Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

[CntrySngr]

Had a problem tonight. The starter got stuck on "engage", even after unhooking the ignition switch. Had to rush to unhook battery. (I need to start carrying tools with me!). The starter got stuck in the engaged mode.<br /><br />What we think happened is when we forgot the plug a month ago the starter was partially, if not fully, submerged. A week or so later it wouldn't turn over. Tapped the celinoid a few times and it started right up. Thought nothing of it after that. Then tonight this happened.<br /><br />$120 later we have a new starter and will install it tomorrow. The old one was painted with a rubberized finish on it, so the guy at Autozone suggested we do the same to this one. I did...hope it doesn't do anything bad to it. And yes, I left the tip unpainted...<br /><br />Anyway...anyone ever had a starter lock in and try to start even with the key off?<br /><br />BTW...AZ tested the old one, and it failed twice.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

You probably replaced the wrong part. If you tapped the solenoid and it started, why did you think the starter was the problem. Replace the solenoid. It was stuck. The starter can only get its "juice" through the solenoid.

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

Couldn't remove the selnoid...was all one unit. And the starter was stuck with the gears exposed when removed...We tapped the solenoid weeks ago...the guy at the marina said it would probably get worse so we should replace it...and it did get worse.

 

[John McFarlane]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

The solenoid supplies power to the starter, using the ignition switch to energise it. The main power from the battery then goes straight to the starter from the battery.<br />Upinsmoke has nailed it. The solenoid is faulty, regardless of where the pinion was stuck. Q: Even with the pinion stuck out, how is the power getting to the starter? A: through the solenoid.

 

[monoshock]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

For sure the solenoid, been there done that more than once. I allways carry an extra solinoid now.

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

I realize that the solenoid does that...I have no doubts about it. But it was attached with these "Star" bolts and I had no way of removing.<br /><br />Also, with the holes in the bottom of the starter itself, isn't it possible that water entered there and could have rusted it?

 

[vipzach]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

Sure it is possible, anything is possible. Does AZ carry marine starters? You really should have a marine starter, not a car starter!

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

Originally posted by vipzach:<br /> Sure it is possible, anything is possible. Does AZ carry marine starters? You really should have a marine starter, not a car starter!

The starter looks EXACTLY like my original one. It was an AC Delco starter on my inboard motor. The guy at AZ had me put on a rubberized coating spray to "seal" it like the original had on it. It was definitely the original starter.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

I think you did the right thing by replacing the whole starter, not just the solenoid (especially since it got wet). You need to have a marine starter, there are rubber seals and gaskets that are not used on a car starter. I would not trust a spray on coating.

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

Originally posted by waterone1:<br /> I think you did the right thing by replacing the whole starter, not just the solenoid (especially since it got wet). You need to have a marine starter, there are rubber seals and gaskets that are not used on a car starter. I would not trust a spray on coating.

Little late for that. Already sprayed the starter, so I doubt they will take it back.

 

[vipzach]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

I don't want to be rude, but is a marine starter that you know has the explosion protection built into not worth the the lives of the people that are on that boat with you or around you? What if you have a gas leak and don't realize it....go to start the boat and BOOM! No longer worth the money you saved on the automotive starter. Don't take this the wrong way, it just bothers me when people put others at risk. Be safe!

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

Originally posted by vipzach:<br /> I don't want to be rude, but is a marine starter that you know has the explosion protection built into not worth the the lives of the people that are on that boat with you or around you?

Considering that I didn't know there was such a thing, I don't see how you can make a comment to me like that. Also, I have not found anything on the internet stating anything about marine starters being any different than a regular one.<br /><br />If this is the case, of course I would want to be safe! I just haven't seen anything telling me otherwise until you said this!

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

Anyone know of any kind of Marine kit I can use to convert this one over to a marine starter? Considering they are basically the same for automotive mounts and boats, there should be some type of kit that manufacturers use to convert them as they assemble them...is that kit available for me to do so with mine?

 

[vipzach]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

That is why I started off with "I don't want to be rude" If you didn't know, you didn't know. Now you do know though. There have been alot of people on here that want to go with the cheaper auto parts instead of the marine grade. Sometimes until you say it like that they don't really think the extra cost is worth it. Don't be completely bothered by how I wrote it, it just bothers me when people (that know) cut corners like that. Safety is my first concern, for my family and others around me.<br />So don't take offense too it, if you hang around long enough you will see the people on here that know there are marine grade and go with auto parts anyway. Your pic shows people on your boat and don't figure you want them hurt.

 

[monoshock]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

There's a section in a Seloc manuals about the dangers of using automotive electric starter/solinoids. I've done it in the past trying to save a few $, but I'll never do it again.

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

Great news! AutoZone took the starter back. Manager said it wasn't my fault, their employee should have known better, so he refunded my $120! YEAH!!!<br /><br />Okay...now to find a starter that I can get before the weekend so I can get out on the lake this holiday!!!!!

 

[vipzach]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

Do you have a NAPA near there? Sometimes napa has marine parts on hand. It is cool that AZ took the starter back. Good Luck!<br />I am glad that you are going with the marine starter. The starter, alt, Dist....the things that make good spark are not the ones that you want to get in automotive.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

You made a good choice, Steven. Basically, everything on your motor related to electricity or fuel is marinized- distributor, alternator, starter, fuel pump, carburetor, etc.<br />I like seeing you here and talking about your gps/ff. So don't go blowing yourself up!

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

Thanks George! I don't want to blow up either!! <br /><br />Okay, so AZ took the motor back, and then I went to Evansville IN, 50 miles - was the closest place that carried the starter I needed. I purchased a Marine Starter, remanufactured, for $135. Brand new was $286. I installed it this evening and everything is "normal"...I hope! <br /><br />So...tomorrow night I hope to take her out and make sure she's ready for the 4th!<br /><br />Vipzach, thank you for bringing this to my attention! I learned a lot today! <br /><br />Yeah, Napa is here in town, but its a small one, I didn't think they would have it. I guess I should have tried before driving 50 miles, but I was just happy to find one in time for the weekend!<br /><br />Thanks again guys!!

 

[John McFarlane]

Re: Sarter stuck on engage, even with ign off.

The only difference between a 'marine' starter and an automotive one is the marine is sealed. <br />You did the same thing by spraying it. Some 'marine' starters have rubber seals, some don't. The ones that don't have the mating faces sealed with a liquid rubber compound. But the wiring, the brushes, the commutator and the insulations are identical to the automotive ones. Of more concern in marine environments is the chance of a stray spark, from a number of sources, eg the starter pinion not quite engaging with the flywheel, stray spark plug spark, faulty coil or insulation breaking down or spark tracking to somewhere other than the plug, and even static.