Hi All.  I have a 601 with the Jabiru 3300 engine.  Tried to start it this morning and got quite a jolt when I rotated the key to the start position and after the engine did not start after a few seconds I rotated the starter key back to OFF.  But the starter just kept on cranking.  Repeatedly rotated the key from off to mag position and back but the starter kept on cranking. Finally rotated to key to off position and started to climb out of the cockpit when the starter stopped on its own.

After some searching on the internet I found a Service Bulletin from Jabiru describing exactly this problem. https://jabiru.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/JSL009-1_Starter_S...

HOWEVER, per the bulletin I do NOT have the solenoid that is likely to fail and should be replaced.  So, apparently, Jabiru supplied solenoids are pretty much ALL crap.

So several questions:

1) any one else had this problem?

2) has any one tried a wiring change, like a diode access the solenoid contacts, to prevent the electrical arcing the can weld relay contacts together?

2) Instead of replacing my flaky solenoid with another crappy solenoid from Jabiur is there any good reason I should not just go find a good, universal replacement solenoid at an auto parts store and install that solenoid instead of a crappy, expensive one from the factory that will take days to weeks to finally arrive at my door?

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Hi Gilbert,

I've got 600+ hrs and 7+yrs on my Jab 3300 (#2427) and have never had a starter solenoid problem.  I did put a diode across both the master and starter solenoids.

However, I'm not aware of any widespread problem with Jabiru starter solenoids - for years, I've followed the Jabiru engine owner's forum on Yahoo and can't recall ever seeing a post about a hung starter solenoid, nor do I recall ever seeing a post about it on the Zenith.aero Forums, either.  Although not applicable to your case, I'm glad Jabiru issued a Service Bulletin back in 2013 when they did identify a problem in a particular batch of solenoids.

John

N750A

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