1989 chevy 350 starting issue

[Adaboyd]

Hi guys.
I recently purchased a 1974 reinell with a 1989 chevy 350 for power.
When I turn the key to the on position all the gauges, dash lights, blower, etc will function normally. when I go to turn the engine over the starter will throw the bendix but not turn, then everything will stop working for a period of time, sometimes a couple second sometimes a couple minutes. Does any one know why this would happen?
Any tips or info is greatly appreciated
Thanks

 

[dwco5051]

automatic reset circuit breaker?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Hi guys.
I recently purchased a 1974 reinell with a 1989 chevy 350 for power.
When I turn the key to the on position all the gauges, dash lights, blower, etc will function normally. when I go to turn the engine over the starter will throw the bendix but not turn, then everything will stop working for a period of time, sometimes a couple second sometimes a couple minutes. Does any one know why this would happen?
Any tips or info is greatly appreciated
Thanks

first welcome aboard

my first thought is you have a bad connection somewhere. start with cleaning every connection from the battery to the engine and up to the helm and back

if that doesnt do it, pull the plugs and try to crank. you may be hydrolocked

 

[Bondo]

Hi guys.
I recently purchased a 1974 reinell with a 1989 chevy 350 for power.
When I turn the key to the on position all the gauges, dash lights, blower, etc will function normally. when I go to turn the engine over the starter will throw the bendix but not turn, then everything will stop working for a period of time, sometimes a couple second sometimes a couple minutes. Does any one know why this would happen?
Any tips or info is greatly appreciated
Thanks

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,...... Sure sounds like a bad connection, probably corrosion at some connectin' points in either the positive, or ground paths,.....

Start at the battery, remove, clean to shiny metal Clean, 'n reinstall, both ends of both cables,.....
I slather 'em with grease, to stop 'em from ever corrodin' again,....

Btw,.... What drive is this 350 connected too,..??..??

 

[Adaboyd]

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,...... Sure sounds like a bad connection, probably corrosion at some connectin' points in either the positive, or ground paths,.....

Start at the battery, remove, clean to shiny metal Clean, 'n reinstall, both ends of both cables,.....
I slather 'em with grease, to stop 'em from ever corrodin' again,....

Btw,.... What drive is this 350 connected too,..??..??

Alpha one gen one.

 

[Adaboyd]

Thanks for the advice.
Everything seems to be pretty clean and tight but I will go there it all.
Would this also explain losing power to everything else in the boat for a random amount of time?

 

[Bondo]

Thanks for the advice.
Everything seems to be pretty clean and tight but I will go there it all.
Would this also explain losing power to everything else in the boat for a random amount of time?

Ayuh,..... It would,......

Could also be a bad cable, internally corroded,.....
I had one once that drove me nuts,.....
It showed voltage, but wouldn't pass amperage,...
Took me awhile to find the little nick in it, 'n the nastyness within,....
Replaced it, 'n life was Great again,.....

 

[Adaboyd]

Ground cable to the battery was the culprit.
She turns over now but the starter stays engaged when the key is in the on position. I have to disconnect the battery for it to stop. I've jumped the slave solenoid and the starter solenoid with the same result. Would that mean the starter solenoid is bad?
Or could it be something before that still?

 

[Bondo]

Ground cable to the battery was the culprit.
She turns over now but the starter stays engaged when the key is in the on position. I have to disconnect the battery for it to stop. I've jumped the slave solenoid and the starter solenoid with the same result. Would that mean the starter solenoid is bad?
Or could it be something before that still?

Ayuh,...... On the starter's solenoid, are 2 small terminals,......
Have someone engage the starter with the key, if it don't disengage when the key is released to the run position, make sure you don't have power still comin' to the solenoids, from the key, the yellow/ red wire,....
Do the same at the slave solenoid,....

Low voltage can also cause solenoids to hang up,....

 

[jhande]

Disconnect the switch wire from the solenoid. Use either a starter test button or screw driver and jump terminals. When quickly removing screw driver or switch does the bendix disengage as it should? If it does then obviously the problem is not the solenoid. Could be a wire problem or even the ignition switch not internally disconnecting the "start" position. If it was me I'd check the solenoid first, ignition switch, then wiring.

Other electrical items shutting down... my guess the starting circuit is shorting out and possibly a resetting circuit breaker.

Granted I'm not familiar with boats, but similar issues with auto's.

 

[Adaboyd]

Disconnect the switch wire from the solenoid. Use either a starter test button or screw driver and jump terminals. When quickly removing screw driver or switch does the bendix disengage as it should? If it does then obviously the problem is not the solenoid. Could be a wire problem or even the ignition switch not internally disconnecting the "start" position. If it was me I'd check the solenoid first, ignition switch, then wiring.

Other electrical items shutting down... my guess the starting circuit is shorting out and possibly a resetting circuit breaker.

Granted I'm not familiar with boats, but similar issues with auto's.

I have jumped the solenoid on the starter but not with the wire detached. Key was in the on position. If I'm not using the ignition to turn it could the problem still be the ignition switch?
I've purchased a new starter solenoid and will give that a try.

 

[jhande]

I have jumped the solenoid on the starter but not with the wire detached. Key was in the on position. If I'm not using the ignition to turn it could the problem still be the ignition switch?
I've purchased a new starter solenoid and will give that a try.

When you jumped the solenoid did the bendix still hang up?
If it did my guess is a bad solenoid, they are spring loaded so they can quickly return to disengaged position. They can go bad in to ways, they either don't work to engage or get stuck.

If the switch is shorted it could be the problem.

Fairly easy test if you have access to the terminals on the back side of the switch.
Find the terminal (usually marked with an S) that leads to the solenoid. Attach a test light to ground, stick the probe some where on that terminal. With the key off or in the on/run position should be no light. Turn the key to "start" position and the test light should light up. If all is well look else where, such as jumping the solenoid. If that works okay then it's time to follow some wiring.