Boat stalled, now starter won't turn over

[jwharan]

My boat stalled. I slipped the lever into reverse as i turned the key and the gear caught, when i let go of the key, and placed it back in neutral, the starter will not turn over. I get kind of 1 click, and that is it. This happens each time I turn the key. any ideas? Thanks. 18' bow rider, 1997 4.3L mercrusier I/O. Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: Boat stalled, now starter won't turn over

See if this will help.<br /><br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=012808;p=1#000000

 

[jwharan]

Re: Boat stalled, now starter won't turn over

I ran all the tests in the above post, and everything came back with a successful test. The post says that it must be the starter. Does anyone else concur? What should I try next?

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Boat stalled, now starter won't turn over

If you followed the tests in order, carefully, then yes, I agree, it is the starter. Just a reminder, you need a MARINE starter, not an automotive starter.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Boat stalled, now starter won't turn over

Did you try tapping on the starter case or rocking the motor manually just a little? Never had it happen in a boat but we used to have it happen in trucks where the starter drive would get in a bind on the flywheel ring and it would lock up temporarily. Loosening the bolts that hold the starter and shaking it a little would usually fix it too. Just a thought....

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Boat stalled, now starter won't turn over

I had the same symptoms in the past and it was the starter seloniod.1 click each time and it semed to be coming from the seloniod at the front of the motor.I replaced the front seloniod and that was not it.Replaced the starter seloniod and voila!!!! Charlie

 

[DaveM]

Re: Boat stalled, now starter won't turn over

Make sure you are not hydro-locked. Those 4.3L V6 engines have a pesky habit of sucking in water whenever they cough and spit. Just a thought.

 

[jwharan]

Re: Boat stalled, now starter won't turn over

took out the starter and moved it around, then put it back in, and now all is well.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Boat stalled, now starter won't turn over

Hopefully it was just a bad contact or loose connection.Keep everything tight and put some di-electric grease on the connections.Dont jump the gun and think the problem is solved.Starters like to fool you and work for a week or two and then go on the fritz again.Charlie

 

[jwharan]

Re: Boat stalled, now starter won't turn over

Well it happened when I jammed the shifter into reverse while, starting, so I won't be doing that again....