Changing Starter on AQ131a

[Ryanpm6774]

I think I may need a new starter for my 1986 volvo Penta. I usually have to turn the key three times to get the starter to engage. When it doesn't engage, it makes a fast whirring sound as if it were not contacting the ring gear. My questions is,
1. Do I need to replace the starter with the exact same marine starter or could I use an automotive one?
2. How hard is it to replace one? I am handy but no mechanic, are there any common pitfalls to be aware of?

Thx,

 

[Don S]

Re: Changing Starter on AQ131a

Sounds more like a dead/really weak battery or loose corroded cable ends.

If it is your starter, DO NOT use an automotive starter. They are not spark protected inside and could become an explosion hazard.

 

[Ryanpm6774]

Re: Changing Starter on AQ131a

I have a two battery system. I have been meaning to get a deep cycle battery anyhow as we shut off the engine and play the radio for a few hours at times. Should I take it out and take it to an auto shop to get it bench tested? What would I be looking for to tell if it were bad? Missing Teeth? Also, is it pretty easy to put in or out?

 

[Don S]

Re: Changing Starter on AQ131a

The best thing to do is take to a local shop in your area that specializes in starters, alternators, and electric motors. They have the equipment to repair and test your starter and it will be like brand new when done. Much cheaper than you can buy the cheap, junky, off shore starters.

As far as batteries, get a meter and check the battery and see what the voltage is before you crank it. Should be around 12.5 or above. If it's down to 12v, that is a dead battery.

 

[Ryanpm6774]

Re: Changing Starter on AQ131a

I will post a status update shortly. Thanks Don. Helpful as always!

 

[dennis461]

Re: Changing Starter on AQ131a

I will post a status update shortly. Thanks Don. Helpful as always!

Try a jumper at the solenoid, My boats getting old and the connector in the original wiring harness has weak connections creating too much voltage lost from battery to key switch. I plan on upgrading the wiring soon. Mine take two-three tries with the key switch. A jumper from battery to the solenoid connector makes the starter sound like it's brand new, click, bang, vroom.

 

[Ryanpm6774]

Re: Changing Starter on AQ131a

Well, I called a company to get estimates on rebuilding/refurbishing my starter and the person was very helpful. After talking to him, it sounds like I may have messed up my starter by adding the second battery and using both to start instead of starting on one only. He said the starter may only be 12v and I am sending 24v using two batteries to crank. I do this because the mechanic I talked to when I added the switch told me to "never turn from battery 1 to both while the engine is running. I'm not sure what his reason was. So I was cranking on both batteries so that they could both charge while I was running on the water. The guy said that with so much power going to the starter it may be throwing the spindle out too far. Does this sound correct? And if so, do I need to get it tested or do you think it will be fine if I only use one battery to crank from here on out as it still worked on two every third shot? One good thing is that I have a good maintainer that I plug in every time I come back home so both will get fully charged after each day on the water.

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Changing Starter on AQ131a

Ryan,
You have a few things going on here that we need to breakdown.

He said the starter may only be 12v and I am sending 24v using two batteries to crank

If you wired them up in series, then yes you would have 24V. But, I highly doubt that because I think the starter would be the least of your worries as you would likely be seeing stuff start burning. Series means that the pos of batt no.1 is going to the starter, there is a jumper wire running to neg on batt no. 1 to pos on batt no. 2 and then the neg on batt no. 2 going to ground. Again, DO NOT do this!

The correct way and surely the way you have it is in parallel where you have both batt negatives going to ground, the positives going to switch of which the common is going to the starter.

"never turn from battery 1 to both while the engine is running.

This is true. NEVER change the setting on the switch while the engine is running as this will immediately kill your alternator. (unless the interrupter is wired up, when in doubt then just don't do it)

So I was cranking on both batteries so that they could both charge while I was running on the water. The guy said that with so much power going to the starter it may be throwing the spindle out too far. Does this sound correct?

This is fine and is what I do every outing. Sorry, but this guy wasted your time. The spindle can only go so far and then stop, if you were to apply more voltage it could not come out any further.

One good thing is that I have a good maintainer that I plug in every time I come back home so both will get fully charged after each day on the water.

Lastly, be careful with maintainers. They can actually ruin batteries. They are fine for fully charged batteries, but if you are using them to charge the batteries, this will actually kill the batteries in due time. I would actually recommend a smart charger designed for our batteries.

Lets move on: You need to check all connections and take them off one-by-one and clean them till there sparkly clean and reconnect. If the problem persists, then take the starter off and take it to a reputable starter shop. Good luck!

 

[FIREBALLMCNAILZ]

Re: Changing Starter on AQ131a

If you can jump start it from your car and it starts ok it will most likely be your starter motor it is simple to replace three wires and two or three bolts just note where the wires go write them down ... And it is easy to sort your self buy new brushes from ebay cost around ?12 at the most and watch youtube videos "HOW TO REPLACE STARTER MOTOR BRUSHES) they show you how to fit them easy as pie

if you cant find brushes you may need to take the old brushes out and measure them and just buy them as in the size

 

[Ryanpm6774]

Re: Changing Starter on AQ131a

Thanks for all the info. The batteries were in parallel configuration. The batteries tested fine. The ground wire was a little corroded so I cleaned it reattached. I will take the starter to get bench tested and let you all know.