So my starter has always had an intermittent clicking problem. 84 M-18.
I was aware of the known wiring harness and fuse holder issues for these motors documented here on SBO, and for the wiring harness charging circuit documented issue I had proactively replaced the ammeter with volt, and bypassed the charging circuit to charge direct to the batteries.
However, I had also checked the fuse holder at the engine for the solenoid, because of the clicking, but fuse holder looked fine. No corrosion or frayed wires etc. figured it must be a sticky solenoid, even though that specific fuse holder had been identified repeatedly on SBO regarding these older motors as a likely culprit for misbehaving starters.
Not going to replace the holder. Guys on SBO are wrong in my case here.
Anyway, the motor always started. Sometimes it would click, sometimes it wouldn't. When in clicked, I'd just jog the start button till it caught. Figured I'd replace the solenoid if it ever got worse. But it never failed, so I just got used to the clicking.
6 years now. Click click click.
Well, last week at Catalina Island, I wrapped a trash bag up in the prop. Harbor patrol boat came around and cleared it with a boat hook so I could get to a mooring. When they cleared it, they said, "Ok, try it now".
Click click click click. Click click start.
I was embarrassed. Everything on a boat should work properly.
So decided to dig into it all the way and fix whatever it is.
First thing I did was check that fuse holder again. This time, I looked at the fuse. Something odd - Saw it had been arcing. For a long time. (Picture)
Replaced the fuse holder with a heavy marine grade thing I had in stock.
Aaaand.....
It was the fuse holder the whole time.
Motor starts right up repeatedly now. It even sounds different. Like it's engaging faster. A clean snick and start.
I was aware of the known wiring harness and fuse holder issues for these motors documented here on SBO, and for the wiring harness charging circuit documented issue I had proactively replaced the ammeter with volt, and bypassed the charging circuit to charge direct to the batteries.
However, I had also checked the fuse holder at the engine for the solenoid, because of the clicking, but fuse holder looked fine. No corrosion or frayed wires etc. figured it must be a sticky solenoid, even though that specific fuse holder had been identified repeatedly on SBO regarding these older motors as a likely culprit for misbehaving starters.
Not going to replace the holder. Guys on SBO are wrong in my case here.
Anyway, the motor always started. Sometimes it would click, sometimes it wouldn't. When in clicked, I'd just jog the start button till it caught. Figured I'd replace the solenoid if it ever got worse. But it never failed, so I just got used to the clicking.
6 years now. Click click click.
Well, last week at Catalina Island, I wrapped a trash bag up in the prop. Harbor patrol boat came around and cleared it with a boat hook so I could get to a mooring. When they cleared it, they said, "Ok, try it now".
Click click click click. Click click start.
I was embarrassed. Everything on a boat should work properly.
So decided to dig into it all the way and fix whatever it is.
First thing I did was check that fuse holder again. This time, I looked at the fuse. Something odd - Saw it had been arcing. For a long time. (Picture)
Replaced the fuse holder with a heavy marine grade thing I had in stock.
Aaaand.....
It was the fuse holder the whole time.
Motor starts right up repeatedly now. It even sounds different. Like it's engaging faster. A clean snick and start.
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