Battery Starter or Alternator

[jmill75]

Took the boat out about 4 or 5 times since i purchased it. The other day we stopped to swim for a few so i shut everything down. When i went to restart it just turned over and over, after about 10 sec i got a loud screetching sound and then nothing (dead). Tried again, turned over and over and screetch. What in your opinion would be my first place to start, it finally started but barely. Scared to take it back out until the issue is fixed

 

[PBJMAN]

Re: Battery Starter or Alternator

Hi. Here's what I'd do. 1. Charge the battery and/or take it in to a shop and have it tested. 2. Install the battery and check the voltage with a handheld voltmeter, should be 12-12.5 volts. Start the boat (on muffs or in water) and check volts again, should be about 14 with motor revving slightly above idle.
3. Now that you have dealt with the battery or alternator, don't forget to do a tune up, so it won't be hard to start in the first place.

 

[jmill75]

Re: Battery Starter or Alternator

Took the battery to autozone, guy couldnt test it because he said it needed charged first. He charged it for me and it tested ok. Does that mean because it wasnt charged up that its probably the alternator then.

 

[6meter]

Re: Battery Starter or Alternator

I'd say your problem is your starter and a hard start condition. 10 seconds is a long time to turn a motor over to start. The "screetching sound" could be the starter drive disengaging from the flywheel.

 

[libellav15]

Re: Battery Starter or Alternator

after your swim did it sound just like a dying battery? ie the starter motor turning very very slowly?

Just had the very same thing - was convinced it was battery/alternator but both were working fine when tested

decided to pull the starter motor off to check that next having eliminated the obvious - and low and behold the 2 bolts that run through and fix the starter to the block - had worked loose - allowing the bendix to slightly 'twist' and jar on the f/wheel

tightened the bolts - problem solved

worth a look buddy - i couldn't believe my luck - hope yours is as good

cheers

adam