boat wont start

[spdbrd1998]

I tried to start my sea doo and the starter would stay engaged so I changed the starter solenoid and now the starter is no longer stuck engaged but is stuck up I try to start the engine now and it will spin the flywheel but boat wont start and starter won go down stays in the up position, is this a starter problem now ? Shouldnt the engine start even if the starter is stuck in the up position ?

 

[Coastiejoe]

In theory yes, it should start.

That said, low volts can cause this.

I would charge the battery fully and give it another try. Also, it is not uncommon for the Bendix to fail which will also keep the starter engaged.

If you remove the plugs you should be able to spin the engine in reverse a bit, this will often get the Bendix to disengage.

If after you charge the battery and it still happens, get a load test on the battery and post the reading for us.

EDIT, after I typed this I realized it was a Merc engine setup. What I described above was for two strokes. I do not know if you can turn a Merc engine in reverse. Therefore I would suggest you do what I recommended but turn the engine in the normal direction only.

I'm sure Dr Honda will jump in and give some advice on this setup.

 

[Dr Honda]

Coastie: It's kind of the same. The solenoid is just a contactor, and the starter Bendix is just inertia based. SO... if it's stuck, you can grab the flywheel, and turn it... and it should drop.


SpdBrd: What engine and boat do you have do you have? (2000 can be the year, or the model) If you have an EFI or Di engine... they are very sensitive to voltage. AND, it's possible to have enough power to crank, but not light the computer. Please post the S/N of the engine.


With that said... the starter should drop. I would say, the starter needs to come off... be cleaned, and oiled... and re-installed.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I was specifically wondering if it is ok to rotate the Merc engine in reverse?

2 strokes don't care, some 4 strokes do.

 

[spdbrd1998]

The boat its a 2000 sea doo challenger 2000 and it has the Mercury 240 EFI

 

[spdbrd1998]

I just tried turning the flywheel by hand but that thing just spins and it stays stuck up and the battery is fine its actually a new one I replaced it just in case cus it was under warranty but still the same

 

[spdbrd1998]

Ill follow Dr Honda advice and remove the starter clean it and oil it and hopefully the boat will crank then ill post the results.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I agree. Next step is to remove the starter.

 

[Dr Honda]

Coastie: Yes... it's a typical 2-stroke. It doesn't care if you manually turn it forward, or back.

SpdBrd: Regardless if the starter drops... you are right... it should still fire. But, it needs a little love to get going again. Once it's off, you can pull the nut off the snout of the starter, and you can take the Bendix apart. Just give it a good cleaning, and put a little grease on the shaft. Also, make sure the spring on the front is still good.


As far as the battery being new... Don't assume it's good. Over the years, I've seen a lot of bad, new batteries. So... once the starter is back together... put a meter across the battery, and watch the voltage while cranking. it needs to stay above 10.8v. Also... most new batteries need a good charge before being used. You never know how long they've been sitting.


If the voltage stays up... then you need to check for a spark, and fuel pressure.

 

[spdbrd1998]

Dr Honda so even with the starter stuck boat should had start right ? but is there a chance that since it was stuck maybe it was not strong enough to crank the engine up ? By the way im taking it off on Wednesday is my day off

 

[Dr Honda]

OK... I'll keep an eye on your thread on Wed.


Nope... not a chance of the starter holding it back. You have 6cyl's and 240 hp. It would fire... and go. In the process... it would either:

1) Get the bendix to drop
2) Get the bendix to freewheel. (there is a one-way bearing it the base of it)
3) Or, spin the starter so fast, that it would throw the winding.

 

[spdbrd1998]

Ok Dr Honda and thanks again so most likely it wont start even after fixing the starter so I did check the battery and it was at 12.4 volts while trying to crank it I also check the plugs and I had spark on all 6 of them im not to familiar with the fuel system but I did change the water fuel seaprator yesterday and noticed that it inly had a very small amout of fuel in it and last year when I changed I remember it was full of fuel, is this normal ?

 

[spdbrd1998]

Also I have about 10 gallons of fuel left on the tank that should be enough to work too but the yellow light is steady on as soon I I open the ignition but no beep does this means anything ?

 

[Dr Honda]

It should work with 10 gal in the bottom.... but who knows, the pickup could be cracked. I would put in another 10 gal before massing around.


Since you have spark, and fuel flow could be at question.... start at the beginning.

1) There is an electric lift pump on the side of the port side of engine. (square, and where the fuel line from the tank hooks to) There is also a relay and fuse right beside it. SO... take the hose off the top, and have someone crank the engine. (it only runs while cranking) You should have fuel pump out. If not... check the fuse and relay. Also, the fitting on the bottom is a filter. I would change it.

If the pump is running, and you don't get fuel... take the hose off the bottom, and try to draw fuel up the feed hose.

2) I would change the big spin-on filter. If it's plugged... it will keep fuel from getting to the vapor tank.


Once you verify that the lift pump is working... it will take a little time to fill the big filter, and fill the vapor tank.


3) If you know the fuel is flowing, check for pressure at the schrader valve at the regulator, on top of the vapor tank.

if there isn't any pressure there, after knowing 100% for sure, that there is fuel in that tank... test the high pressure pump.

 

[spdbrd1998]

Hi Dr Honda thanks for all the help here is my update I looked at the fuse it was good I took off the relay but I have no idea how tto check a relay so all I did took it out looked at it blew on it wipe it clean put it back on and after this soon as I put the key on the ignition I got a beep again which I was not getting before and it cranked right on now im thinking I should get a new realy ? just to be on the safe side .Also after it the boat cranked up the starter did drop like u sayd so im still taking it out tomorrow and clean it like u told me too also thanks again for that

 

[Coastiejoe]

A poor connection can easily create a no start condition.

Maybe you got lucky.

With that said, one if the most common no start issues is a poor connection or bad wire. Specifically a battery wire. It would not hurt for you to remove them, clean the ends, put dielectric grease on them, then reinstall them. Especially as you will have the hard to get ones in your hand when you pull the starter.

 

[spdbrd1998]

Cool thanks Coastie I didnt think about that but ill do that also

 

[spdbrd1998]

Final Update I cleaned and greased the starter as advised by Dr Honda and clean and greased all the wires as advised by Coastie and boat its up and running like a champ again thanks for all the help

 

[Coastiejoe]

Final Update I cleaned and greased the starter as advised by Dr Honda and clean and greased all the wires as advised by Coastie and boat its up and running like a champ again thanks for all the help

Removing and cleaning the wires the right way are not fun,,, But worth every effort just to hear it start and run...

 

[buckeye_paul]

Final Update I cleaned and greased the starter as advised by Dr Honda and clean and greased all the wires as advised by Coastie and boat its up and running like a champ again thanks for all the help

It's great to see the update and how the problem got solved. So many times, a problem gets lots of advice for a fix but no update is given as to what actually cured the problem. Thanks from all of us!