Carver Owners Forum

Hello folks, I am very new to yachts and generators. I recently purchased 2003 Carver 396 aft which is equipped with a 10KW Kohler 4-cyl generator. I cannot start the generator using the start button or remote button as it makes a constant clicking sound. One mechanic told me it is the starter solenoid (he jumped the post manually and starter kicked in) so I ordered a new solenoid with a matching part number from Kohler. After replacing the solenoid, it's doing the same exact thing. Someone here (on another post) recommended checking the oil level, which is new and full. I am a bit perplexed. Please help. I have replaced all five batteries just two weeks ago so it's definitely not the battery. I am just wondering if I am replacing a wrong model solenoid (someone put in the wrong model solenoid before my possession of boat) The PO insists it worked when they used it last 7 months ago. They were living in the boat and using shore-power for last few months. Is there a setting, breaker, button or anything I am not doing right. I am at a loss here. Anyone with a carver and a Kohler can you please chime in?

Where does the Kohler get its 12v power from? Is it a battery independent of the others? A low battery will cause the starter solenoid to click.

Is the genny battery charged by the on-board charger?

Yes, it has a dedicated battery (New) which is also charged by onboard AC/DC shore charger. As I noted before, I can short the two main post on solenoid and starter cranks. I'll try to make a video and post here.

You may have a separate starter relay from the solenoid and that's what you hear clicking. I would try to isolate where you hear the clicking sound to verify that. Pics help too so when you're describing something we know exactly which part you're talking about instead of just making assumptions.

Try to start the generator at the generator........open the breaker on the gen itself and start it from there....see what happens.....there is a Kohler repair guy on here, maybe he will chime in......

Is all this clicking sound coming from behind the panel in the boat or right at the generator ?

Put voltmeter leads on the solenoid control wires (the small ones) hit the start switch and make sure you have a constant 12 VDC. If you do and it doesn't crank, bad solenoid. If you don't either a bad start switch or something in the safety circuit. You should be able to find a wiring diagram on line, or post your model and serial here, someone may have it.

Clicking majorly appears to be coming from the top black box (one with stickers. In next post, I'll try to put a small video

I'm thinking bad relay before starter solenoid!

One other thing that comes to mind would be the ground strap from the engine to the tray/pan, then to the battery negative......give that a quick check, clean.