Electrical Problem

[Greg Morris]

Sorry I was in a hurry when I wrote this.<br />I have a 1984 stern drive that has a number of electrical problems. I have rewired all the utility wires but now all I hear when I try and start the motor is the clicking noise from the alternator. I have installed a new battery and it is fully charged. Do you think it is the starter?

 

[Don S]

Re: Electrical Problem

Truthfully Greg, I think you need to read your post and fix it so we know what you want.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Electrical Problem

I see what happened. He was responding to another poster with a similar problem and posted a new topic by mistake. Actually that may turn out for the better. That way we can concentrate on this one.<br /><br />Love you on Mission Impossible, by the way. <br /><br />I'm baffled about the clicking alternator, however. I'll bet you have a bad slave solenoid. It's the same as the trim relays. They corrode with high moisture under the doghouse and if one is bad, the others can't be far behind.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Electrical Problem

Greg, I think we all could use a little more to go on here. I have never heard of a clicking alternator (at least not when we're talking about getting an engine to start). As Willy said, you could have a bad slave solenoid, or it could be a bad starter, corroded wiring....or even a locked engine. Get a helper and a test light or volt meter. Connect the volt meter to the small connections on the slave solenoid, have a helper turn the key to start.......do you have 12V ? If so, check both of the "big" connections of the solenoid, with the key in the "start" position you should have 12V on BOTH of the big connections. If it is only on one, replace the slave solenoid, the contacts are bad.

 

[Greg Morris]

Re: Electrical Problem

It appears when I rewired after the battery fire the battery cable to the starter did not allow enough room for the motor cover and when I installed it the cable was pushed down. This made contact with one of the other connections on the starter motor. I will check out the starter today and see if I have damaged it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Electrical Problem

when I rewired after the battery fire

Not trying to be rude, but are you sure you know what you are doing?????

 

[Greg Morris]

Re: Electrical Problem

I was not the one who installed the battery. The work shop that did the work installed SS bolts by melting them into the top of the battery. Because of the poor connections it arched and caused the fire. Unfortunately it took out more wires than just the battery.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Electrical Problem

Greg, Any "shop" that would melt bolts into the top of a battery should not be working on boats....or anything for that matter. If you paid them for their "services" I would recomend legal proceedings against them. Did they do other "work" on this boat ?

 

[Catchem]

Re: Electrical Problem

They did WHAT.You can't seriously still be using these guys are you.Lucky you still got a boat.Shop around for a better shop these guys are scary and dangerous.

 

[Greg Morris]

Re: Electrical Problem

The problem has been solved. As usual for me the problem had several things that needed to be repaired. First, I had to replace the solenoid on the starter. Second, even though I had installed a new battery there was a weak cell and had to change this out. The motor starts and runs well now. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Catchem]

Re: Electrical Problem

Glad to hear you got the problem solved and nice to se you post it here.Hope you have considered a new shop though...those other guys juet don't sound to good to me.Good luck with the boat.

 

[alternative]

Re: Electrical Problem

WHat was that all about... i dont feel so bad now