Ford 302 starter issue

[Jakem]

Good day...took boat out today and used the main engine for about 20 min...fished for hour or so and went to move...starter lagged as if battery was dead. I heard battery sound like it was sizzling...I unhooked the battery...I unhooked the starter lead and went to hook it back up...starter sparked pretty harsh and tried starting itself with out use of the key. Any suggestions...I've been having dead battery issues and had alternator fixed..can a faulty staryer kill battery

 

[rustybronco]

Does this system use a remote mounted starter solenoid? If so I would think its ethier be supplied power when it shouldn't or the disc inside has gotten welded to the two larger posts. Regardless of the system used (external or starter mounted solenoid) I would pull the starter and have it checked for excessive current draw. If the draw and torque come back as in spec them you may have engine issues in addition to the starter being energized when it should not.

 

[itsathepete]

You may have a faulty starter but it sounds like you still have a bad alternator or maybe a bad voltage regulator. Battery sizzling is usually overcharged or could just be bad as well. Starter engaging without the key is a wiring problem unless the solenoid is stuck. Sounds like you have multiple electrical gremlins going on. Get the battery, starter, and alternator all tested and ensure all the wiring is correctly done and in good condition

 

[Jakem]

There is a starter soliniod with 4 posts...the starter was definitely stuck on. When I got home I put charger on batt and the engine started right up. Something is screwing around power wise for sure. I will have them tested. I just had alternator done. It seems When it acts up alternator or other wise it starts running rough..loosing power to electronic ignition ?

 

[rustybronco]

The solenoid is external to the starter correct?

 

[Jakem]

Yes it is

 

[rustybronco]

Remove the wire connected to the "S" terminal on the solenoid and reconnect the battery. If it still cranks the solenoid is bad. It more likely than not was damaged by the starters excessive current draw. If it doesn't crank then you have a harness side wiring issue OR the solenoid became unstuck. Either way have the starter tested at a reputable shop that repairs starters not just some auto parts that spins em up and says all good to go. Then inspect all the battery cables and connections for proper size and damage.

 

[rustybronco]

Sorry, I misread your last post. Replace the solenoid with a quality part, inspect the cables and connections and have that starter tested.

 

[Jakem]

Will do thank you for the help

 

[rustybronco]

Does your boat have point style ignition?

 

[Jakem]

No I switched it with a billet petronix igniter 2 distributer.

 

[Jakem]

My guess or assumption would be these electrical issues would effect the electronic ignition as well

 

[rustybronco]

My guess would be low voltage. The reason i suggested you monitor it..

 

[Jakem]

Right o

 

[440roadrunner]

This problem CAN BE TRICKY. Yours may be simple, that is, something may be holding the solenoid engaged. But there is ANOTHER aspect

If the battery is low, or poor connections "on the brink", or if the starter has and electrical problem, OR a mechanical problem causing drag, ONE OF THESE can cause the solenoid to weld the contacts. I've heard about this, and only seen it happen a couple times.

If you find a solenoid "stuck" enganged, with no coil power being applied, suspect such a problem as the root cause. A POOR CABLE or clamp can do so as well.

 

[Jakem]

I'm going to have battery's load tested and also take starter in. The cables all seem ok but I'll give them all a clean and check again.

 

[Jakem]

Update....battery is fried...starter also and alt tested out good. I bought a new starting battery with 1000 cranking amps. And staryer is being fixed

 

[rustybronco]

1000 starting amps will genally have a greater amaount of reserve capacity. 'More minutes of tunes for the buck."

 

[Jakem]

The only thing I run off it is my fish finder..downiggers are off kicker battery so I should be set

 

[Jakem]

This is what I bought..