Starting Problems Force 125!!!

[cdc19709]

New battery, new starter, clean terminals, good connections, still have problem. When boat has been sitting for a while, you turn the key and it will spin over like it should, try to spin it again after a few seconds, and the starter will not turn motor over. I am totally confused on this one. Any suggestions???

 

[ahanes]

Re: Starting Problems Force 125!!!

Have you checked the condition of the battery cables? Sounds like they may be corroded internally, heating up after the first cranking over and not passing enough current when hot. They may look perfect on the outside and show low resisitance on a cold check, but still be bad. Only way to tell is skin back the cover and check the wire itself. If it's black, replace both cables, and don't forget the short lead from th erealy to the starter.

 

[cdc19709]

Re: Starting Problems Force 125!!!

The only thing I did not do is replace the battery cables. I know they look good on the outside, and the terminals are nice and clean but I guess it could be that. Do you think the starter relay could cause this problem too? I never had a relay that would cause this problem but you never know.<br />Thanks!

 

[sony2001]

Re: Starting Problems Force 125!!!

cdc clen terminals are not as good as LARGE SURFACE connections especially at the battery. On my 125 the quick disconnect ring and wingnut at the battery, the ring hole was so big the wingnut barely touched it. Results are a lot of juice going thru generating a lot of heat, and RESISTANCE.

 

[jim dozier]

Re: Starting Problems Force 125!!!

Ditto what sony said. One day my boat wouldn't even turn over. I checked all the terminals and they seemed tight but I noticed the previous owner had put overly large ring terminals on multiple accessory wires and attached them along with the starter cable to the wing nut on the battery. Result bad connection. Replaced accessory wire connection with properly sized junction box and put new connectors all around and then no problem.

 

[cdc19709]

Re: Starting Problems Force 125!!!

The battery cables loops are the correct size for the battery, so I know that is not the problem. I guess the last thing to try before I take it somewhere, would be to replace the battery cables. I think I will stop by my local marine store on the way home from work and see what they have. I just hate to layout money for something that might not be the problem, like my starter rebuild. I can't believe this happened all of a sudden and has me totally confused. I was suppose to put in to my marina last week but now I don't know when I will solve this problem!<br />thanks!

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Starting Problems Force 125!!!

cdc, do a voltage drop check on the battery cables, attach a volt meter between the battery terminal and the starter terminal, crank the engine and see what the meter shows, check the other cable, the reading should be close to zero, if you get more than about 1/4 volt or so on either cable then the voltage drop from faulty cables is your starting problem,

 

[cdc19709]

Re: Starting Problems Force 125!!!

Slowly Sinking,<br />Wouldn't I get at least 12 volts reading on the meter? Maybe I not getting what you mean.<br />Sorry, not an expert on electrical.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[revertmastec]

Re: Starting Problems Force 125!!!

CDC,<br /><br /> When this happens does it make any type of clicking noise or is it completly dead when you turn the key?

 

[cdc19709]

Re: Starting Problems Force 125!!!

It will first spin over fine, then try to do it again and the bendix engages into the flywheel but the starter won't turn the motor over. The starter makes a strange sound like it't trying to turn or something.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Starting Problems Force 125!!!

cdc, the volt meter won't show any voltage until you try to crank the engine since the voltage will be the same at both ends without current flowing, it's the same as if the wire was connected to nothing, no voltage. Connecting the volt meter to both ends of the same starter cable will show the voltage difference between the ends as the current flows, any reading over about 1/4 volt for a starter cable indicates that the cable has too much resistance for the amount of current the starter motor needs to turn fast enough to start the engine. The cable resistance causes the voltage difference and prevents the high current necessary to turn the starter from getting to the motor, the current simply heats the cable like a toaster. The hotter the cable gets the more resistance and the current is furthur reduced, sounds familar. This was a common problem with GM cars with big engines during the 60-70's, the small wire that activated the starter solenoid got too hot from long drives and the resistance caused a considerable voltage drop which prevented the solenoid from working properly, the problem went away when the engine cooled down, the solution was adding a heat shield or replacing the wire with a larger guage wire.