Recurring starter problem gets worse...

[adegiulio]

I originally posted this question in the Searay forum, but realized this one would probably be a better place...

One of our recurring problems is when I go to start her up, I get nothing but a click. The battery is new and fully charged. Everything else works fine (blower, bilge pump, etc). Today, I decided to try to tighten things up on the starter (or at least knock off any corrosion). As I turned the wrench, I got a nice spark as the metal touched the housing of the starter (a careless mistake I won't repeat). Now, I get nothing at all, as if a main breaker has tripped. I found a breaker reset switch on top of the engine (the boat is a 2001 Searay 190 Bowrider, the engine is a 4.3l Mercruiser), but pushing the button to reset did nothing. I disconnected the battery (something I should have done at the start) and reconnected it, thinking the breaker might be caught in some sort of electro-magnetic limbo. No help. So now, everything is dead, except for the pump which raises and lowers the sterndrive.

Any hints on what I might be missing? Is there another breaker somewhere? Are these breakers prone to failure? It seems like I am missing something very simple, but being new to boats, I can't figure out what it is...


Thanks in advance.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Recurring starter problem gets worse...

I've seen a few manufacturers put a fuse up by the ignition switch. I haven't known SeaRay to do that, but maybe. The most common cause of clicking with no starting is a bad slave solenoid. It's probably right near that breaker you mentioned.

 

[mike456]

Re: Recurring starter problem gets worse...

Are you sure that the battery is fully charged? Getting a click from the starter oftern indicates that there is not enough juice to turn it over. Try to jump it with another fully charged battery. If that works then you've got an electrical problem that is draining the battery. Good luck

 

[MercMonster]

Re: Recurring starter problem gets worse...

Sometimes when the starter solenoid (which usually sits atop the starter itself) is going bad, you can tap on it with a wrench and it will let the starter turn. Don't know your setup, just grasping at straws here to see if that is your problem. Just hooked up the battery on mine yesterday and was having the same exact problem. Took a wrench and tapped the solenoid, tried to start it again and she turned right over.

 

[Don S]

Re: Recurring starter problem gets worse...

HOW TO: Troubleshooting your engines starting system

 

[adegiulio]

Re: Recurring starter problem gets worse...

Thank you all for the responses. First, I am positive the battery is fresh and charged. Sometimes when I turn the key, it starts right up, no problem. The battery is brand new. I've printed out the link on how to diagnose starter problems. It is a great link (though actually seeing the starter is tough). My more pressing issue now is the total lack of electrical power, as if a breaker or fuse has been tripped. As I mentioned, there is a breaker on top of the engine with a wire running from the starter. When I accidentally touched the metal housing of the starter and saw sparks fly, it seems like that breaker tripped, but is now not resetting. I'm leaning toward replacing that breaker to see if it at least restores electrical power to the boat. Nothing using electricity is working, except for the pump that raises and lowers the stern drive, which I assume runs straight from the battery.

Any input on the electrical problem??

Thanks again

 

[MercMonster]

Re: Recurring starter problem gets worse...

Thanks Don! I hadn't even seen the HOW TO section here yet.

 

[Don S]

Re: Recurring starter problem gets worse...

On a 2001, there should be fuse that looks like this mounted on the main terminal of the starter solenoid.
It's a 90A fuse.

When you shorted it out it may have blown.

Merc Monster, there is no How to section here. That's just a post I posted some time ago.

 

[adegiulio]

Re: Recurring starter problem gets worse...

Yes I recognize that part. #27 is a fuse?? I never would have expected that...

Thank you, I think you may have solved it. I'll replace that and report back (for future generations of careless mechanics like me )

 

[adegiulio]

Re: Recurring starter problem gets worse...

Well, I pulled the fuse and tested it. It's definately dead. I'm hoping the local shop has a replacement in stock. Then I can start to figure out the starter problem...

Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Recurring starter problem gets worse...

Just Throw that Fuse Away,+ Attach the Wire Directly to the Starter.......

It's Not at all Necessary.........

As for the original Issue,.......

Disconnect All of the Wires from the Battery to the Starter,+ Clean them,.... Shiney Clean,....
Then reinstall them.....And don't forget All the Grounds as well........

That'll probably Fix it.......

 

[adegiulio]

Re: Recurring starter problem gets worse...

I hear you, but considering I was stupid enough to blow the fuse in the first place, I think I would rather have the protection. I would hate to see what would have blown if that fuse wasnt there...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Recurring starter problem gets worse...

You'd have gotten the Same Spark that happened Anyways........

If for some reason that Fuse blows with the engine Running,......
You'll be buying a New Altenator as Well as the New Fuse............

Do as you Please,.......... It's Your Boat........

 

[88wellcraft]

Re: Recurring starter problem gets worse...

In reference to tapping on the starter....that is a very temporary solution...if you don't get it fixed properly, you'll be out on the water and the tapping won't work. Stranded

 

[Bondo]

Re: Recurring starter problem gets worse...

Ayuh,.........

1 other point to make,.......

You were chasing,+ Checking the Red wires,......

Don't forget to Check,+ Clean the Grounds Too,.....

Grounds,.............Always Forgotten,+ Usually the Problem....................

 

[adegiulio]

Re: Recurring starter problem gets worse...

I replaced that 90A fuse, and it corrected the problem of no power. It was a beautiful evening yesterday, so instead of working to diagnose and fix the starter, we went for a nice cruise on the Hudson. I'll try to fix the starter problem this weekend.

Thanks again for the fuse news...

Anthony