Help with starting problem

[sidechoke67]

I put a new starter in my boat in July. It has been starting fine all summer - tonight it started up several times. At the end of the night though, I turned the key and just got a high speed whirring noise.....sounds to me like the starter is turning (really fast), but not engaging the fly wheel? Could I have bought a defective starter? The bolts are in place...assuming it is not engaging the fly wheel, any idea what would cause that? Any other theories? It is a Sierra starter that I bought new from iboats in July...

Thanks for any help or suggestions!

 

[TowRoper]

Re: Help with starting problem

sounds like the Bendix (spelling?) is not working even new starters can be bad i would start by making sure all your connections are clean and tight

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Help with starting problem

Thanks TowRoper!

I should probably add a little background info for anyone able to help..

The motor is a 3L Volvo. I replaced the original starter in July because it intermitently wouldn't start.

I don't think the two starter problems are related - but I'll give a little background in case someone picks up something I don't see...

Old Starter intermittently failing:
I went through the diagnostics tests in the Adults Only stick thread with the old starter - the circuit light came on when it should have for each step. The circuit light came on for the solenoid test when the starter wasn't doing anything (so it couldn't have been the solednoid, right?). Finally, I tried tapping the solenoid/starter while someone turned the key, and the starter engaged. So, I assumed that either the starter itself was bad/had a bad spot, and ended up replacing the starter.

New starter:
The new starter has been great for a month and 1/2 - until tonight. Tonight the new starter worked 5 times or so - until I wanted to go home. Then the starter spun, but didn't engage the fly wheel.

Any guesses or ideas will be appreciated!

 

[TowRoper]

Re: Help with starting problem

i stand by the Bendix and or solenoid being bad but i don't have it in front of me either lol

 

[jtybt]

Re: Help with starting problem

Could be bendix but could be mounting bolt backed out or broken tooth on flywheel.

Also depending on the starter, there could be bent engaging linkage from the electro magnet.

 

[proxyx]

Re: Help with starting problem

engage the starter by hand -> screwdriver and short red with yel/red on the starter, if ok then your bendix solenoid not getting enough juice to go all the way, follow yel/red wire and clean connections (up to the starter trigger solenoid), otherwise have the starter removed and checked by a rebuilder, tapping solenoid - freeing it indicates jamming, there either mechanical or wiring issue

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Help with starting problem

How do I engage the starter by hand? Are you saying use a screwdriver to turn something, and/or do you mean wiring direct to the starter to bypass the solenoid?

thanks!

 

[sidechoke67]

Re: Help with starting problem

I called Sierra, and they said they would replace the starter. I'll pull it, check the fly wheel teeth, and look for any obvious problems around the bendex. If I don't see an obvious other problem, I'll send it back for a new one...

Thanks everyone!

 

[TowRoper]

Re: Help with starting problem

good to see sierra is taking care of business good luck!

 

[proxyx]

Re: Help with starting problem

How do I engage the starter by hand? Are you saying use a screwdriver to turn something, and/or do you mean wiring direct to the starter to bypass the solenoid?

thanks!

as I said with screwdriver short 2 contacts on a starter directly: red wire to yel/red
or 2 yel/red on a solenoid (not the one on starter) - follow yel/red wire