Starter
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2018 7:49 am
While at the dock, I started the engines just because I am heading to the yard in a week or so, and wanted to make sure there were no problems. Good thing I did. The starboard engine was making a very strange noise, sort of a moaning sound. I thought it was a belt, so I had a look. It looked fine, but was still making that noise. It took me a minute or so to decide to shut it down and then look some more.
When I tried to shut it down, it restarted. I took a few seconds for it to dawn on me that the starter had not disengaged. I ran down to the starboard berth and turned off the battery. Then I was able to shut down the engine. The starter was very hot. The next day, I tried to start the engine, but it barely turned over. The battery is new and showed 13 volts, but the voltage may be misleading. I think the starter is probably toast. Maybe the battery survived.
There were some interesting comments online. Usually, this happens in cold weather when you have to crank the engine longer than usual. The solenoid heats up and sticks with the starter engaged. Not the case here, the engine started in about one second. One guy, a truck driver, was sleeping when his rig suddenly started. In his case, there was a short in the ignition switch. Bottom line is keep your start batteries turned off when away.
I found a starter online for about $100. I have heard that they are hard to remove and install. I will have to reschedule the haul-out or be towed over there. It's only two miles and we have towing insurance that covers everything you can imagine.
I have never heard of this happening to anyone after 20 years of boating. Anyone had this problem or replaced a starter?
Tim
M/V 068 Expatriate
When I tried to shut it down, it restarted. I took a few seconds for it to dawn on me that the starter had not disengaged. I ran down to the starboard berth and turned off the battery. Then I was able to shut down the engine. The starter was very hot. The next day, I tried to start the engine, but it barely turned over. The battery is new and showed 13 volts, but the voltage may be misleading. I think the starter is probably toast. Maybe the battery survived.
There were some interesting comments online. Usually, this happens in cold weather when you have to crank the engine longer than usual. The solenoid heats up and sticks with the starter engaged. Not the case here, the engine started in about one second. One guy, a truck driver, was sleeping when his rig suddenly started. In his case, there was a short in the ignition switch. Bottom line is keep your start batteries turned off when away.
I found a starter online for about $100. I have heard that they are hard to remove and install. I will have to reschedule the haul-out or be towed over there. It's only two miles and we have towing insurance that covers everything you can imagine.
I have never heard of this happening to anyone after 20 years of boating. Anyone had this problem or replaced a starter?
Tim
M/V 068 Expatriate