Saturday, November 13, 2010, 9:50:36 AM, Pbcomer wrote: pcn> I have a Westerbeke 8kw generator that will start, but as soon pcn> as I release the preheat switch the engine will die. Starts and pcn> runs fine, and as long as the preheat switch is held it runs. pcn> The solenoid releases when the preheat switch is released. Any ideas what to trouble shoot? I expect that the engine has low oil pressure and high water temperature interlocks to stop the engine in case of a fault. The sensors for these interlocks will be switches, and would be in addition to the sensors that operate any analog gauges. The sensors may be either "close to run", or "close on fault". Troubleshooting techniques vary depending on which type of sensor is used. A wiring diagram of the engine controls would be a great help in troubleshooting. If the switches are "close on fault", simply disconnecting wires from the faulty switch should allow the engine to run. For a "close to run" system, shorting the faulty switch should allow operation. -- Peter Bennett, VE7CEI Vancouver, B.C., Canada Ennos 31 "Honeycomb" GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca