel Name: Louisa
Vessel Model: Custom Built 38
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 6,194
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Yep, cut the zip tie to stop.
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