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Vessel Name: Changes in L'Attitudes
Engines: Twin Cummins 330HP 6BTA 5.9-M-3
Location: Merritt Island, FL
Country: USA
Cruising south down the AICW, day two of a three week run and anchored in Lantana Florida. Burned up the fuel solenoid on my 330HP, 6BTA 5.9 M3 (see pic-vertical mount Orig part number 3934972, now obsolete of course-crosses to new 4089574). None in the local area, having one overnighted from Hot Lanta. Should be an easy install – old one already out. Only issue I have right now is the wiring.
The plug that connects the solenoid to the harness is damaged (heat/melted wire from solenoid side – see pic), but the wiring upstream (away from the solenoid) of the plug is fine (A-purple w/white strip, B-white and C-black – at least that’s the best I can determine – all were covered in white paint that I scraped away).
Since I couldn’t disconnect the plug, I just cut solenoid side wires (red, white, and black). I can’t seem to find this plug in the wiring diagram I’m looking at, but the alignment of the wires across the plug is Purple w/white stripe to Red, black to black and white to white.
Question 1) Would really appreciate some back up on ensuring I ordered the right part (both the local Cummins distributor and a dealer I checked with gave the same replacement part number) and also the wiring ‘match up’.
Question 2) Am I right in this assumption – If push came to shove, before I can install the new solenoid, I can simply tie wrap up the rocker it was attached to into the open position and then cut the tie wrap and push the rocker down to shut it off. Yes, I lose safety features, but again, this would only be a last resort if I have to move before repairs are complete.
Question 3) I don’t see getting a whole new wire harness in the near future, and with the damaged plug I’ll forgo the nicety of having a simple plug for replacement and simply go hard wired. So my plan is to simply connect the wires with marine grade crimped connectors.
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Paul, I’ve done this 2x’s. Both on the Port engine. Burned up the solenoid twice and connector on the solenoid and wire harness (1 time). The connectors were “welded” together so they couldn’t be separated. Staying on the start position of the key switch too long will “smoke” those solenoids, I suspect that is why Cummins when to the 3″ solenoid, as they are noticeably bigger and thicker than the 2.5 inch that you and I have. Probably can better handle the long “start switch situation” and longer current time. I had a helm switch with a weak release from start. So I also replace the key switch with a much stronger start release (hope that makes sense).
Tie wrapping the fuel shutoff rocker will work. Real easy on the Stbd engine, a little more difficult on the port. I even when to Ace or Big box hardware store to buy a tie wrap that easily connects and discounts without having to cut and replace each time. They are generally bright yellow and slotted/adjustable tie wraps. This might save you the need to crawl around the front of the engine (port side) each time you start and stop the motor.
When I burnt-up the connector on the wire harness, I considered ordering a new wire harness. Talked to the folks at Seaboard and decided to go on-line and ordered two exact replacement connectors that come with about 12″ inches of pig-tail. Cut the burnt connector on the wire harness as close to the connector end as possible and butt-connected the new item. There’s not much wire to work with from the wire harness, so cut as close to the connector as possible. Crimped together and protected with liquid tape…working fine.
I recently ordered the replacement Solenoid from Seaboard and had to send it back, as they only have the newer 3″ ones. I did’t realize they have the conversion kit, as Rob mentioned. No doubt, that is probably the best approach.
I ordered the 2.5″ ones on-line. One of them has been working well for over 2 years. I’m waiting on the second one now. You are correct, the 3 ” will not work without the conversion kit.
Is your problem with the Port of Stbd engine?
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