Will not start

[mwh2319]

Recently it did start OK but there were some weird sounds coming from the starter and/or solenoid.

Now when I push the ignition button there is a loud single click sound and then another loud click when I release the ignition button. I think it’s coming from the starter solenoid. I just put in two new batteries.

Here’s a youtube video if that helps:

https://youtube.com/shorts/o0MA7nCONos?feature=share

Is the starter solenoid bad or the whole starter? What should I do?

Thanks,
Mark

[Mo]

Ok, first check all connections around the batteries and ensure all wires connections are clean and terminals are tight. Terminal posts also should be clean. If you have multimeter check voltage across the terminals and see if you have 12.5 or better. Check the ground wires as well.

Once you have ruled out any loss of power from working in the area of the batteries, the batteries are up then move to the starter. Check connections on the solenoid. Once you have confirmed that check voltage to the starter solenoid.

Starters themselves can develop a spot on them as well. So if you have power to the starter and it still wont do more than that click you can try and give the starter a tap with a hammer...just a couple of sound taps you don't have to whail onto it. If it starts after that or drags you probably have a bad spot on the armature of the starter and be looking at replacing it.

Check your work first though to ensure you are not losing power to it.

Hope that helps.

Edit: sometimes a non working starter situation results from a starter overheating. This generally occurs after the boat wouldn't start because of some other issue, ie fuel issue or ignition issue where the owner turned the engine over and over on the starter for a long period of time. Just wondering if you had something like that occur lately. This causes heat to build up within the starter and warping occurs resulting in a spot where the armature is in contact with the housing. Sometimes tapping the starter moves it away for a moment and it will work. Any starter that has that issue needs replacement for once it stops spinning in that spot again the same problem with persist and be harder and harder to get it to spin again after repeated tries.

[JOHN COOKSON]

Remember:
Do not leave the key in the on position for a long period of time when the engine is not running or you will fry the coil if the points\EI are in the closed position.

ex TRUE GRIT

[Al Schober]

The strong click sounds to me like the solenoid is doing it's thing. If you put a test light between the starter terminal and ground, you should see it go on and off when the solenoid engages / disengages. If so, it's a starter issue.
Could be that the commutator needs cleaning. Could also be that the brushes are worn and need replacement. Or the brush rigging itself could be faulty. The springs that hold the brushes against the commutator are prone to corrosion and failure, particularly if the starter has been submerged in salt water.
If you're not getting power to the starter, then the solenoid terminals aren't making good contact and need cleaning or replacement.

[mwh2319]

Thanks all.

Given the weird almost grinding sound that had been coming from the starter recently back when the engine was starting, I decided to buy a new starter for $200. Also I’m doing a 200 mile trip from Annapolis to Norfolk soon so don’t want to chance an unreliable starter.

Will let you know how it goes.

Mark

[JOHN COOKSON]

RELIABLE STARTING

Slight thread drift.

One of the first things I did after buying my boat (in 1983) was buy a hand crank. Found a genuine Universal one at West Marine. Back then West Marine sold a few A4 parts and accessories.
I figured if the battery was flat or there was a problem with the starting system I could start the engine with the hand crank. I practiced starting the engine with the crank every couple years or so to keep the hang of it.
Another benefit was the hand crank came in handy when I did tune ups.
I understand that a hand crank would not work on some boats because of the way the engine is installed........
As I recall MMI sells hand cranks.

ex TRUE GRIT

[Golfdad75]

Doesn’t click

Today my boat would not turn over. No click. I have this problem before but NEVER when the engine is cold. I need to track this down. I thought I would start with the battery ground, then to the battery switch, I assume the starter next. Using a multi meter how do I check the starter

[Ando]

Slight thread drift.

One of the first things I did after buying my boat (in 1983) was buy a hand crank. Found a genuine Universal one at West Marine. Back then West Marine sold a few A4 parts and accessories.
I figured if the battery was flat or there was a problem with the starting system I could start the engine with the hand crank. I practiced starting the engine with the crank every couple years or so to keep the hang of it.
Another benefit was the hand crank came in handy when I did tune ups.
I understand that a hand crank would not work on some boats because of the way the engine is installed........
As I recall MMI sells hand cranks.

ex TRUE GRIT

At the moment the engine starts, I assume there’s a hair raising moment that the hand crank needs to be quickly removed so as to prevent it from spinning wildly…am I over-thinking this???

[Surcouf]

At the moment the engine starts, I assume there’s a hair raising moment that the hand crank needs to be quickly removed so as to prevent it from spinning wildly…am I over-thinking this???

normally not: such handles usually have non-symmetrical teeth: when the flywheel spins faster than the handle, it pushes it away. Without that, it would be more wrist breaking than hair rising ((note: Heavy duty gas turbines have a similar system on start-up engines)).

EDIT: it is the same system for all old car hand crank handle. Check online their teeth shape

[JOHN COOKSON]

Here's the MMI offering:

http://moyermarine.com/product/starting-hand-crank-misc_01_74/

ex TRUE GRIT