2003 115 v4 yamaha starter problems

[Jeffrey Green]

Turn the key and you can hear the solenoid clicking but the starter want do nothing,its like it is locked up.Have checked safety switch,neutral position,put 12 volt jump box on starter to try and jump past solenoid and it still does nothing,does this look like starter is bad.Any help would be nice.

 

[JB]

Re: 2003 115 v4 yamaha starter problems

Starter might be bad, Jeff, but it is much more likely that you have a corrosion problem in the heavy wiring.

Remove both battery cables, carefully clean both ends and check for weak or swollen spots.

The worst offender is where the battery ground cable bolts to the engine block. That is why jumping +12v to the starter doesn't work. . . it is trying to use the bad ground connection.

Good luck, and let us know what you find.

 

[Jeffrey Green]

Re: 2003 115 v4 yamaha starter problems

Thanks I will look at that ,great idea.Used boat in salt water in october and had'nt been in fresh water but once since then.Run great last Sunday,but this past Sat.it would'nt hit a lick.

 

[Jeffrey Green]

Re: 2003 115 v4 yamaha starter problems

Wires look good.

 

[JB]

Re: 2003 115 v4 yamaha starter problems

Looking good is not good enough, Jeff. Poor connections can look just fine and be tight as a drum.

Did you clean the connections?

 

[robert graham]

Re: 2003 115 v4 yamaha starter problems

Just like the battery terminals on a car, all connections have to be removed to inspect and clean. The corrosion isn't always that white, powdery stuff, sometimes it's just a very thin layer of "dark stuff" where the wires connect. A wire brush and a 3M Scothbrite scrubbing pad works great and then a thin layer of grease to keep moisture out. Good Luck!

 

[Jeffrey Green]

Re: 2003 115 v4 yamaha starter problems

They are clean and tight ,took off and cleaned.Cables have no bad spots or humps in them.

 

[99yam40]

Re: 2003 115 v4 yamaha starter problems

Did you hook the jumper cable neg to the starter case and then touch the pos jumper to the starter pos post to see if it will spark and try to turn?
If it will not at that point it maybe the brushes are wore out and not making connection anymore or a winding has opened,but that is rare
You can pull it and have it checked out and repaired at a started / alternator shop. or at least make sure it is bad before buying a new one. Auto Zone maybe able to test but not find out what is wrong
I have seen more solenoids not make good connection internally than anything else,except battery connections, outboards and automotive included