westerbeke 15KW BTD starter not turning when hot

[Rogerh]

Engine runs fine and always starts when cool. If I run the gen for several hours under load and then shut off, often the starter will not turn over and I sometimes hear a click in the solenoid and sometimes I dont. Let the engine cool down and the starter turns over and it starts right up. When this heat condition happens I can jumper 12 volts to the starter solenoid coil several times and then it will usually kick the starter. I suspect the solenoid or starter is failing under heat. Have any of you seen this and do you think I am going down the right path? .... I have a marine starter shop nearby that I can take it to but I wanted to see if you think this is the way to go before I pull the starter. I have posted on boat deisel as well... Thanks

 

[sunchaser]

Assuming you have a dedicated genset starting battery, insure the battery is good and the genset alternator to battery charging circuit is functioning ok.

 

[Xsbank]

1 check grounds
2 check positive contact on battery
3 check connections to solenoid
4 check connection to starter
5 Try jumping the terminals on the solenoid to eliminate the Sol.
This should tell you if it's the solenoid or the starter.
Pull the one that is failing
Good luck