Starter issue is it broken?

[macr6]

98 3.0L merc

Got down to the boat today and put it in the water to start "fixing" things.

it started right up. I get it into the docks where I am going to work on it and then try to start it up again. Sounded again like the starter hung up. So I tapped it a bit and it started. I shut it off and try to start it again and it did the same thing.

Turn key - "CLICK"

Tap starter

Turn key - "VROOM"

I did this 3 or 4 times and then all of the sudden just "CLICK". No more tapping on it will make it start.

Is this a bad starter or something else? I just got done pulling the starter off the boat. The gear was retracted. The starter is an aftermarket item that is 2 months old. Where should I look or should I Try and get a replacement?

thanks

(Anyone in the market for a half working boat j/k

 

[droptheline]

Re: Starter issue is it broken?

98 3.0L merc

Got down to the boat today and put it in the water to start "fixing" things.

it started right up. I get it into the docks where I am going to work on it and then try to start it up again. Sounded again like the starter hung up. So I tapped it a bit and it started. I shut it off and try to start it again and it did the same thing.

Turn key - "CLICK"

Tap starter

Turn key - "VROOM"

I did this 3 or 4 times and then all of the sudden just "CLICK". No more tapping on it will make it start.

Is this a bad starter or something else? I just got done pulling the starter off the boat. The gear was retracted. The starter is an aftermarket item that is 2 months old. Where should I look or should I Try and get a replacement?

thanks

(Anyone in the market for a half working boat j/k

Sounds like a starter/selinoid to me. bench test it, remove it, get a pair of jumpers and a battery, hook the negitive to the body of the starter where it bolts to the block, touch the positive to the selinoid terminal leading to the starter if it clicks try touching it to the main wire of the starter, if it clicks again its junk, if it works from the selinoid it maybe be your ignition selinoid that is junk.if it works by touchin your wire leading into your starter body u may just need a selinoid but a new starter will save u a ton of frustration believe me i have first hand experience.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter issue is it broken?

Get a Merc oem starter and go boating. I just went thru this on a 98.
3 different aftermarket starters. None of them would work. Put the OEM on and away it went. I don't know why, but the aftermarket starters all hit the flywheel with the housing or would bind when cranking. They also didn't have the bracket on the front of the starter that holds it to the block.

PS: OEM price for the starter was the same or lower than the aftermarkets.

 

[macr6]

Re: Starter issue is it broken?

Get a Merc oem starter and go boating. I just went thru this on a 98.
3 different aftermarket starters. None of them would work. Put the OEM on and away it went. I don't know why, but the aftermarket starters all hit the flywheel with the housing or would bind when cranking. They also didn't have the bracket on the front of the starter that holds it to the block.

PS: OEM price for the starter was the same or lower than the aftermarkets.

Don, you know a place that has them as cheap as aftermarket? That's why I went with the thing.

PS. I hope you get paid for this work. If not you should set up a donation paypal acct. Thanks

 

[ChriKa]

Re: Starter issue is it broken?

Sort of agree with everyone,
I would run a set of jumpers directly to starter while in the boat as long as the engine cowl is open and it is free of gas fumes. I would first do it with JUST THE GROUND to the starter to eliminate the ground... come straight off the negative of the battery and apply the clamp to the starter housing...This should tell you if you have a bad connection.

 

[macr6]

Re: Starter issue is it broken?

I ran through these procedures and it came back fine.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167035

 

[ChriKa]

Re: Starter issue is it broken?

I'm kinda slow but do I understand that you already bench tested the starter and it performed properly?
If so then you have a connection problem. usually ground but you know how that is. I would remove ALL CONNECTIONS and be sure they are clean and that the battery connection is clean then if you can run a test from your switch to the soleniod connection. If you can jump the solienoid then it is most likely a wire or connection....

 

[macr6]

Re: Starter issue is it broken?

Sorry but I am in agreement with Don on this one, get the OEM starter and be happy.

That's what I am going to do, but now I have a brand new aftermarket starter I just bought for 180 bucks that is useless. It's going to be hard convincing the accountant (wife) that I need another one

 

[Gazza1]

Re: Starter issue is it broken?

Easy, DON'T Tell her!!!

 

[ChriKa]

Re: Starter issue is it broken?

Telll me what will you do when you put the OEM in and that does the same thing??
Then the bank will really forclose