starter help

[8my$]

I have a 71 150. After running fine all day I turned the key and the starter stayed up engaged with the flywheel.Managed to get it back down, but after that it wouldn't do anything. The starter may have gone, but I never had a starer die like that before. No warning.Any ideas? Those starters are expensive.Thanks

 

[8my$]

Re: starter help

I jumped the starter and I think it's fine. Maybe the solinoid? How can I test it? Not as expensive, but I still don't like to waste my money.Thanks

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: starter help

Sounds to me like the solenoid stuck and cooked itself while it was stuck. Make sure the solenoid is grounded good and then run a jumper wire from the batt or a known hot wire to the small post on the solenoid. If it doesn't engage, it's toast.
Mike

 

[8my$]

Re: starter help

I'll give it a shot.It has two small wire posts.Doe's it matter which one to power up? Thanks

 

[TwoFish]

Re: starter help

Yes it matters.

One post will be ground (usually with a black wire). Touch this one with power and you will get a dead short and lots of sharks. Not good!

The other one will be the power in from your ignition switch (most likely yellow or yellow/red). This is the one you want to get power to. You can bridge power from the heavy positive IN terminal on the solenoid to the smaller positive terminal on the solenoid. You should at least get a clicking sound from the solenoid or better still the starter will work.

Have you checked to see if the ignition IN wire on the solenoid is getting power when you turn the starter switch? I don't have a wiring diagram for your motor but some of the later motors have a circuit breaker or a fuse. You may have tripped the circuit breaker or blown the fuse.

Good Luck

 

[capri1600]

Re: starter help

It's not that uncommon to hang a starter once in a while on these old engines. I'm betting you popped the circuit protection and that the starter is probably ready to be replaced. But, TEST for 12V at the solenoid when the key switch is turned. If yes, test for voltage at the starter. If no, work towards the keyswitch.

 

[8my$]

Re: starter help

I should have time tommorow to chase the electrical demons. I'll post my findings.Thanks

 

[8my$]

Re: starter help

Well it took a few days to get back to the boat. I jumped the solinoid and it worked. I tried the key and it worked.Now after breaking on the water(trolling motor to the dock),I don't even know what the problem was. Any ideas? I hate electrical....

 

[TwoFish]

Re: starter help

My guess is you have a voltage drop problem with the yellow switch wire going to the solenoid. Over time the wires & the ignition switch degrade and won?t allow enough current (amps) to reach the solenoid. The current getting to the solenoid is marginal when the wires are cold but when they heat up they can no longer carry enough current. May be why it works now it has cooled down.

I had a car once that wouldn?t start when it was hot on very hot days. Changed the starter cleaned battery terminals but still no good. Took it to an auto electrician & they fitted a rely on the switching circuit from the ignition. This relay takes the pressure off the switch and gives the starter solenoid a much stronger current. Much easier than running new wires to the switch & back. It was fine from then on.

For the time being I would clean all the wires connected with the staring circuit. Make sure the solenoid earth wire has a good ground. Check the negative wire from the battery where it bolts to the motor as well. If you have a multi-meter you could check the resistance of the wires. Use the ohms setting & the wires should read 0.00.

If it happens again try jumping the heavy power IN terminal on the solenoid to the switch IN small terminal (yellow wire) on the solenoid. This will have the same effect as if you had fitted the relay. MAKE SURE BOAT IS NOT IN GEAR. This would indicate a voltage drop in the switch circuit.

Hopefully cleaning the wires will do the trick.

Good Luck