Won't start - hot battery posts!

[JustJason]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

nahhh... better off pulling the plugs and looking at them... and spinnig the motor and seeing what that looks/sounds like.

 

[newport dave]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

To borrow Don's quote that the "crystal ball is out of order", we don't have enough info to make any good guesses here.

Well...I will have to disgree. The symptoms described are very distinct and indicate 600+ amps moving through the starting system. The only thing that does that is a starter that is engaged to a engine that will not turn over.

 

[Don S]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

There has to be a HUGE electrical load to make the Battery cables move, but they will, I have seen it before, on locked up engines.

 

[JCF350]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

Ok, I have what seems like a dumb question. Here is what my battery connections are like:

4 Ga. Red attaches to the large positive post with a clamping battery terminal. The battery terminal is in pretty bad shape, however it worked last season. The bolt that clamps the terminal is rusty, and it has a wingnut. When I tighten that wingnut has much as possible, the terminal still jiggles on the post very slightly.

4 Ga. Black attaches to the small negative post. No clamping terminal on the wire. A wingnut screws onto the small post.

So, my dumb question is... should the ground/negative wire be attached to the large post?

 

[Don S]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

Basically he has some cables to check, some things to tighten up,. That is about 15 minutes of work total, that CAN NOT be done while setting at a computer. .

 

[ribblette]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

Sorry for the delay. I work, and my boss doesn't think "I need to work on my boat" is a valid excuse for missing work. Go figure.

So, I cleaned every possible connection, and tightened everything using stainless steel nuts. No wiggle in any connections.

Now, when I turn the key the I get the same click noise. Maybe it's a clunk? I don't have enough experience to know the difference. The positive battery cable still moves. However, the terminals do not get hot, and there is no smoke.

Now what? Don's ignition troubleshooting?

Thanks again for all the help. I am new at all this and need all the help I can get.

Lesley

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

Put a wrench on your crankshaft pully, and see if you can turn the engine manually.

 

[Don S]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

Pull The Spark Plugs Out And Try It !!!!!!

 

[ribblette]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

Ok, here we go..

I pulled the plugs and they look horrible. The electrodes are all black.
I can turn the crankshaft pulley with a wrench.

When I turn the key, I am getting the same behavior, click noise and the battery cable moves.

So, I guess the fact that I can turn the engine manually is a good sign?

 

[Don S]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

The fact that they are black and the engine cranks by hand means there isn't water in the cylinders. That's a good thing.
I would pull the starter and check it out or take it somewhere and have them check it.

Time to try this
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167035

 

[Coors]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

Sorry for the delay. I work, and my boss doesn't think "I need to work on my boat" is a valid excuse for missing work. Go figure.

So, I cleaned every possible connection, and tightened everything using stainless steel nuts. No wiggle in any connections.

Now, when I turn the key the I get the same click noise. Maybe it's a clunk? I don't have enough experience to know the difference. The positive battery cable still moves. However, the terminals do not get hot, and there is no smoke.

Now what? Don's ignition troubleshooting?

Thanks again for all the help. I am new at all this and need all the help I can get.

Lesley

That moving cable should be looked into; still a bad connection, or is the battery anode loose?

 

[Don S]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

or is the battery anode loose?

What the 'ell is a battery anode?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

What the 'ell is a battery anode?

Well...its the negative post of the battery. Just not called that very often in an automotive or marine context.

Glad its not a seized motor!

Question...has the starter in this boat ever been submerged in water?

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

Positive cable moves.....
I wonder if the starter bolts got loose and it's jammed/tweaked????
Does the motor move like the cable? slight tilt?

 

[ribblette]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

I will start stepping through your guide tomorrow, as I need a helper to turn the key and my usual helper (my husband) is out of town. I can solicit a friends help tomorrow.

One more thing I just noticed... the coil is warm. It's been atleast an hour since I turned the ignition key, and the coil was still warm to the touch. That's strange, I think.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

Also...what is the age and condition of the battery...fully charged?

 

[Coors]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

What the 'ell is a battery anode?

Cathode, excuse me. A battery terminal. +

 

[ribblette]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

The starter motor is not moving. I just checked it out, and it is solidly bolted on. It does look old like it has probably never been removed. As far as I know the starter has never been submerged, but I have only owned the boat for 1 year.

Also, my starter solenoid is not mounted at the starter motor. The solenoid is mounted on a plate with the trim solenoids on the port side. Then, the cable runs from the starter solenoid over to the starter motor on the starboard side.

I really need a helper to turn the key so that I can see exactly what is moving. From the driver's seat all I can see is the battery cables.

 

[Coors]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

Do you mean that you can move the battery wire?
A moving wire is not good.
Do you mean the wire flexes, but is tight to the battery terminal?
All wires must be clean and tight. Period.

 

[ribblette]

Re: Won't start - hot battery posts!

wires are clean and tight, the wire flexes. Sorry for the confusion.