Thread: Motor will not start

Originally Posted by Scrapper

Where did starter come from?? Any type of warrenty with it? That still kind of doesn't make sense. I know a starter can have a bad place on it, where it won't want to start unless it gets bumped...but to be bad that soon? I know it happens.

Did they tell you what was wrong with the starter or did they say it was just bad? I'm assuming it works now?

they guy who is repairing it said my old starter looked like it had been in water which i cant think is possible at least since i have had it. he had to order a new one and is going to have it installed today. i called the place i had the one insatlled in June and they said they would have to send it back to the factory and see if it will be covered under warranty. he said if its been in water they will not warranty it so i told the guy to order me one and install it. i am going to send the old one to the guys i bought it from and see if it will be covered. if so i will have a spare or can sell it. what is crazy to me is it wasnt working and i tightened up the ignition switch and it worked for a week...will see after the new one is installed....

Thats what I was thinking also. Has it ever sat outside with the engine cover off?? Only way I can think it could get water in it. Even then most outboard starters are sealed very well. Did you ever try to just power straight to the starter to see if it would pop off on demand?? I'm not trying to say anything about the mechanic and I know you have already taken it, but it does seem kind of crazy to me. Everything and everyone even agreed it looked like solenoid or the wire going to the solenoid switch.

Wish you were closer to Nashville...we would've tackled this problem! 4 hours is a ways for a starter though. lol.

no it has never sat outside with the cover off..the mech said the brushes were shot and it looked liked it had been wet.. will wait until he has the new starter on it and see if that fixes it. no i never tried jumping it...

Make sure the cables and battery load test ok, either one will burn a starter up quick.

I would also consider replacing pos cable from solenoid to starter as they can get load weary over time.

got my boat back yesterday with a new starter and it turns over like it should now. they gave me the old starter and the thru bolts are corroded and the armature was shorted out. It looked like water had been inside the motor but i dont know how it got in there because it never was outside with the cover off it. i am sending the old starter back to the guys i bought it from and hopefully will either get my money back or another starter. thanks for all the help guys.. crappie.com is an awesome site!!!

Originally Posted by Cardsfan55

It looked like water had been inside the motor but i dont know how it got in there because it never was outside with the cover off it.

On a small motor you likely don't have one, but I once had a water pressure gauge line come off under cowling and it soaked the powerhead. Maybe your "pee tube" is cracked under the cowling? Try running the motor with the cowling off and make sure no water is coming out of anywhere under it.

Buddy of mine had a motor get water in the engine compartment with the cowling on. The way the motor was angled and how he parked it in his yard was just the right angle for water to enter the vent holes in the cowling and run down his ignition system. Explained all the ignition issues he had with the engine. He makes sure his engine is covered with a cover or in a carport. To further protect his electrical system he does like I do and puts dielectric grease on every connection and use brass or stainless hardware along with tinned wire and lugs.