www.iFourWinns.com

Can anyone let me know when a starter goes out, what are the symptoms?
I believe my problem is the starter. My batteries are good and freshly charged but when I turn the ignition switch, all I hear is a loud "click". I cleaned the connections to starter & battery, but getting the same click.
Thanks in advance...once again
Terry

Sounds like the starter to me. Though hard to reach due to its location, you can sometimes tap the starter with a hammer and it will work.

The starter is on the lower starboard side of the engine and if you get too much water in the bilge, the starter can get wet and rust easily.

They are about $250 for the marine version at Napa.

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

Thank you Captain! Yes I did try to tap it with a hammer, but no luck. I recently did have a bilge pump issue and that would make sense.
Only problem that remains is getting to it and removing the buggar!

I had a Mechanic friend who did it for $25 and a case of beer!

I do not know how he got in there. I have to imagine a long breaker bar as I know the bolts were rusted.

Umm forgot the plug in salt water OUCH!

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

It could also just be the starter solenoid, which is only about 30 bucks, or the assist solenoid....
Was the starter cranking normally, but then you just get a click now and then?
I replaced the solenoid on my starter last year for the same reason. The drain for the exhaust manifold is right above the solenoid in many applications and it will rust the terminals real fast if it drips water on it (salt water here)....

I also replaced the assist solenoid to be on the safe side. I'm lucky, I can get at the starter and have it out in 15 min. I have a spare one in the garage and a new one on the boat right now. So if there's a problem I can easily swap it out...

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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

+1 on the solenoid. One way to verify is jumper between the 2 big terminals with a large screwdriver or a jumper lead - it should crank over. This will then isolate the problem to the solenoid or the entire starter.

If you really want to save money, and the fault is isolated to the solenoid, open the solenoid up and clean and flip over the brass bar on the inside that shorts the terminals together. This brass bar is normally the problem.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Thanks all for your input. What's the secret in removing a starter in 15 min? Do I have to remove any hoses, etc.. to get to the bolts? And while we are on the bolts...are there 2, and are they located at 9 & 3? Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks again.

What engine do you have? V-6, V-8 or inline 4? Merc, or OMC?

The way I do it is to remove the rear seats, disconnect the battery neg cable if you don't have a batt switch, and slide back the battery if it's on that side. Then I take something like a thin air mattress for camping and put it on the deck so I can kneel down next to the the engine. I use a long handled 1/2 drive ratchet and deep well socket so I can reach the starter mounts. You have to disconnect one big connection (bat +) and 2 smaller connections on the solenoid. Take a digi pic first so you don't mix up the smaller ones. To make it easier (these starters are heavy) tie a line around the body of the starter, and have a helper hold it up while you loosen the bolts. They are under the rear of the engine on Chevy small block V series engines. There is also a front mount that you have to remove. On some boats you may have to remove the exhaust manifold to gain access, I am lucky my boat is easy and wide open there....

_________________
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

I have a Merc/OMC 4.3 engine, 1986. Facing the bow, my starter is on the left hand side of engine. Maybe I should drink a case of beer first! LOL!
Thanks again.

which one, Merc or OMC? It is an OMC drive (Cobra or Stringer, with a Merc engine?) Well it doesn't matter for this job because the starters are the same, but some of the starter circuit wiring is a bit different...
Keep one thing in mind, you do NOT want to break those starter bolts, if you do it will ruin your day (days, because you likely would have to pull the engine out)...
Some new starters come with shims, if the old one has shims you might want to use them, mine did not and I left them out and had no problems. Seeing as how you have an older boat, the access is probably OK. The newer ones have all this infernal molded in glass around the engine that serves no purpose but to make the mechanics job harder. That's why I won't ever buy a newer one. Any vehicle that is made hard to repair does not see my driveway....

_________________
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

It is a 4.3 OMC. I will give it a try. Thanks for your help!

Well.....I couldn't get the starter out. The 2 bolts were either frozen or I didn't have the right tools. My 1/2" drive along with a good soaking of WD40 didn't do the job. A breaker bar or pnuematic tools probably would have done the job.
Any suggestions for a stubborn, cheap as*apprentice mechanic?
Thanks again!

Are you sure you were trying to turn them the right way, they are facing up, not down and that can get confusing sometimes....
If you have room you can put a cheater pipe over the ratchet handle but be careful.

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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

Thanks Lou for the suggestion of the cheater pipe! Yup, I also am aware of the bolt facing up and the direction to turn. Righty-tighty-lefty loosey! LOL! Will keep you posted!
Thanks,
Terry

Finally got the starter out! I had to use a cheater bar (Thanks Lou!) to get the bolts loose. You also have to be a contortionist to get to the bolts. Besides the scrapes and bruises I got, (small price to pay) I thank all of your for your assist!