Starter on '95 SN

[brichart]

I have had a few problems with my 95 sn not firing immediately, work the throttle a few times and shazam. Got the boat de-winterized the other day and the dealer tells me that I have a bad starter and that the cost is about $600 to replace. My inclination is that the GT40 is a Ford 351 and the dealer must be smoking something to quote me $600 for a common starter. Let me guess, the starter isn't common is it?

[TRBenj]

RE: Starter on

While a standard Ford 351w unit would likely work, its important to use a marine-specific starter for safety reasons. Still, theres no way a starter is $600, even if that includes the labor to install it. A new one from SkiDIM is only $200, and I cant imagine the install taking more than 1-2 hours. Another option is to have your original unit rebuilt. A good rebuilder can make it as good as new for less than $100.

Just FYI, there are several possible causes for the symptoms you describe. The starter could certainly be faulty, but I wouldnt start replacing parts on a whim. It could easily be a starter solenoid, bad battery, corroded or undersized battery cables, or even fuel delivery problems based on your post. If you can give us a better description of what is actually going on, theres a chance someone here could help with the diagnosis and save you a bunch of $$$.

[Laptom]

RE: Starter on

What TRBenj said... And replacing a starter is really easy... Takes about 15 minutes. Two bolts attached to the engine and 2 wires (and thick one with continue 12V and one small one for 12V starting power).

Goodluck

[DanielC]

RE: Starter on

The starter on my GT-40 is not a normal Ford automotive starter, nor is it wired the same way as a Ford car. Do not go to an auto parts store, and get a starter for a Ford 351. Order one from SkiDim, if you decide you need to replace the starter.

[surroundsound64]

RE: Starter on

If the boat starts after working the throttle, the starter is not the problem. No fuel therefore no start does not make the starter bad.

[coloradonautique]

More details on the symptoms would help us debug. I am wondering what you mean when you say "working the throttle".

If the starter was bad, you would get a slow turnover or no turnover at all and it rarely "works" intermittently. When a starter goes bad, I usually find it's dead for good.

If the engine is spinning but not catching, you have other issues.. either fuel delivery or ignition (spark).

If you get no turnover, play with the throttle, then get it to turnover and catch, my guess is a loose, misaligned or faulty neutral switch. Use a voltmeter to check the neutral switch (on top of the transmission on older models, not sure where on GT-40) when the engine won't turnover.

Good luck and post more info for us.

Lorin

[brichart]

Good feedback. Sorry for the short details. The problem is as Lorin describes, no turnover at all (not even the click of the solenoid)...jiggle the throttle in neutral and after several rounds of that it will fire. The problem is definately intermittent. It may happen once in every twenty starts....but, if the water is cool and the wife is behind the boat....look out, she wants it to fire right away. There's no doubt, it's either starter, solenoid or neutral switch. The starter replacement looks extremely simple, plus I've replaced several on vehicles and this one is uber accessible.

How do I determine if it's solenoid, vs. starter vs. switch?

[Rick]

It really sounds like a neutral switch. It is on the tranny. You could take a jumper wire. When it fails jump the 2 terminals on the switch if it fires then it's the neutral switch. In my opinion that is the cause. A bad solenoid or starter would not suddenly work because you moved the throttle. The other think to do is just replace it. SKIDIM Part number 1241 switch 15.50. 1242 O-Ring 2.10

[surroundsound64]

The start is also the most expensive of the 3 possible parts. Start cheap. Sounds like the switch.

[TRBenj]

It really sounds like a neutral switch. It is on the tranny. You could take a jumper wire. When it fails jump the 2 terminals on the switch if it fires then it's the neutral switch. In my opinion that is the cause. A bad solenoid or starter would not suddenly work because you moved the throttle. The other think to do is just replace it. SKIDIM Part number 1241 switch 15.50. 1242 O-Ring 2.10

I agree- the problem sounds like the neutral switch. It is possible the switch is not bad though- it could very well be a misadjusted transmission cable. If youre on the verge of engaging forward or reverse when the throttle lever is in neutral, the switch may be doing its job.

[brichart]

thanks

Thanks to all....I'll experiment with it this weekend. 90 degrees and sunny is the forecast....I'm breakin' out the spring suit.