starter: sudden power loss?

[Benz Mondi]

In starting the motor for testing, I finding lately that at times the starter with engage and turn the motor but sometimes it just stops in the middle of an attempt and will not. When it doesn't the whole engine is dead. I mean when I turn the key on, my gauges don't work and I have complete silence. I only have the battery leads hand tight so I loosen the leads and retighten after which everything works normally. Even when I use a wrench to make sure the leads are tight the same symptoms occur. I then resort to changing out the battery for one that I use for the trolling motor. All is fine afterwards. The funny thing is, the battery that now seems to work WAS the battery that was hooked up in a prior failed attempt.
Each time the motor goes dead, I make sure that I haven't tripped the circuit breaker.

Do I have a connection problem?
Battery issues (I use a voltmeter and know that I have at least 12.25 volts each time I have a problem)?
Do I have a starter solenoid problem?
Do I have a starter problem?


Thanks,

AL

 

[Jiggz]

Re: starter: sudden power loss?

The best way to fix this problem is when the problem is actually happening or to remedy it even without the problem occurring is to overhaul all connections, i.e. negative cable from the battery to engine block, positive cable from battery to starter solenoid, short cable from solenoid to starter and small red wire from solenoid to terminal block in the cowling. Disconnect each cable one at a time, wire brush clean them until shiny and also their mating or connecting surfaces and reconnect. If problem persists, continue cleaning red wire all the way to the ignition switch that connects to the "B' terminal and re-tightened.

 

[Benz Mondi]

Re: starter: sudden power loss?

The best way to fix this problem is when the problem is actually happening or to remedy it even without the problem occurring is to overhaul all connections, i.e. negative cable from the battery to engine block, positive cable from battery to starter solenoid, short cable from solenoid to starter and small red wire from solenoid to terminal block in the cowling. Disconnect each cable one at a time, wire brush clean them until shiny and also their mating or connecting surfaces and reconnect. If problem persists, continue cleaning red wire all the way to the ignition switch that connects to the "B' terminal and re-tightened.

Turns out that I actually have an issue with my 30 year old ignition switch. There seems to be a "sweet spot" where if I turn the key to Start the motor all the way counter-clockwise until it won't go any further the starter will engage and then stop suddenly. However, if I every so slightly let it come back slightly or don't turn it all the way counter-clockwise, the starter engages constantly and normally until I release the key. Time to consider a replacement or even a new configuration where I trigger the choke via another switch and then only need to turn key to engage the starter. I think the whole "push down, while turning the key to start" design is at fault. I think most subconsciously turn the key harder when it doesn't start when you think it should. Like pressing the buttons on the TV remote harder when the dam think doesn't switch channels fast enough thinking it will make a difference (when actually it's a weak battery)... am I the only one?