Hesitant starter Volvo Penta 2003

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kalanka

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Recently my starter has begun to sometimes hesitate for half a second or so after the start button is pressed. Sometimes it fails to react at all even with a long press on the button. Batteries are in good shape and well charged. No obvious loos connections. Occurrence is independent of whether engine is hot or cold

The problem seemed to have been fixed by improving the earth on the relay but the problem has now returned. Switching the start battery bank sometimes fixes the problem as does turning the engine manually by a few degrees.

I plan to replace the relay since this is cheap and simple. What do the team think about the need for solenoid and/or starter replacement or overhaul?

Also, I confess I don't know where the solenoid is - can anyone clarify?

Thanks!
 
kalanka said:
Recently my starter has begun to sometimes hesitate for half a second or so after the start button is pressed. Sometimes it fails to react at all even with a long press on the button. Batteries are in good shape and well charged. No obvious loos connections. Occurrence is independent of whether engine is hot or cold

The problem seemed to have been fixed by improving the earth on the relay but the problem has now returned. Switching the start battery bank sometimes fixes the problem as does turning the engine manually by a few degrees.

I plan to replace the relay since this is cheap and simple. What do the team think about the need for solenoid and/or starter replacement or overhaul?

Also, I confess I don't know where the solenoid is - can anyone clarify?

Thanks!
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Check all the connections .

Test for power appearing at the relay when the key is turned to the start position and at the solenoid.

Try cautiously shorting the small terminal on the solenoid to the main battery connection terminal That will prove whether or not the problem lies with the starter motor and solenoid or else where with ignition switch, relay or wiring, Take care it should crank and start!

The solenoid is the cylindrical bit mounted on the starter motor to which the wiring is connected

Refer to the wiring diagram in the owners manual to identify wiring colours etc The red wire should be the positive supply to the panel etc. The red/yellow wire should be the connection from the the panel to the relay and from the relay to the solenoid


Take care of body parts or clothing catching in the alternator drive belt !
 
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try looking at the spindle that the starter engages the starter ting on the engine. If its tarnished or rusty it will not engage properly.
 
robertj said:
try looking at the spindle that the starter engages the starter ting on the engine. If its tarnished or rusty it will not engage properly.
Click to expand...

But that will mean removing the starter motor ??

Do that if testing and investigation points to a problem with the starter.

It'll be made more difficult I think by the heat exchanger on the OP's 2003
 
kalanka said:
Recently my starter has begun to sometimes hesitate for half a second or so after the start button is pressed. Sometimes it fails to react at all even with a long press on the button. Batteries are in good shape and well charged. No obvious loos connections. Occurrence is independent of whether engine is hot or cold

The problem seemed to have been fixed by improving the earth on the relay but the problem has now returned. Switching the start battery bank sometimes fixes the problem as does turning the engine manually by a few degrees.

I plan to replace the relay since this is cheap and simple. What do the team think about the need for solenoid and/or starter replacement or overhaul?

Also, I confess I don't know where the solenoid is - can anyone clarify?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

We had similar problems splashed on a new battery that didn't fix matters.

Buy an exchange starter motor. Bunch in Plymouth do them, not too dear - for a Volvo part. Have to Google.

Resign yourself to servicing the heat exchanger at the same time. It has to come off, well I think so.

You may need a modified Allen key to get the starter motor off.

The joys of boating.
 
Had similar problems with my 2003 with saildrive. It was fitted with a solenoid on both the positive and negative side, as the engine was isolated from the battery negative to avoid electrolysis problems with the saildrive leg. Turned out the problem was this solenoid on the negative side. Easy enough to check, just bypass it temporarily to see if it solves the problem
 
West Coast said:
Had similar problems with my 2003 with saildrive. It was fitted with a solenoid on both the positive and negative side, as the engine was isolated from the battery negative to avoid electrolysis problems with the saildrive leg. Turned out the problem was this solenoid on the negative side. Easy enough to check, just bypass it temporarily to see if it solves the problem
Click to expand...

You are referring to the earthing relay. ITYWF that the OP's boat is shaft driven therefore may not have one.
 
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