problems

[tcsigler]

Re: problems

Update...<br /><br />Went and put the starter back on the motor. Checked all of the cables, everything is clean. Took the battery to Auto Zone, they say all is well there. Undid the spark plugs and turned the motor with a socket, the motor turns and when I put it in gear, the motor and propellor turn. Did not see any water discharge. I am assuming this means that the motor did not seize or hydrolock. Pluged everything back in, turned the key and got one click. Not sure what to check next....<br /><br />Thanks again for everybody's insight, it is very helpfull....

 

[jlinder]

Re: problems

tcsigler,<br /><br />Can you try to find the starter relay mentioned above and put a volt meter on it?<br /><br />I would also like to know the voltage as measured at the starter itself. <br /><br />Answering those questions should be easy and quick to do.<br /><br />BTW - I found a cheap meter at m local ACE hardware for $10. Cheap enough to keep on the boat all the time.

 

[beezee28]

Re: problems

Last season I had the same problem, everything was running fine and the next time I took it out she wouldn't fire up but gave me a few click when I turn the key. Did the same thing you did, took the battery to the shop to test and it was good. The next I did was clean the battery cable contact with sandpaper and wirebrush the poles and hook the battery back on. Start up first try in the drive way. Now I check and tighten all connections and check for corrosion at all contact point along the cable.

 

[tcsigler]

Re: problems

What about the Ignition Coil? It is pretty much the only other thing that I can find that has wires going to it (three of them). Best I can tell, the only things hooked up to the starter are the battery and the ignition coil.

 

[Don S]

Re: problems

The coil has nothing to do with the cranking, so don't worry about that. the wire going to the coil is to put full voltage to the coil when cranking.<br />Jump the Big Red Battery cable on the starter to the small wire (white, or yellow/w red stripe) on the starter solenoid. If the engine cranks, then the wire going from the ignition switch to the starter is probably bad and you are not getting enough voltage. Check that small wire with a meter and see how many volts you have when in the start position.<br /><br />PS: Newer engines use a slave solenoid or relay to prevent just that problem. The long runs on boats cause trouble after many years in the marine enviornment.

 

[tcsigler]

Re: problems

ahh, so I can not find the relay because my boat probably does not have one? 1973...

 

[Don S]

Re: problems

You got it!

 

[tcsigler]

Re: problems

thats good, I was starting to feel a little ignorant.... traced all the wires, thought I was missing something totally obvious )

 

[trog100]

Re: problems

some things fail intermittantly.. could be that when the guy checked your starter motor in the first place it worked okay now it dosnt.. <br /><br />give the starter motor a few gentle whacks with a hammer.. its the first action i would take with one then just went click and was easy to get at..<br /><br />it still sounds like a failed solennoid to me.. even thow it has been checked..<br /><br />and if after all this the battery turns out to be flat.. its u who deserves a wack with the hammer.. he he <br /><br />trog100

 

[lakelivin]

Re: problems

Do you have a service manual for your boat? If you don't, is one available for a boat of that vintage? Might be well worth the investment if you don't already have one...<br /><br />Even if you get this one solved relatively quickly, I imagine there will be future issues where a manual will be of great help...

 

[lakelivin]

Re: problems

Originally posted by trog100:<br />....it still sounds like a failed solennoid to me.. even thow it has been checked..<br />trog100

This may be a stupid question, but just thinking of different possibilities, so go easy on me if it is. Is the solenoid attached/ part of the starter motor that he took in? i.e., do we know for sure that the solenoid has been checked?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: problems

If you think the solenoid is bad, use a jumper cable and jump the two large terminals, or connect directly from battery + to the stud on the starter. If the engine spins normally, the starter is ok and you either still have dirty terminals or a bad solenoid. If the starter does not spin by jumping it, it needs a rebuild or replacement.

 

[trog100]

Re: problems

"If you think the solenoid is bad, use a jumper cable and jump the two large terminals, or connect directly from battery + to the stud on the starter"<br /><br />that one cuts a whole chunk of possiblites outa the link.. its a good idea.. best to go straight from the battery terminal..<br /><br />mind the sparks thow.. cos if the engine is seized u are gonna get some when u make the connection..<br /><br />trog100

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: problems

Chris Myers, I have a normal 5.0L stern drive. Is that immune to hydrolok ? Thanks.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: problems

no marine engine is hydrolock proof.even with the "flappers" if you lose the ign., activate the safety switch,turn the key off in fwd.,pull to idle with a following wave you can still get water to go up the exaust and into a cylinder.