Bad Starter Switch?

[jedowden]

Hi all,

As I hang out on the hook in Glorietta Bay, enjoying what's left of Labor Day Weekend, I figured I would try and solve a few problems with my new boat.

1). Whenever I go to start the engine, after heating the glow plugs of course, I would say I have a 50/50 chance that the momentary starter switch will work. With about 4-6 tries, it will usually engage the solenoid, and everything is fine. When it fails, I just get a click sound. Does this sound like just a bad momentary switch?

Thanks in advance,
Josh 

[Stu Jackson]

Josh, sounds suspiciously like a wonky starter fuse holder.  Have you read the Critical Upgrades topic?  Reply #15: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5078.15.html

[prh77]

If the click sound comes from the starter, I would say it is a bad starter or battery connection issue. It could also be a questionable ground (at the block bellhousing area).

[Roger Blake]

Haven't worked on the starter on the boat, but on Chevy engines, when that happened, it was the starter solenoid that had gone bad. I just it apart, rotated the disk inside, and it was good for another 50,000 miles. BUT, as I said, I've never worked on our boats' starter motor, so don't know how they work...I'm sure it will be a project in the future.

[Ron Hill]

Josh : You have to look at a few items.

First, check that you have good connections in the fuse /holder to the starter solenoid.  Take some light sand paper and touch up the ends of the fuse and contacts inside the holder.  Squirt in some "Tuner Cleaner" from Radio Shack on the contacts.
Second, check to see if you have a bad starter switch.  Make a momentary contact between both poles on the back of the switch.  The starter should crank.
Third , make sure that your battery cables "everywhere" are clean and tight.  I'm a heretic, but I believe in soldered connections!!!

Keep us posted on your success/failure.  A thought

[jedowden]

Thanks guys, I will give those things a try this weekend. BTW, when I pulled off the rubber boot, and buried my thumb into the button, as far as it would go...it started every time, first try. For some reason, the rubber boot won't let me go "deep" enough into the switch. I sure hope that's all it is...I've got too much money to spend on fancy electronics to be buying new starters...

[Ron Hill]

Josh : It now sounds (from your most recent report) as though you might want to invest in a new starter switch. 
You shouldn't have to push the starter switch in more than about 1/2" to get the contacts to engage. 
A thought

[kss1220]

Josh:

I have had the same exact issue until I upgraded the wiring harness and replaced the amp meter with the volt meter on the engine panel. Starts everytime now. I believe I sent you an email referencing this to check out prior to purchase so maybe you already have verified this was done by the PO. If not it will give you the symptoms you discribed and is a huge potential fire hazard as written up many times. Kelly Steck - Puffin