First time i tried starting it...71 Merc 800

[rtpassini]

I was really nervous. I turned the key and it cranked for a few seconds. I got really excited! Right when it seemed like it was going to crank over it stopped. I tried turning the key again, nothing. I tried again, It cranked literrally maybe 1 second. Tried again, nothing. The starting wasnt spinning or anything. I took the volt meter to make sure its getting power to the starter, which it is.

I had the starter rebuilt because it was bad (when i first bought it). Do you think the guy that did the rebuild didnt do something right? Im just hoping thats the only problem. although it pisses me off i have to take the stupid thing out again.

 

[Laddies]

Re: First time i tried starting it...

Re: First time i tried starting it...

If you have 12 volts to the starter and it don't turn it's got a internal problem a couple years back I got some aftermarket brushes that after a very short time the wires would come out of the brush and it would act like that. So your guy may not have screwed up, just a defective part.

 

[rtpassini]

Re: First time i tried starting it...

Re: First time i tried starting it...

he said he replaced one of the brushes and the armature had a bad connection.

when i got it back, i noticed the nut/bolt the power wire connects to was quite loose...hopefully he fixes it for free.

 

[rtpassini]

Re: First time i tried starting it...

Re: First time i tried starting it...

i also forgot, i tipped the motor back up and some fuel came out. is this normal? my guess because it never started so the fuel wasnt used up.

 

[Laddies]

Re: First time i tried starting it...

Re: First time i tried starting it...

Yes, when the bowls are full they will leak gas till they are pretty much drained.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: First time i tried starting it...

Re: First time i tried starting it...

1) make sure you have a good, fully charged battery.
2) double check that all connections are clean and tight
3) use a set of jumper cables and connect the battery direct to the starter - do so with caution. You may have a bad solenoid.

Measure the voltage at the starter when cranking. Report back what you find.

 

[JB]

Re: First time i tried starting it...

Re: First time i tried starting it...

Do not pull the starter out again. It ain't broke.

You probably have a bad connection from the battery ground cable to the engine block. Take it off and clean it.

Let us know what happens.

 

[rtpassini]

Re: First time i tried starting it...

Re: First time i tried starting it...

right away i took a voltmeter to it. while trying to turn over (its a good battery)

and also to make sure its getting voltage, which it is.

busted out the jumpers, did nothing. same as the last time this happened.
and none of the wires should be dirty or loose because i just redid them all with a cdi harness.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: First time i tried starting it...

Re: First time i tried starting it...

What voltage did you measure at the starter while cranking?

When you tried the booster cables, did you connect right to the starter terminals? You should have seen a significant spark when doing so. If the starter did not spin and there was no spark, then something is wrong inside the starter itself.

One more thought. WITH THE KEY OFF try turning the shaft of the starter motor with a pair of pliers or vise-grips. Take care not to damage the shaft while doing so. There may be a "dead" spot on the armature. Try activating the starter again.

 

[rtpassini]

Re: First time i tried starting it...

Re: First time i tried starting it...

i measured 11.5 ish while cranking.

when i attached the jumper cable it sparked the first time. after that nothing. which, again, is what happened last time. so im confident that something is wrong internally.

 

[rtpassini]

Re: First time i tried starting it...

Re: First time i tried starting it...

just got the starter back. he couldnt find anything wrong and it worked for him.

i tried it again with the jumper cables, and now it works...i dont get it. lol.

im going to upgrade to a bigger ground wire from the starter and also check the one going to the battery as JB said.

 

[rtpassini]

Re: First time i tried starting it...

Re: First time i tried starting it...

UPDATES

had a chance to try and start it again. it cranked a bit but then stopped and clicked again. low voltage, dead battery. ok, charged the battery tried again. nothing but clicks AGAIN! just like last time. i dont get it....

edit:
I went out and retried and did some testing as suggesting by turning the starter by hand for a bad armature.

i would find a spot where it would shoot the gear up and make a "thunk" noise then stop. and what would happen is the flywheel turned maybe an inch. after, the starter stays up and doesnt go back down. even though no voltage is getting to it. i would turn it again by hand and it would go back down.

is this still a starter problem? wiring problem? i also took a video because that might be easier. so ill post if anyone wants me to.

 

[*EdC*]

Re: First time i tried starting it...71 Merc 800

I'm no expert, so here's my 2 cents worth.
What I'd do is.....
1. Make sure you can turn the motor over my hand and everything is free and not binding. Make sure the motor is in neutral. Pull the plugs and watch the pistons.
2. Bench test the starter. Back off the bolts that hold it, if you can. The idea is, back it away enough so the Bendix gear wont' engage the flywheel. If not possible it will have to come off. With jumpers directly to a good battery, see if the bendix spins and goes up and down. If all is OK, reassemble.
The bench test is obviously a "no load" test. If you get the same results, I'd replace the starter.
Like I said, I'm no expert. I'd wonder if it is possible, for an older electric motor to lose it's "uumf" under load
regards,
Ed

 

[rtpassini]

Re: First time i tried starting it...71 Merc 800

even after i got it rebuilt. sometimes the jumper cable trick wouldnt work. i have no idea why. the only time the starter tries to do anything is when i manually turn the gear to a specific spot and try starting.

i can turn the flywheel by hand. nothing is stuck.
heres the vids
http://s95.photobucket.com/albums/l121/rtpassini/?action=view&current=boatvid002.flv
http://s95.photobucket.com/albums/l121/rtpassini/?action=view&current=boatvid004.flv

 

[*EdC*]

Re: First time i tried starting it...71 Merc 800

Saw your video.... Bummer....... I'd call the guy that rebuilt the starter, and tell him it won't crank under load. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me will chime in!

Regards, Ed

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: First time i tried starting it...71 Merc 800

Can't help but think you have a bad battery. Have you tried another battery? The other thing that does not sound right is that you mentioned you measured 11.5 volts at the starter while cranking. That sounds high to me. Would expect more like 10-11 volts.

In the videos, how is the starter activated, jumper cable or key switch?

 

[rtpassini]

Re: First time i tried starting it...71 Merc 800

that was all by key switch.


i took the starter out and tried jumper cables. still nothing. but the battery is still putting off 12 volts.
i havent tried another battery because its not even working at all with the jumper cables.
i think the reason its not dipping down is because the starter isnt actually drawing any power.

edit: i just ran out and tried it on my cars battery with jumpers. still nothing.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: First time i tried starting it...71 Merc 800

You have a flaky starter. Take it back to the rebuilder and tell them to fix it, properly. Don't take no for an answer. Have them PROVE to you that everything is OK, don't just take their word for it.

 

[rtpassini]

Re: First time i tried starting it...71 Merc 800

the guy is really nice and last time i brought it back to him, he showed me it was working, which it was. came home and tried it. worked for maybe 1-2 seconds. then starts acting up. which is also what happened the very first time.

ill see what he says.