Starting issues with 3YM30 Yanmar

[KentSidel]

I'm a very new R 21EC owner, thanks to the good folks at Wefings Marine in Florida.

We were fortunate to purchase an almost new R 21EC, Little Lady.

She is now cruising the waters around Hilton Head Island and Beaufort, South Carolina.

But on two occasions I have tried to crank the Yanmar diesel, and she seems totally dead; as in dead battery dead.

Friendly local marina staff supplied a jumper battery, and the engine eventually cranked. But is did so only after several failed attempts at jumping the start battery.

MY QUESTION IS: IS IT POSSIBLE THAT I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER SLIGHTLY OUT OF NEUTRAL IN MY INITIAL ATTEMPTS AT STARTING? WHEN I WORKED THE SHIFTER FORWARD, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, SHE THEN CRANKED RIGHT UP.

Does it sound like I've got a slightly dead battery or am I not understanding the need to make certain the gear shifter is in neutral before cranking?

Any help appreciated. (The last time this occurred was following a wonderful lunch at Harbor Town Marina and did not go over well with the first mate......)

Thanks,

Kent in South Carolina
Little Lady

 

[captain's cat]

I would guess (and it's just that) the transmission has a lockout on it that prevents the engine from cranking if the transmission is not in neutral. This would prevent it starting while in gear and possibly getting you underway prematurely 😱 . It may be a simple adjustment, or even a bad switch. Try starting in gear once, bet it won't turn over. Then, the next time it won't start in neutral, wiggle the shift lever slightly. If it goes then, it's the switch.

Charlie

 

[Tugly]

Tugly has that same problem. The first time we put her in the water all was dead as you describe. The alarms all sounded and the electronics worked, but the engine battery acted dead. I got on the phone to the factory and was told to wiggle the throttle/shift lever. She turned right over. Now that Tugly is "broken in" it is very rare that the throttle needs that wiggle to engage the starter. I looked into adjusting the switch but felt it needed a more adept hand than mine.

 

[walldog]

No help with the starting, except that my neutral on another boat needs to wiggle a bit to be sure that the switch has connected. Otherwise it will not start.

I have a couple of pictures of Little Lady on my album and a couple more on my computer, if you are interested, I will send them to you.

 

[rt11002003]

There is a safety switch involved in the throttle/gear selector assembly. Most of the time it is physically located on the transmission. The starter circuit is open if the selector is in either forward or reverse gear, or if contact isn't made with that switch when in a neutral position. An open circuit means nothing passes thru, all those little electrons can't go anywhere, makes one think the starting battery is dead. But, batteries rarely die a sudden death, so, if things have been OK think about open circuits and look for them. I think I've seen the switch shown in the electrical diagram.

I've experienced the same issue once. Jiggled things a little and it started right up. I think I sort of jiggle it a little each time I start because I know it's there and needs contact.

I ran our Albin for several years without ever starting the engine in gear. It didn't have that switch in the starting circuit. It also had separate control arms for the throttle and gear selection. I miss them. This single control is awkward for me.

Kent, when did you purchase Little Lady? I saw her in capt herb's pics taken at Wefings in May. Marc is a cool guy, goes out of his way to be helpful.

Welcome to world of small tugs.


Gene

 

[wefings]

Thanks you once again for the compliments , it sounds like the neutral safety switch to me . Try to make a habit of centering the shift/throttle lever before starting. If the problem persists , let me know and we will further investigate ,
Marc

 

[Andrew Custis]

The neutral safety on the R21 30 hp diesel is located on the shifter itself. This is a very common thing that I have walked alot of customers through. Just remember if your panel is making an alarming noise when the key is on, you probably have battery power. Not a bad idea to keep a handheld voltmeter on board to check battery status every once in awhile.

Congratulations on your new purchase!