replacing a starter?

[jackkloepfer]

..On a 96 super sport.

I'm getting full power on everything, even charged the battery manually before heading out. I'll get a "whirrr" sound when the key is turned halfway, then a "click" when I turn it fully, then nothing.

This happened a couple of isolated times, but has become more and more common, to the point where I had to try several times before getting it to start yesterday. BUT, when it does finally turn over, it starts with no hesitation, reinforcing the notion that it is not a power issue.

This is my first boat, so I naturally want to learn as much as I can as I go along. So, is this something that I should take a stab at?

Thanks in advance.

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: replacing a starter?

Chances are that it is the starter RELAY that is bad. It is super-easy to change, and only costs about $30. Do a search here for starter relay.

[jackkloepfer]

RE: replacing a starter?

Thanks, Jeff. I'll search it now.

How can I be certain that it is the relay?

[jackkloepfer]

RE: replacing a starter?

where is a good place to get a replacement in a hurry, assuming the starter/starter relay is bad?

also, I keep my boat at home, so how would I have bring the boat to the lake to test the starter?

[AuMDLST]

RE: replacing a starter?

I keep my boat at home, so how would I have bring the boat to the lake to test the starter?

Is that a question? You can hook your boat up to a hose to test - better yet you can try to start and see if she fires without anything, don't let it run for more than a few seconds.
I would say that a starter relay is an inexpensive item to buy for testing unless you are familiar with jumping out relays. Worst case you have a new relay when you buy the new starter.
Best case you have a new relay!

[jackkloepfer]

RE: replacing a starter?

correction, "would I have to bring my boat to the lake..."

sorry bout that one.

[jackkloepfer]

RE: replacing a starter?

What do I look for in a relay? eg, ask for a Ford relay, ask for a Marine relay?

[AuMDLST]

RE: replacing a starter?

Possibly this - http://www.shopwhitelake.com/starter...-solenoid.html

[DanielC]

RE: replacing a starter?

The above post is probably the wrong part. The above part is used as a starter relay on some older Ford cars, but it is not a starter relay, on our boats.
The starter on the boat is more similar to a GM starter. There is a solenoid on top of the starter. When the starter is engaged, the solenoid pulls a lever, that moves the starter pinion into the flywheel. There is also a contact on the other end of the solenoid, that closes the starter circuit to the battery after the pinion is engaged in the flywheel. The engine then cranks, and when it starts, it kicks the pinion back away from the flywheel. The pinion also has a "ratchet" in it that allows the starter to drive the flywheel, but will spin freely when the flywheel tries to drive the starter. This "ratchet" sometimes goes bad, and that allows the starter to spin without cranking the engine.
I suspect this is your problem. Not the above relay.

[nms1991]

RE: replacing a starter?

the way to check and see if it is a relay or the starter is to check the yellow/red wire from the relay to the starter and see if you have more than 10 volts at the starter when it is trying to crank the engine and nothing happens, then it is the starter. But if it has less than 6 volts while cranking and nothing happens then it is the relay.