Hey guys looking for some advice as I have been chasing my tail with starter problems for a couple years now. The boat occasionally wouldn't crank over. Just click, click, click from starter solenoid. Than seemingly out of nowhere would resolve itself, than the problem would occur again.
Boat is a 2001 Sportster LE, single 951 motor
Conditions
---------------------
Key on ignition, 2 beeps indicating everything OK
Volt gauge reading > 12 volts (12.5?)
Push button, just solenoid clicking.
Cause
-------------------
Problem seems to occur more out on water than on land. We could be out cruising, turn it off for a break, than out of nowhere a no crank. Sounds crazy but true. Normally it resolves itself (impossible?) within some time. Today it started happening, and hasn't cranked since. Not even once I got it home.
Steps I have taken to resolve problem
-----------------------------------
1. New starter solenoid, seemed to fix issue than it would happen again (about 2 years ago)
2. SBT starter, seemed to fix issue but it started happening again (about 2 years ago)
3. New wire from solenoid to starter, seemed to work than started happening again (about 2 years ago)
4. Used but great condition OEM starter, new ground wire from engine to battery (original had corrosion), new solenoid, tested battery at Advance Auto, passed no problem. (end last season)
Everything was going good again till today, I started it probably 5 times on the trailer, no issue. Start it at the launch ramp no problem. Get to a chill spot on water and kill it, no crank again just solenoid clicking. Had to get a tow back to the dock.
1. Volt meter reads good, stereo works, bilge works.
2. Solenoid clicks. I tried jumping solenoid with a wrench, no spark.
3. 2 beeps when key on, everything seems normal there.
4. Starter is nice and tight on engine, wires all seem nice and tight and good condition.
5. Tried smacking the starter with a wrench, no luck. Didn't have tools on me to pull the starter.
6. No sound at all from starter, it has no indication it is trying to turn (ruling out locked motor or bendix trying to hold it back)
7. No sparks or anything when jumping starter solenoid
Jet pump is brand new, spins nice. I can turn the engine over from the driveshaft by hand so the engine isn't locked up. Battery appears to be just fine and it passed test last year, start button/solenoid clicks and seems to work right, MPEM gives standard 2 beep as if everything is fine, ground wire is new, power wire from solenoid to starter is damn near new, all other electronics work good, all connections are tight
I just don't know where to go from here. I have replaced damn near everything even some stuff twice, and this sh*t keeps happening. Any advice?
P.S. On an aside is it weird I spin turn the engine over by hand from the drive shaft with the plugs in? It compression tested 135 on both cylinders with the throttle closed a month ago, and runs strong to 6500 rpm....
Boat is a 2001 Sportster LE, single 951 motor
Conditions
---------------------
Key on ignition, 2 beeps indicating everything OK
Volt gauge reading > 12 volts (12.5?)
Push button, just solenoid clicking.
Cause
-------------------
Problem seems to occur more out on water than on land. We could be out cruising, turn it off for a break, than out of nowhere a no crank. Sounds crazy but true. Normally it resolves itself (impossible?) within some time. Today it started happening, and hasn't cranked since. Not even once I got it home.
Steps I have taken to resolve problem
-----------------------------------
1. New starter solenoid, seemed to fix issue than it would happen again (about 2 years ago)
2. SBT starter, seemed to fix issue but it started happening again (about 2 years ago)
3. New wire from solenoid to starter, seemed to work than started happening again (about 2 years ago)
4. Used but great condition OEM starter, new ground wire from engine to battery (original had corrosion), new solenoid, tested battery at Advance Auto, passed no problem. (end last season)
Everything was going good again till today, I started it probably 5 times on the trailer, no issue. Start it at the launch ramp no problem. Get to a chill spot on water and kill it, no crank again just solenoid clicking. Had to get a tow back to the dock.
1. Volt meter reads good, stereo works, bilge works.
2. Solenoid clicks. I tried jumping solenoid with a wrench, no spark.
3. 2 beeps when key on, everything seems normal there.
4. Starter is nice and tight on engine, wires all seem nice and tight and good condition.
5. Tried smacking the starter with a wrench, no luck. Didn't have tools on me to pull the starter.
6. No sound at all from starter, it has no indication it is trying to turn (ruling out locked motor or bendix trying to hold it back)
7. No sparks or anything when jumping starter solenoid
Jet pump is brand new, spins nice. I can turn the engine over from the driveshaft by hand so the engine isn't locked up. Battery appears to be just fine and it passed test last year, start button/solenoid clicks and seems to work right, MPEM gives standard 2 beep as if everything is fine, ground wire is new, power wire from solenoid to starter is damn near new, all other electronics work good, all connections are tight
I just don't know where to go from here. I have replaced damn near everything even some stuff twice, and this sh*t keeps happening. Any advice?
P.S. On an aside is it weird I spin turn the engine over by hand from the drive shaft with the plugs in? It compression tested 135 on both cylinders with the throttle closed a month ago, and runs strong to 6500 rpm....
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