1994 Mercruiser 3.0 (Alpha one) starter problem....maybe???

[gtdavis]

I have a 1994 Rinker with a 3.0 mercrusier, I have an electrical gremlin! I have replaced Slave solenoid, Battery, Both battery cables and even the ignition swithch just for the fun of it. Started out having classic "click" solenoid issuses so thats where I started. Now every once in a while when I turned the key I get that rapid fire clicking noise like the battery is not so good??? Then turn again it fires right up?? Ran all day today did fine got home put it on muffs to run some fresh water and the rapid clicky thing again!!! Not sure if engine turns slow because havent had this boat that long and it usually fire after 1st or 2nd turn? Thanks in advance for any advice!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1994 Mercruiser 3.0 (Alpha one) starter problem....maybe???

Ayuh,... My WAGuess is, the starter motor is loosing it's Ground connection with the Block,...
Or, it's dying a slow Death...

Pull it Off,+ have it Tested,+/ or cleaned up...

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: 1994 Mercruiser 3.0 (Alpha one) starter problem....maybe???

Agree with Bondo and also check/clean all your ground connections. Solenoid on starter may be tired.

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: 1994 Mercruiser 3.0 (Alpha one) starter problem....maybe???

May want to make sure the battery is fully charged as well.

 

[gtdavis]

Re: 1994 Mercruiser 3.0 (Alpha one) starter problem....maybe???

Thanks guys..... Took the starter off (a slight pain) it tested crap, took it back home opened it up....it had gotten pretty wet at some point in its life. I cleaned it up the best i could.......as you prolly already know it still tested crap! So lucky I have a friend who has a friend who owns a boat shop, got a shiny new starter for $125 (on a Sunday!) put it on seems to work fine.... Only time and a few trips to the water will tell!!!! BTW about the battery being fully charged???? is there a charger anyone reccomends over any other or is just a good automatic charger ok?
Thanks again!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1994 Mercruiser 3.0 (Alpha one) starter problem....maybe???

BTW about the battery being fully charged???? is there a charger anyone reccomends over any other or is just a good automatic charger ok?

Ayuh,... Take that question to the Electrical forum...

I use a battery Load Tester...

 

[gtdavis]

Re: 1994 Mercruiser 3.0 (Alpha one) starter problem....maybe???

ARRRGGGG!!!! Im back!!! Same problem Ive done all the check replaced the starter, solenoid, cables battery ect..... did fine a few times took it out the other day started fine ran around about 40 min or so tied off let the kids swim a while went to start back click click and sort of a whining noise???? the battery cable are getting hot and they actually move so Im drawing way to much current i tapped the starter a few times and finally bridged across the starter and it cranked right up Im sure not the battery because when the starter turned it turned fine. I think Bondo said something about losing the ground.... is it grounded in any way other than being bolted to the block???? HELP!

 

[gtdavis]

Re: 1994 Mercruiser 3.0 (Alpha one) starter problem....maybe???

Ok nobody came to my rescue thats ok because i figured it out the hard way today...Got stranded at a marina (caved in to the kids wanting to tube thought I could limp the starter a few more time) The starter fried wouldnt budge pulled all the plugs...nothing well at that point after I cussed a loud duck I knew I had to have a short in the starter so I pulled it off and found out the "new" starter I bought fell apart the screws holding in the magnets fell out and everything shifted and froze up Needless to say Im gonna go have a talk with the guy that sold it to me. Especially after having to fork out the bucks for the new "high torque" starter I had to buy!!