VP 2020 starter motor problem

[brians]

Went to the boat today and engine would not start.

Starter motor seemed to be working but did not engage with the flywheel. Loud clicking and clattering but no turn over.

Is this likely to be the starter motor, solenoid or dud battery which is quite old and done good service but was perfect up until now.

I am on a swinging mooring so not easy to remove battery to test.

Any ideas appreciated.

 

[VicS]

The first thing to do I think is to check the battery. When was it last fully charged?

Simplest IMO is to measure the volts after it as sat idle for at least 12 hours with no load and no charge.

Very roughly take 12.7 as fully charged and 11.7 as flat
If you have a hydrometer and the battery has removable filler caps then use that as well or instead of the voltmeter.

If the battery is OK and shows 12.5 or more volts then check all the connections. Battery terminals, isolator switch terminals and connection to motor. Negative connections as well as positive.

It may be necessary to look at the isolator switch for a volts drop, the solenoid for bad contacts or even a dodgy starter motor itself. The battery volts under load.

Systematic checking, easy things first is the key I think.

 

[DaveS]

Entirely agree. I wasted a lot of time a couple of years ago trying to cure the mechanical problem I was convinced my starter had. It turned out to be a loose engine frame / battery negative connection which, once spotted, took under a minute to fix. Methodically tracing through: battery voltage, then voltage on starter, etc. then, only after electrical problems have been eliminated, consider mechanical issues, is the way to go.

 

[tillergirl]

I had exactly this mid season last year on my 2030. Did everything VicS suggested - still nothing until we checked the terminals on the back of the starter motor which had not been touched since new. Now it was one of these, apparently tight and as new which was making a poor connection. As I recall - and I am having trouble, it was the terminal you could not get at right next to the block. I believed I had solenoid failure, removed the starter motor and took it ashore to my friend out local motor mechanic before I traced the fault.

 

[William_H]

From the problem description it apears that the starter is simply not getting enough power. If the pinion engagement is a problem it gives a very distinctive whiring sound of the starter spinning at high speed with no load.
This is indicative of corrosion and crud impeding the movement of the pinion into the ring gear.
If it clunks in but results in no more noise then probably low power to the starter motor stalling it. good luck olewill

 

[TiggerToo]

[ QUOTE ]
I had exactly this mid season last year on my 2030.

[/ QUOTE ]
so did I. By all means do the systematic checks suggested by VicS, but because it is so easy try the connections at the back of the solenoid.

By the way, VicS, is there a way to prevent this from happening? I mean preventing the connections from the flimsy spades from failing?

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
is there a way to prevent this from happening

[/ QUOTE ] Without being able to inspect one that is giving trouble it is difficult to say.

If the problem is due to corrosion then a smear of Vaseline might do the trick after cleaning up and refitting. Silicone grease maybe?

If the connections are working loose maybe a locking nut if the terminal thread is long enough or simply a shake proof washer or better a spring type self locking washer. The snag though would be that anything made of steel would need good protection from corrosion or the situation might be even worse in the long term.

 

[tillergirl]

My failure was bizarre. No spade terminal, nut and spring washer seemingly tight and clean (if old if you know what I mean). But removed, 'cleaned' - ie made bright and it worked fine.