Intermittent starting problem

[marktwainsonic]

First off, I have read "HOW TO: Troubleshooting your engines starting system" and appreciate the guidance located therein. However, I would like a little guidance.

I am in the second summer of owning a Sea Ray 180 with 4.3 Mercruiser. Last year, occasionally it would take a few turns of the key to get the motor to turn over. When it did turn, it was at full speed...no problems. Started right up.

This season, I put the battery back in (which I had maintained via trickle charger in a heated space) and got just a click when I turned the key. I couldn't get any more than that out of it, so I bought a new battery.

First turn of the key with the new battery installed only yielded the click. Second try turned the boat over and it actually started up right away. On the water after a break, it took six tries (twists of the key) to get the engine to turn. The first five got me nothing (I think I can't hear the "click" with the swim platform closed), the sixth it started right up.

Reviewing the sticky, I understand this could be a number of things and all of them are simple enough to understand. However, the intermittent nature of the problem makes it very difficult to trace. Are there any of these problems that are more likely to be intermittent? Besides the jumping of the slave solenoid, are there any other procedures to try if it completely fails on the water? Is there a repair that should be made even if I'm not sure what it is? The last thing I want is to try to find a tow in .

Thanks for your attention. Any replies are appreciated.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Intermittent starting problem

However, the intermittent nature of the problem makes it very difficult to trace. Are there any of these problems that are more likely to be intermittent?

Ayuh,.... Corroded wiring ends, 'n connections....

Is there a repair that should be made even if I'm not sure what it is?

Remove, sand, clean, reinstall, 'n Grease, ALL the wirin' ends... including the Grounds....

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: Intermittent starting problem

Thank you. Will do so.

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: Intermittent starting problem

Got the negative side done. Can't seem to find correct wrench to remove positive terminal at starter. Could this be 15mm?? Sorry, don't have that size of wrench and nothing I own seems to fit. 5/8 seems to grab but is loose. Don't want to mess up the nut. Thanks.

 

[Dr400]

Re: Intermittent starting problem

Got the negative side done. Can't seem to find correct wrench to remove positive terminal at starter. Could this be 15mm?? Sorry, don't have that size of wrench and nothing I own seems to fit. 5/8 seems to grab but is loose. Don't want to mess up the nut. Thanks.

Did you solve the problem with cleaning the ends? I have the same issue starts sometimes others just a click
Dale

 

[zero lash]

Re: Intermittent starting problem

I had the same problem with mine as well. All the wires were cleaned and same issue. Took the starter out took it apart cleaned and lubed and it works good.

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: Intermittent starting problem

OK, I am hopeful. It was a 15mm nut and I found it to really be little more than finger tight (this is the positive post of the starter). I removed the nut, sanded and greased and re-installed. Water test tomorrow.

One last question: How much torque can that post take? I am not a very strong person, so I turned it pretty tight. However, I also recall breaking a post out of some deteriorated insulation on a car starter once, so i don't want to overdo it. Thanks.

 

[Dr400]

Re: Intermittent starting problem

when you cleaned the starter that solved all starting issues? my starter is a new to me rebuilt one, so it should be all ready to go, tomorrow i will replace the battery cables and see, they are pretty corroded inside

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Intermittent starting problem

Dr400, you should start your own thread if you need more discussion. But to answer you, he was advised to clean up all starter related terminals and he did so with the exception of the positive battery post. That was not done due to incorrect tools available. Later when he got the correct size tool he cleaned up that terminal too. He found it too loose at that time. He has not been able to run test it yet.

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: Intermittent starting problem

Dr400, If you've got corroded cables, that seems a likely place to start.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Intermittent starting problem

Intermittent problems are the worst. You need to determine where your problem is. If it clicks there are two possibilities either the slave solenoid contacts are bad or the starter solenoid contact is bad. Next time it happens (and I suspect it will), open the engine cover, locate the slave solenoid and have someone hit the key and listen to see if you can determine whether the click is coming from the slave solenoid or the starter solenoid. If it sounds like the slave it might be time to change it. Good luck.

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: Intermittent starting problem

If you read the "HOW TO: Troubleshooting your engines starting system" sticky - or, there are probably other threads that have the same info, there is a procedure for jumping your slave on the water. Probably good to know!