What are the odds it the solenoid vs the starter?

[takirb]

Shooting 50% here. Been on the boat 4 times, 2 times it's broken down on me. This time, i was anchored, started drifted close to the bank, pulled up the anchor and tried to move. I turned the key 2-3 times to get it started, like usual, then "click". The starter would no longer turn over, or make any noise at all. In my controlled panic, i moved the throttle up and down, idle lever as well, hoping something just didn't disengage. Nada, still just getting a single click when turning the key. Battery has 3/4 charge, so there's plenty of juice.

I was towed in my a 14' jon-boat w/a 20HP Johnson. People even took pics on the bank of me and my pontoon being towed in by a lil' boat LOL Me and the jon-boat owner removed the engine cover, and inspected wiring, starter, solenoid, etc. The solenoid is what clicks, but the starter does nothing. i removed/reinstalled the wiring on the solenoid hoping it was a weak connection. It won't stay in it's bracket completely either, but i'm not sure if that's indicative of anything. I can move the starter gears with ease by hand, but it's as if it gets no power. The starter was very hot to touch. Does this sound like a starter or solenoid issue? The heat made me feel there was a grounding problem, but there were no loose/corroded connections for the starter either.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: What are the odds it the solenoid vs the starter?

A relatively simple test - if you jump directly to the starter and it spins the motor over easily, chances are it is something else in the system...

 

[fishon13]

Re: What are the odds it the solenoid vs the starter?

If the stater is getting hot then power is getting there try jumping the starter. if it cranks test the solinoid. you can usally use a screw driver to jump the stater just don't ground it out and don,t touch the metal with your hand or the stater won't be the only thing getting hot

 

[crxess]

Re: What are the odds it the solenoid vs the starter?

If the starter motor was Very hot to touch, compared to other parts in the area, it's a problem.

If a starter starts swelling the armature will lock. Attempting to start under this condition only increases heat.

Causes can be varied. Weak Battery/Poor power or ground wire condition or connections/Pitted-damaged Solenoid.

Start simple. Check 12+ wiring to solenoid, solenoid to starter.
Check starter mounting(clean/tight)
Check Ground wiring to motor
Bypass Solenoid
If it doesn't start - Starter is failing.

Note: A failing starter may work when cold but fail once heated up.