1998 Force 120 cranking hesitation

[Ken McQuirk]

On a cold start when I turn the key the starter barely cranks the engine and after 2 or 3 seconds it cranks just fine. I installed a new starter last winter and I always make sure my battery is full charged with tight connections. After running for 30 minutes it cranks right up. Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: 1998 Force 120 cranking hesitation

Is the starter new or rebuilt? What kind of battery are you using? Cranking battery or deep cell?

 

[Ken McQuirk]

Re: 1998 Force 120 cranking hesitation

Originally posted by Ken McQ.:<br /> On a cold start when I turn the key the starter barely cranks the engine and after 2 or 3 seconds it cranks just fine. I installed a new starter last winter and I always make sure my battery is full charged with tight connections. After running for 30 minutes it cranks right up. Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[Ken McQuirk]

Re: 1998 Force 120 cranking hesitation

The starter is new and I use cranking battery that I bought new last winter. The problem has developed slowly over the last couple of seasons where now it has a delayed crank every time.

 

[whblaylock]

Re: 1998 Force 120 cranking hesitation

I have a friend with that same mtr and I have the same as well and his does that. Your instincts tell you that it is a weak battery but I know that is not the case on his boat but it always starts. He just lives with it.

 

[Ken McQuirk]

Re: 1998 Force 120 cranking hesitation

Thanks wh. This just gets me nervous. I sure would like a strong crank like it was when the boat was new.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Re: 1998 Force 120 cranking hesitation

Make sure battery fully charged. Measure voltage drop during cranking. If it pulls down below 8-8.5 and you are sure battery has no bad cells then either bad connection somewhere or your new starter is faulty.

 

[cloumar]

Re: 1998 Force 120 cranking hesitation

Hey Ken,<br /><br />Will not be a bad idea to ck ground cable at engine block and battery connections also.<br /><br /><br />Smoky

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 1998 Force 120 cranking hesitation

do a voltage drop test on the cables and acrossed the solinoid as well as checking battery voltage drop at cranking. soon you will isolate the problem.

 

[Ken McQuirk]

Re: 1998 Force 120 cranking hesitation

Thanks all for the advice. I'll try them and let you know what works.<br /><br />Ken

 

[Ken McQuirk]

Re: 1998 Force 120 cranking hesitation

Well, I just got the boat back from Clark's Marine in Alton. I didn't have a big enough cranking battery which led to a meltdown of some of the solder in the starter. They put in a 1000 amp cranking battery and a rebuilt starter. it cranks first time with no hesitation. I had no idea that I needed a high amp cranker battery. Lesson learned. Thanks for your all's help.<br /><br />Ken