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Think it is the starter

W

wblazer

Regular Contributor
"Hi Guys,
Need some help agai

"Hi Guys,
Need some help again. Put the boat in for first time this season. Docked at slip, shut off and tried to restart. Starter just clicking. Put on jumper pack same thing. I have two batteries on board, they seem to have plenty of juice. I am leaning toward the starter. What do you guys think? If it is the starter. How hard is it to change? Engine 1986 4.3 Thanks for any help any one can give."
 
"Could just be a dirty connect

"Could just be a dirty connection, slave solenoid....best to troubleshoot a bit further before ripping out the starter.

Follow the yellow (yellow/red) lead from the key back and verify 12 volts all the way back to the starter - may need a second pair of hands."
 
"Makomark,
Is the slave solen

"Makomark,
Is the slave solenoid the one mounted on the starter? Or is there a solenoid some where else?"
 
Mounted on front of engine on

Mounted on front of engine on left hand side facing engine.

Jump from large red connection to small yellow wire connection. This will engage the starter solenoid and starter. DO NOT HAVE KEY IN IGNITION
This bypasses neutral safety switch!!
If it still clicks go to starter and jump from large red wire connection to small yellow wire connection and see if starter turns over.

Also check battery connections to be TIGHT especially ground and follow ground to block and make sure it is clean and tight.

Also check main big connector give it a wiggle and retry.
 
"No, Walt, that's the star

"No, Walt, that's the starter solenoid. if you follow the yellow/red wire from the starter solenoid, it should end at the slave solenoid within a short distance ~ 12". (Some of us older folks would say the slave solenoid looks like a "ford" starter solenoid.) The key's START terminal engergizes the slave solenoid which energizes the starter solenoid."
 
"MAKOMARK,

The ford type sl

"MAKOMARK,

The ford type slave solenoid is used on the 170,470 and ford motors only and the body/mounting plate is the ground.

All GM motors use a slave solenoid where one of the small wire connections is the black/ground."
 
KGHOST - understand the electr

KGHOST - understand the electrical difference - I was refering to its physical appearance. You won't see one on a muscle car vintage GM product.
 
"OH.........

I had one on m

"OH.........

I had one on my 72 nova. I hooked up a slave solenoid and had a heat shield to protect the starter (marine high torque by the way) from the heat of my headers........Never had a failure or bad start issue in 80,000.00 miles"
 
ok...as stock equipment...

ok...as stock equipment...

why would you put a slave solenoid anywhere close to the headers?
 
"Not near the headers, I had

"Not near the headers, I had a heat shield to shield the starter and its solenoid.

The slave solenid was mounted to the fire wall and it just allowed the aterter solenoid to work easier due to less votage drop from key switch with the added heat from exhause and a shorter heavier guage wire....."
 
I bet that was easier than upg

I bet that was easier than upgrading the wiring harness.... all straight now - tnx for the patience
 
Thanks for all the information

Thanks for all the information guys. I will try as you suggest and tell all how I make out.

Walt
 
"Guys,
Went to the boat tonig

"Guys,
Went to the boat tonight to check the slave solenoid as you sugessted.The red/yellow wire terminal had 6.5 volts. After several voltage readings the engine started with out me doing any thing.Tried restarts three times,engine started with no problem. Do you think I should change the slave solenoid just to be safe? Thanks for your input.

Walt"
 
Yes; less than $20. The inter

Yes; less than $20. The internal contactor tends to burn up after awhile. Take it apart after replacing it and you'll see what I mean.
 
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