'89 Tristar dead in water - on labor day wknd!!

[michiganTristar]

Hoping someone can help out here! 89 Tristar 351, new battery, started right up drove across the lake and shut it off to suit up and then just 'click', sounds like the solenoid is engauging. tapped on the starter still no avail. the most noticeable thing is that the power lead wire (heavy gauge) running from the solenoid to the starter was extremely hot after only three short attempts at starting it. If i let it sit for a long time and the wire to cool and i hit the key the engine will spin about 2 degrees then stop again.

Thinking about getting a new starter today just looking for reasoning why it would just up and stop working and make the wire get so hot so fast?

Also i replaced at the start of the season all the leads that go to the battery and solenoid and starter so no corosion there.

[thatsmrmastercraft]

Originally Posted by michiganTristar

Hoping someone can help out here! 89 Tristar 351, new battery, started right up drove across the lake and shut it off to suit up and then just 'click', sounds like the solenoid is engauging. tapped on the starter still no avail. the most noticeable thing is that the power lead wire (heavy gauge) running from the solenoid to the starter was extremely hot after only three short attempts at starting it. If i let it sit for a long time and the wire to cool and i hit the key the engine will spin about 2 degrees then stop again.

Thinking about getting a new starter today just looking for reasoning why it would just up and stop working and make the wire get so hot so fast?

Also i replaced at the start of the season all the leads that go to the battery and solenoid and starter so no corosion there.

Sounds like you have it narrowed down to the starter. It wouldn't hurt to have the starter tested before you buy new, but sounds like you have it handled.

[DooSPX]

FYI since we are all talking about starters, etc. I replaced my starter w/ a Arco mini the other week for slow turn overs when hot or after sitting for a while.
here is how it went...
replaced starter- tried to start, click-click...
tried brand new battery that was on a tender- same deal
checked all positive and negative connections- same deal
all sourced back to the starter relay- replaced- seemed to fix it with out a hitch, super fast turn overs

for the heck of it, I broke apart the relay and the positive lead was hardly making contact with the plate behind it. You can see just a very small part of the lead was making contact.

Not saying thats your issue, but check in the order of this...

1. check all positive and negative power cables going from the battery to the relay to the starter
2. try a different battery
3. check neutral safety switch
4. check kill switch
5. starter
6. relay

[LYNRDSKYNRD]

Can you get the starter relay from auto parts store? thinking of changing mine for preventative measures.

[thatsmrmastercraft]

As a general thumb rule, I always replace the solenoid when replacing a starter. Used solenoid goes into "known good parts box".

[michiganTristar]

Can you replace the starter with a standard starter from the auto store/also the solenoid in that case, if so does anyone know what the part numbers are. All I can find is skidim's parts and really don't want to waste this weekend off the lake. Only number I have is "59-2007" and "75-5005"

[LYNRDSKYNRD]

You need a marine starter, I do know that, they are sealed so your boat won't explode.

[LYNRDSKYNRD]

Originally Posted by thatsmrmastercraft

As a general thumb rule, I always replace the solenoid when replacing a starter. Used solenoid goes into "known good parts box".

I replaced starter two seasons ago but not soleniod...

[DooSPX]

I do not know if you can get the relay at an auto parts store. I ordered mine from SkiDim. 27 bucks

[j.mccreight@hotmail.com]

Originally Posted by LYNRDSKYNRD

Can you get the starter relay from auto parts store? thinking of changing mine for preventative measures.

Yes your local auto parts store should have them, just take it with you so you can match it up. If you tell those guys it's for a boat they always have a puzzled look on their face, the last one I replaced I got from advanced auto and went with the motorcraft heavy duty type iirc less than an andrew jackson.