Issues with starting

[Hardworkn85]

I have my 72 chrysler 85 hp on a car battery. Starter use to spin but would never contact flywheel. I cleaned all screw connections thinking that was problem. Since then starter.has stopped spinning, and the part that is between that battery and starter is now making.weird noise whenever I attempt to crank. I like to learn how to fix my own things so if anyone can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Issues with starting

Borrow a known good battery and try it. Low voltage from the battery will make the solenoid click and the starter will not spin. Low voltage from the battery will also spin the starter too slow to throw the bendix gear into the flywheel and crank the engine.

First step: Make sure the battery is fully charged and accepts a charge. Then check all connections. At the battery, I like to put a lokk washer under and on top of each cable terminal. The edge bites through any corrosion on the battery and cable terminals

 

[strtbobber]

Re: Issues with starting

At the battery, I like to put a lokk washer under and on top of each cable terminal.

I really like this idea!!!

 

[Hardworkn85]

Re: Issues with starting

Thank you, I have tried that several times, taking the battery to the auto parts store to get charged. Do u think I need a deep cycle marine battery.

 

[Hardworkn85]

Re: Issues with starting

Thanks I have tried all of that, do u think I need a deep cycle marine battery.

 

[TwoFish]

Re: Issues with starting

A car battery would be fine if it is 450 CCA or larger. Very small car batteries may struggle. Marine batteries rather than deep cycle battery are built stronger to withstand the pounding of the boat.

I?d start by trying to isolate the problem. Test the starter first.

With the ignition OFF and in NEUTRAL get a pair of heavy jumper leads and test the starter.

DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FROM THE BOAT?S WIRING.

MAKE SURE THE IS NO FUEL LYING AROUND AS THE CABLE MAY CAUSE SPARKS WITH THIS TEST.

BE CAREFUL OF MOVING PARTS.

ONLY TOUCH THE CABLES TO THE STARTER FOR SHORT PERIODS AS THERE IS NO FUSE IN THIS SYSTEM.

SOME GLOVES AND EYE PROTECTION WOULD BE USEFUL.

Connect the positive jumper cable to the positive battery terminal & then connect the other end to the positive terminal on the starter. Then connect the negative jumper cable to the negative terminal of the battery. Be careful of the next step as sparks will come from the jumper cable end. Touch the negative jumper cable end to the outside case of the starter. The starter should work if it is OK. You don?t need to crank the starter for long. If this works we will move on to the next test.

Good Luck

 

[Hardworkn85]

Re: Issues with starting

Thank u. I did that starter test and it is spinning. What next step would you take.

 

[TwoFish]

Re: Issues with starting

That?s good your starter is OK.

Two new tests. The first checks the main wires from the battery to the starter and the second tests the solenoid.

Reconnect your battery to the boat.


TEST 1
Testing the main cables from the battery. Ignition switched off.

Find the solenoid and refer to ?TEST 1" photo below.
(I have attached a photo of the solenoid in my boat in case it is some help).

Your solenoid my have a different configuration to this drawing. The heavy terminals will be the positive in and out. The smaller ones will be earth(black or green) and positive from the switch ( yellow/red possibly. I don?t have a wiring diagram for your motor).

First test is to bridge the terminals on the solenoid from ?A? to ?B? with a screw driver or insulated piece of metal. Precautions as mentioned in the last post eg moving parts and sparks. Again only short burst as there is no fuse.
If this works it means the main cables from the starter to the battery are OK. Move on to ?TEST 2?.

If not you will need to check for corrosion, frayed wires or loose connections. The earth wire where it connects to the block of the engine is worth checking.
You can check the earth cable by running a jumper cable from the positive terminal of the battery and touching it to the positive terminal on the starter. If it does not work you need to fix the earth cable if does work the positive wire needs attention.

There are two positive cables. One from the starter to the solenoid (terminal ?B?) and one from the solenoid (terminal ?A?) to the battery. You could test the short positive cable by touching the positive jumper cable to terminal ?B? on the solenoid. Again if it works the short cable is OK and the problem is with the main positive cable between the battery and the solenoid.

TEST 2
Testing the solenoid. Refer ?Test 2? photo. You need to have preformed ?test 1? first to make sure the main cables are OK.

This test supplies power to the switching circuit of the solenoid to make it work.

Bridge the terminals on the solenoid from ?A? to ?C? with a screw driver or insulated piece of metal. Precautions as mentioned in the last post eg moving parts and sparks. Again only short burst as there is no fuse.
If this works it means the solenoid is OK.

If it doesn?t the problem could be the earth switch wire at terminal ?D? or the solenoid. Run a temporary wire from terminal ?D? to ground and test again. If it now works fit a new earth wire as the old one is faulty. If is still doesn?t work after replacing the wire your solenoid is faulty.

If the solenoid is OK there is a fault in the ignition circuit supplying power to the switching side of the solenoid. The fault could be corroded wires, connectors, ignition switch or neutral switch.
I will stop here as this post is getting a bit long. Post your results and we will take it from there.


Good Luck.

 

[Hardworkn85]

Re: Issues with starting

Thanks. I definately appreciate the help. Motor is turning over now, but starter is only turning flywheel one half turn constantly. Battery is reading 589 cca. Any suggestions.

 

[Hardworkn85]

Re: Issues with starting

Also starter is getting very hot & smoking a little.

 

[TwoFish]

Re: Issues with starting

Sounds like the starter needs looking at or replacing. You can pull the starter apart and have a look yourself. The brushes can be worn and need replacing. Doesn?t hurt to clean the insides up. See if the bearings are ok. You could also take somewhere to have it tested.

The other really long shot is that your motor has a problem and is hard to turn over.
You could check by taking the sparkplugs out and trying to turn the flywheel by hand. It should be reasonably easy to turn.

Are you sure your battery is OK? Not having enough power just heats up the starter rather than turning it. Have you had it ?Load Tested??

 

[fucawi]

Re: Issues with starting

Starter turning slowly and drawing excessive current ...internal short ..usually means a new armature....

 

[Hardworkn85]

Re: Issues with starting

Took starter apart and there is a hard brown substance inbetween copper wiring. Is this normal. If this shouldnt be there how can I remove it, what type of cleaning products will soften this.

 

[TwoFish]

Re: Issues with starting

Its probably normal. The wires have a brown varnish that insulates them from one another. Can you get a photo?

While you have it apart have a look at the brushes to see if they are worn and need replacing. Also check the bearings to see if they are dry. Not sure what is the best grease to use. Hopefully someone else will know.

Give it a good clean out to get rid of the dust from the brushes.