Volvo Starter Motor Not Engaging (SMOKE - PIC)

[TwinRudders]

Just tried to test the Volvo Penta 2003 on the Moody 336 we have just bought.

Startor Motor was having real problems turning the engine at all, both batteries fine and fully charged.

Tried a few churns - stopped. Then noticed smoke coming from a wire going into the starter motor. (SEE PIC)

Left it a few minutes then tried again - started fine. Engine fine.BUT - stopped it and tried to start it and this time it couldn't budge it at all - just jammed. Then tried again and all you get is a fast whizzing sound coming from the starter motor - like an electric drill sound.

What does that sound like to you? Sounds like the motor is turning but not being engaged to the engine to me...?

Thanks for any ideas.


J

 

[Chris_Robb]

Looks like you need a rebuild of your starter motor - worth having the peice of mind of a rebuilt unit. It is quite easy to get off, provided you have the special alen key to undo the bolts (needs to have rounded ends).

Happened to me when I bought my new (old) boat last year. All I can say is thank god itchose to do it at the start of the delivery trip!

 

[VicS]

Definitely not engaging with the engine. I suggest you take the starter motor to an automobile electrician but there might be something obviously wrong with the pinion assembly that you'll see when you get it off.

Worst case scenario is that there are some teeth missing from the ring gear, hope not but take a look at it when you have the motor off.

After looking at the ring gear without turning the engine make sure you can turn it OK by hand. Decompressed of course. Once turning check the ring gear all the way round.


BTW disconnect the batteries before you start removing the starter motor. Make a note of the positions of all the wires you disconnect around the motor.

 

[omega2]

The bit you are indicating is the solenoid, disconnect the battery, the disconnect the cables from the starter motor, check for bad connections, clean them with emery cloth and refit them. Try again if no improvement then the motor needs looking at. Looks like a bit of crud just below,

 

[warrenmarkus1]

Starter motor spinning without turning the engine over indicates as mentioned previously the solenoid is not working properly. The solenoid is simply an electromagnet that pushes the starter motor gearwheel in contact with the ring gear around the flywheel causing it to turn and start the engine.
The basic problem with your engine though seems to me to be the starter motor brushes and their contacts on the armature. wire wool will clean them, or you can just take the starter motor to an car starter motor/alternator rebuilder who will service the whole thing for around £50

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
The bit you are indicating is the solenoid

[/ QUOTE ] I don't think you are right there. the solenoid is the bit up and to the left a bit with the big terminal, and guess the main battery cable on it.

I don't know what that little bit is*. I've been looking at the parts diagrams and have not identified it. Quite a number of different starters fitted to the 2001/2/3 series.

*I do now, its just a cover over the connection to the brush set!

 

[VicS]

I have also discovered that it is a motor with a reduction gear box so it is possble that something has broken in there.

 

[William_H]

The wire getting hot and the smoke would normally indicate a bad wiring connection. Remove the wire from the terminal. (disconnect or turn off battery) and clean all the contact area and mke sure the wire is sound in the terminal.

The starter not engaging is a bit more difficult. Certainly better power supply through a good terminal may help.
Some solenoids both mechanically push the pinion into the ring gear and make electrical contacts to make the starter spin. Other types rely on a spiral spline that uses the initial inertia of the rotating stater to shove the pinion into the ring gear. I suspect yours is the former type.
If the non engagement problem reappears then the problem is probably corrosion on the sliding parts and an overhaul clean up is required. good luck olewill

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
Some solenoids both mechanically push the pinion into the ring gear and make electrical contacts to make the starter spin. Other types rely on a spiral spline that uses the initial inertia of the rotating stater to shove the pinion into the ring gear. I suspect yours is the former type

[/ QUOTE ] It is indeed a pre-engage type of starter. All those fitted on this engine range are. Look at the parts diagrams!

 

[boatmike]

Photo is a bit blurred so I can't see, but the "smoke" sounds like it's either an external bad connection or something burning out. My guess is the former and I agree with those who say remove connections, clean and replace. Smear connections with Vaseline before re-assembly. If it does not work properly after that take it off and check the gear and worm for rust, broken springs etc. If that does not reveal anything take it to the doctor. It's got an internal disease.

 

[MoodySabre]

Mine wouldn't start for exactly that reason. Take the starter off and I bet you will fing that the positive lead from the solenoid into the starter has corroded or the soldering to the tag has gone. I just had my tag soldered back on and it was a good as new.

What happens is that the resistance on the wire goes up so the amps getting to the starter fall right off. Re-soldering it reduced the resistance, amps went up and engine started easily.

 

[Billjratt]

WhiLe you've got the starter motor off, Check the teeth on the flywheel for wear - usually just a couple, as it stops in the same place most times. You'll get a hint from the condition of the teeth on the starter pinion.

 

[Chris_Robb]

[ QUOTE ]
Quite a number of different starters fitted to the 2001/2/3 series.


[/ QUOTE ]

Some were double insulated - in the early 2003 T

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
Check the teeth on the flywheel for wear

[/ QUOTE ] I already said that! It's called the ring gear.

 

[TwinRudders]

Thanks for all your help.

Couldn't get the allun key required to get the S/M off on a Bank Holiday Monday - but before we bought the boat we had the engine surveyed by a marine enginner company who gave it clean bill of health - so they have agreed to have a look at it.

From what I have read sounds as if the bendix isn't working? There is now a click - which I guess is the solenoid then just the high speed whirring of the S/M - but no cranking.

Hopefully they can sort it - if not I will get it off and see if it's anything obvious like the connections - then take it for a service/exchange.

J

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
Hopefully they can sort it - if not I will get it off

[/ QUOTE ] It needs to be taken off and sorted properly even if its only the solenoid or the gear sticking.

BTW it is not a bendix type gear. They are only on inertia type starters not pre-engage type. They are the things that used to jam on old fashioned cars!