www.iFourWinns.com

After picking up a fallen skier today, I turned the key and had a series of clicks. My guess is that the starter is done. Any more experienced opinions care to weigh in???

After sitting for about 20 minutes, trying the key periodically, I was able to get it started again. We didn't turn it off until it was on the trailer, at which point we tried again and it wouldn't start.

At least it happened on the last run of the long weekend, so no time on the water was missed. Just a minor inconvenience when packing everything up.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

Check your battery, cables, and starter connections first. I changed the starter on my 4.3 a couple of seasons ago. Not really a bad job, got a nice MES marine starter for about 150 or so and spent about an hr hefting it up under the engine till I could get the bolts started. But mine was definitely toast (smoked when I started it to winterize it at the end of 2005).
***and here's a caution, always disconnect the neg cable first, when working on the starter, because if you don't and the pos cable from the starter touches any part of the engine, you will get a nice big SPARK in the bilge! I always disconnect neg first (then no return path to ground) and then disconnect pos cable. When reinstalling, connect pos first, then neg. That way once again, if you touch a grounded piece of metal with the pos cable, if the neg is disconnected, nothing can happen. OF course if you have a bat swith you can just switch it to 'OFF' and be safe!

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Rob, I'd think the battery would be as suspect as the starter.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Battery? The battery has a full charge and is securely connected. However, I did notice that there was water on the battery (it's under the jumpseat by the ladder). Could the terminals have become wet and caused the starter to not receive power and make the clicking sound that we heard?

Somehow I got it started after waiting, but then it wouldn't start the next time we tried. Only when I went to remove the plug did I notice that the battery was wet.

_________________
-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

I know it sounds like a dumb question, but are you certain it's charged fully and that the connections are all clean? Being wet shouldn't have hurt anything.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I checked the battery connections when we got home tonight and everything was snug. As for being charged, the gauge reads 12v when I turn the key 1/2 way. When I turn the key to start is when I get the clicking sound.

I had started the boat 4 or 5 times previously this morning without any sign of an issue. It also showed no signs of trouble Saturday or Sunday starting numerous times since we did about 4 hours of watersport activities each day.

_________________
-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

Could just be the solenoid, which is much cheaper than a whole starter.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

You really want to check the batt with either a digital multimeter or an old fashioned hydrometer. The hydrometer can spot a weak cell that would not show on the dash gauge. Open circuit voltage on a normal batt should be about 12.7 volts.
One other thing, the drain for the manifold on many 4.3s is right above the starter and if it's not tightened the terminals can get really rusty in a short while. When you put in a new starter it's a good idea to spray the terminals with Corrosion X or similar after you put them on.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

My guess - the starter motor solonoid is shot. Pull the starter, replace the solonoid, then put the starter back on. Solonoid should not be too expensive, and an interestng way to spend the afternoon! Most important of all, disconnect your battery before doing anything

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

I would say the battery also. Take it to an autozone (or similar) and have them do a battery test. When my Solenoid went out, there where no clicks or anything. Turn the key and NOTHING happened. I jumped the solenoid and it would start every time. The solenoid is only $20 though compared to what a starter would cost, if you wanted to give it a try.

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Troy
2008 Centurion Avalanche
1994 Four Winns Horizon 180 SE 5.0L OMC Cobra (Sold)
2002 Ford F150 Harley Davidson Edition (http://www.nhtoc.com) 378 hp & 465 tq at rear wheels
2008 Honda Accord EX-L w/Nav

I'm going to start tonight by checking my battery out. Would connecting it to the charger give me any info, or is there another test that would need to be done on it?

My battery was brand new last year, which is why I had my doubts that it could be the battery, but as I learn more I'm willing to check anything. The real strange part is that I was able to get it started after waiting a bit, but then it wouldn't start again.

I've looked up rapid clicking with starters and everything I've read points to low voltage from the battery and to check for loose or corroded connections.

Word of caution...I am not a mechanic, but am interested in learning how some of this stuff works. I appreciate all of the pointers

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

A newish battery should reduce the odds that it's the problem, but it's good to be aware that vehicle batteries have a fairly high defect rate. Couple that with the fact that batteries used in boats live a very hard life, and it's easy to see that you can never rule out the battery.

When you turn the key to start, your starter tries to draw a massive amount of current from the battery. Any bad connections, whether they be corroded, dirty, or just loose, can reduce the amount of current that is able to flow all the way to the starter and solenoid. A reduced current can result in the solenoid just "trying" to engage (possibly the clicking sound), while the starter itself doesn't have enough to do anything.

It's always possible that your starter is shot. Assuming it's original, it's getting a little age on it now. But a new marine starter isn't cheap, and even if you bought one you'd need to rule out any problems with the battery and all related connections, so you might as well start with that.

Checking the battery with a multimeter will tell you with certainty how much voltage (but not current) is available at the battery. That will at least tell you for sure that you've got at least 12 volts to start with (and give you some idea as to the accuracy of your dash gauge, a nice bonus). Checking each individual cell in the battery with a hygrometer will tell you if you've got a bad cell. A 12V reading on a meter does not rule out a bad cell, but a bad cell could/would effect the amount of current available. Hygrometers are available at WalMart or any auto parts store and cost a couple of bucks.

On a related note, if you ever need to add water to a battery, use only distilled water.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

get the battery load tested first, it may drop in voltage when under load, then pull starter and then have that tested as well. Just my opinion

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2006 FW 203 FS
2005 Dodge Laramie 1500
2003 CRF 247F SuperMoto racer
2001 CBR1100XX

I agree with waytoo fast. 12 VDC on the battery does not mean it is good.
Have it load tested at a autoparts store before spending the time and money to replace the starter/solenoid. You could do a simple load test yourself by turning on a few items on your boat (dash lights, spotlight, cabin light etc) and while there on try to start it. if those lights dim considerably or go out the battery is bad

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Bridgewater, PA
2008 Vista 318

I had the battery tested at Auto Zone and it read 100% under load.

Tomorrow night I'm going to check the starter connection with the battery cable for corrosion and clean those up with a wire brush. Then I'll hook the battery back up and try starting on the muffs.

_________________
-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX