2.3L Starting Troubleshooting

[BrokeBoatMI]

Afternoon everyone,

I recently bought a 1990 Four Winns 170 with the 2.3L OMC engine and Cobra outdrive. I have been reading many of the posts on here related to troubleshooting starting issues, and they have been very helpful in getting me familiar with this motor. However I haven't been able to diagnose successfully and get the motor started - here is a list of events:

1) Motor turns over when key is turned 1-2 times, then goes into a single click event
2) Replaced slave solenoid (obviously corroded) - same issue
3) Tightened/cleaned battery connections - same issue
4) Replaced positive battery cable and solenoid to starter cable - same issue
5) Cleaned ground lead connected to motor frame - same issue

Where do I go from here? Today I am going to try to get a better ground connection where the cable connects to the motor, and also verify the starter is getting sufficient voltage to start. One question I had is, it seems that the ground cable from the battery has changed location on the motor - where are these typically connected to the motor? Mine is connected on the motor case that has quite a bit of coating, and no bare metal, which leads me to believe the motor is not properly grounded. The trim, radio, accessories, gauges all work fine, but these have a direct connection to the battery negative lead and don't need to ground through the motor I believe.

 

[diytry]

Re: 2.3L Starting Troubleshooting

When clicking, check for power going to starter, i had to clean terminals and clean brushes and armature from sitting during winter . Salt water requires unforseen maintinance.

 

[BrokeBoatMI]

Re: 2.3L Starting Troubleshooting

So it looks like I will be removing the starter and rebuilding this weekend. I verified 12V or more at the starter terminal, and still unable to turn motor over. I don't believe the motor is frozen or seized, since it will start intermittently. I'll post pictures of what I find.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 2.3L Starting Troubleshooting

Whoa back! Have you had the battery load tested? Your description sounds like a weak or discharged battery. Why not do the simple stuff first before throwing parts at the issue. The battery ground (negative) cable connects to any point on the engine block. The engine is one solid chunk of iron so it doesn't matter where that connection is made as long as the paint has been removed from the area.

 

[Moose truck]

Re: 2.3L Starting Troubleshooting

Hi, from the top of the forum stickies, http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser...ting-your-engines-starting-system-167035.html

It's for a Mercuriser, but your rig is similar. It's helped me w/ my boat.
Here's more info for your OMC

http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser-i-o-inboard-engines-outdrives/omc-information-334348.html

Regards, Moose

 

[BrokeBoatMI]

Re: 2.3L Starting Troubleshooting

Silvertip, my fault I forgot to add checking the battery to the list above. That was the first thing I did - got battery tested at local garage and measured 12.5 volts across the terminals. After changing the slave solenoid, I had 12.3 volts at the stater when ignition key was in the start position, and still only the single click.

Yesterday I removed the starter and found it to be in pretty bad shape. Dirty inside, some rust, brushes worn down. The pin towards the bottom is a pain to get out, and you can't completely dis-assemble the starter without doing so. I think I may try to clean it up somewhat at the top end, and have it on the list to replace the starter before next spring.

One more question, should the starter turn freely by hand when taken off the motor? This one is not turning, and not sure if it's supposed to.

 

[BrokeBoatMI]

Re: 2.3L Starting Troubleshooting

Thanks for all the help everyone, I did get the starter to turn freely, and after cleaning it up quite a bit the boat starts properly now. Here are some pictures from before the cleaning. I'll still be looking for a new starter to install for the springtime, and now I get to think about how to get the boat running smoothly (fix one problem, find another...).

 

[BrokeBoatMI]

Re: 2.3L Starting Troubleshooting

 

[Bulbash]

Re: 2.3L Starting Troubleshooting

Thanks for all the help everyone, I did get the starter to turn freely, and after cleaning it up quite a bit the boat starts properly now. Here are some pictures from before the cleaning. I'll still be looking for a new starter to install for the springtime, and now I get to think about how to get the boat running smoothly (fix one problem, find another...).

I have a good rebuilt starter sitting in my garage with no use... PM me know if interested..