starter only clicks
 

Hi everyone,
For about the last 6 months, my starter has gotten more problematic. When I turn the switch, it just clicks. I think that is just the solonoid closing. I can turn the switch on and off for maybe 25 to 50 times, and it will eventually turn the engine over. I can put a screwdriver across the terminals on the starter and it sparks when it makes the connection, but does not turn the engine over. This should remove the solonoid as a problem. Is this my starter going bad?
thanks,
Greg

Have you tried this while running lights and other accessories? If not, give it a try. If you find that your lights dim when you turn over the key, then it could be something as simple as a poor ground or battery connection. If the lights don't dim, then I would suspect the starter.

Either a bad starter or low voltage. Low voltage can be caused by the battery itself, but that would most likely be ruled out of the boat eventually starts fine. More likely is a bad connection on one of the battery cables, or the battery cables themselves (corroded). Check every single connection from the battery to the motor to the solenoid to the starter, both positive and ground. Make sure theyre tight and clean, with no evidence of corrosion (green or black on the cables themselves = bad). Clean and tighten them all just to be safe. Dont forget your connection to ground through the starter case to bellhousing as well.

If the cables or terminations look bad, then replace them with a new set- make sure there tinned with good sealed connectors, and dont cheap out on undersized wire.

^what he said. Charge the batteries well, check voltage at the batteries and at the starter.

X2 on what TRBenj said. Always start with the basics. All connections need to be clean and corrosion free. Be sure to take each one apart and clean........looking clean and being tight don't get the job done.

starter
 

I put a new battery in this summer thinking it was the battery. It didn't help.
I guess I will get mine rebuilt.
thanks for the help.

I think you're jumping the gun on going straight for a rebuild. Throwing the battery didn't fix the problem, the starter might not be it either. You are most likely dealing with corrosion somewhere here, although it could be within the starter. When is the last time you cleaned all the battery terminals? Also a reminder to apply a little dielectric grease to these connections before re-assembly to help ward off any future corrosion.

Note: cleaning the terminals should be done on an annual basis to avoid no-start problems.

You can take the starter to almost any autopart or autoparts electrical rebuilder shop to have it tested iirc... benchtest will determine power overdraw if bad or something else wrong...what year boat - engine?

^^+1 great advice

Agreed 100%. I don't know what kind of boat it is etc but on mine it is a pita to get the starter out/in. I've jumped the gun before, spent 8 hours screwing with it arm deep under an engine, and it turned out to be a bad batt connection. Clean the terminals, check the wires, and check your voltage at the starter and the battery. If you are getting a signifigant loss you have a problem before you get to the starter. Some info on what boat it is would help also.

BTW when you start throwing parts at a problem you rarely get a solution. I've found out that it just compounds the problem 100x and costs 2x as much. Focus on basics and work up.

Also just an fyi just b/c the battery was new does not mean that it was fully charged and ready to go when you bought it. If you don't have a multimeter get one. They are about 13 bucks at your local hardware or big box store. I've bought "new" batteries and checked them...........not fully charged.