1998 SPX starter issue

[tallazguy]

I have a 1998 SPX with a newly reman'd SBT motor. Runs great. Till yesterday. No electrical at all. Turns out the ground wire going to starter broke off. Sanded terminals and replaced with 4GA automotive ground wire. When attempting to restart, starter won't turn over motor. I get a chunk... chunk... chunk... as the starter attempts to spin the flywheel. Starter spins motor fine with spark plugs removed. Charged battery overnight with no improvement. Swapped batteries with other ski with no improvement. but other ski still works fine. Same outcome when jumping solenoid. Battery provides 12.5V under load. Any possibility the ground issue caused a starter motor failure? Or solenoid current handling capacity to degrade? Just coincidental that the positive cable is now having issues? Pulling apart positive cables now for inspection, ohming and terminal cleaning. Im stumped!

 

[mikidymac]

Sounds like a typical bad starter. Do not buy an aftermarket starter. Just install new brushes in the OEM starter.