1993 omc cobra doesn't want to crank

[Estarnes67]

I have a 1993 seaswirl 180 se with a 4.3 omc cobra. Started it up last week and noticed the fuel pump was leaking. Today I put in a new fuel pump and impeller. It started up and was running good, after about 2 minutes it shut off. Went to restart and all it did was click once and the pulleys are barely moving. Seems like a starter going bad. (Not sure) If I hold the key to the start position it slowly moves everything but won't crank like normal. Plus holding it will make the positive starter wire smoke like normal. Don't know why it would shut off and do that now. Thinking about pulling the starter to have it checked but it cranked and started just fine minutes earlier. Two years ago I had a starting problem and it took both a coil and a shift assist module. Not sure if something is arising with those or not. Definitely have troubleshooting to do. Where would all of you start or look at? Let me know, thank you

 

[PITBoat]

A loose positive cable at the starter got me one time. Checked cables at the batt, but not there, and that's where the prob was.

Not sure what you mean by holding the key to start makes it smoke like normal though...

BTW, mine started and got me off the trailer and to the dock, but that was it. I think the drive trim was affected by that issue also.

 

[Estarnes67]

I'll check the cables tomorrow after I get home from work. I meant just holding the key in the start position to make it crank instead of just the on position. It would move really slow but it didn't like being held there with power going to it constantly

 

[Bondo]

Plus holding it will make the positive starter wire smoke like normal.

Ayuh,..... That smoke is tellin' you that, that terminal connection is corroded,....
Corrosion equals resistance, equals heat,.....

I suggest ya clean to shiny metal clean, both ends of both battery cables,....

 

[matthysone]

Replace the red cable also. If the ends are crimped no telling how good the connection is.

 

[Lou C]

Also, you might want to remove the spark plugs, make sure there isn't water in the cyls. That can mimic the problem you are seeing. ALWAYS check for water first, when you have a slow cranking problem preceded by "it just shut off"! If there is water in there you want it out fast and the cause found or else you can ruin the engine, quickly.