starter overheating and catching battery on fire...help!

[texas_angler_2002]

Hi,<br /> i replace the lower part of the starter more less the base was broke so i replaced. after putting it on i tried to start it and it acts like the battery is dead which it is not. i changed batteries and it caught the negative side on fire and acid started coming out i quickly got some pliers and took off the wing nut and pulled the wire off. i need to know what might be causing the problem. the wire going from the starter to the solenid was starting to melt from the heat. only turned the key over for about 20 seconds. any help is appreciated.<br /><br />85 115 rude v4...thanx

 

[texas_angler_2002]

Re: starter overheating and catching battery on fire...help!

sorry forgot to add the abendix is also hanging on the flywheel and not letting go

 

[Saperry]

Re: starter overheating and catching battery on fire...help!

Did it try to turn over at all?<br />Did you leave the key in the start position for 20 Sec?<br />What part of the starter did you replace?<br />Is the rotor (of the starter) in a bind?<br /><br />Sean

 

[texas_angler_2002]

Re: starter overheating and catching battery on fire...help!

well i replaced the brushes and the lower part it seem to be in a bind like the battery is dead

 

[petryshyn]

Re: starter overheating and catching battery on fire...help!

Did the starter shaft rotate easy after you assembled it?<br /><br />Did you mix up the ground wire with the Pos. wire on the starter? (the insulated stud on the starter should connect to the solenoid)<br /><br />Did the starter smell like burnt toast when you had it apart?<br /><br />Why did you have it apart....was it slow cranking from the start?<br /><br />*****Did you forget to put the insulating washers back on the starter positive stud(inside and out)!!!??

 

[DJ]

Re: starter overheating and catching battery on fire...help!

texas angler,<br /><br />20 seconds is a long time to grind a starter. 10 second bursts with a cooling period in between is much better.<br /><br />You said that the bendix remained in contact with the flywheel. Did the engine start with the bendix engaged to the flywheel?

 

[texas_angler_2002]

Re: starter overheating and catching battery on fire...help!

ok to start off no i only have 1 washer on the starter and second no it didnt start it will just go like wah...... wah........ wah ...............waaaaaah

 

[DJ]

Re: starter overheating and catching battery on fire...help!

texas Angler,<br /><br />I don't know if you've cooked it or not. But, first things first.<br /><br />1. You have to stop that starter drive from sticking. That may be a clearance problem, or the bendix is just sticky. Try walking the srater pinion gear up the shaft by hand. Does it want to stick at the top of its travel?<br />If so, you've got to adjust the clearance or lube it.<br /><br />2. Does the sarter spin freely if you bench test it. If not, it may be cooked.

 

[X7JAY7X]

Re: starter overheating and catching battery on fire...help!

If the motor is not turning over at all when you turn the key a winding could be bad. This would cause the motor to not turn over. It takes all three windings for a motor to function properly. If one is bad, in essence it would seem like the starter is binding when power is applied. It would then be hung up on a good winding and shorting out.

 

[BKool68]

Re: starter overheating and catching battery on fire...help!

It sounds like something made the starter "hot" and it just would not shut off. When you replaced the brush holder you must have got something crossed. Either that or the solenoid stuck. With the amps that an outboard starter draws and the length of the cables alot of heat is generated when the starter keeps running.

 

[Saperry]

Re: starter overheating and catching battery on fire...help!

Your best bet is to take the starter to a armature shop. Have it tested and rebuilt if needed. Then I would probably replace the selonoid. Most of the outboards I have seen use the same selonoid as an ford. If you buy them at a boat shop they cost about $30.00 automotive parts house get about 15.00. Just take your old one with you and match it up. The armature shop mat even have one cheaper than the merc. dealer.<br /><br />You may be able to eventually fix the starter yourself but hey the fish are bitting here in Texas and the weather is great. <br /><br />Sean