New season - no ignition!

[Chunkeymonkey]

Hello,

I just tried to start my 2001 Challenger, and it would not fire. When i turn the key, i get the starting beep, but it then just keeps clicking - any thoughts on what this may be?

I also installed a new battery to see if that was it, but it still clicks when turning the key

I have added a video that shows what i mean: https://www.dropbox.com/s/fuat8x9i6u56gbd/IMG_0476.MOV?dl=0 (click on Continue to View)

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer here

ChunkeyMonkey

 

[ksbill]

I had the same experience this week. I am getting a new battery, since my 2014 GTX 155 is 3 years old and has been stored outside over the winter in MO.

 

[Chunkeymonkey]

Hi ksbill, thank you for prompting me, i forgot to add that i had installed a new battery and it still does the same...

 

[Wirenutz]

Check your ground connections on the battery and motor. Still sounds like low voltage.

 

[Chunkeymonkey]

Thanks Wirenutz, I'll put the battery on charge today to be sure.

I just want to be sure I am hooked up right for the ground connections. I have three wires, thick red goes to positive, thick black, and a smaller thinner black, which I think is the ground has to go to negative - is that correct?

I know this basic but she started fine when I shut her down last winter, and taking the battery out was the only thing that changed so I am wondering if I did not hook it up correctly

Thanks again

 

[Tim75]

Check your emergency kill switch. If you still have the OEM, the rubber may not hold the plunger in quite far enough. Pull it off, push it in with your finger, try to start.

 

[Chunkeymonkey]

Thanks Tim. I tried what you suggested tonight and no luck, still the same clicking noise and no ignition...

Going back to the wiring so i can completely rule out me hooking it up wrong, the picture shows the wires for my boat. Just to confirm, does the thinner black wire go to the negative or positive (i was putting it on the negative)?

Thank you in advance

 

[Tim75]

Does your starter solenoid click, but starter not engage? That is-- Does engine crank but not start, or does not even crank?
If solenoid clicks, you may have solenoid or starter problems. Try tapping the bottom of starter with a screwdriver handle. Check for voltage from ground to starter terminal when you turn key to START.

If engine cranks, do you have spark? Check all connections to all coils and grounds. Dr. Honda always asks about your throttle gaudian. It is in the hel box, next to fuse block. Lots of links here about that.

 

[Chunkeymonkey]

Hi Tim75, the engine does not crank at all, it sounds like the solenoid is just clicking and not sparking up (sound in the posted video).

The weird thing is, the clicking sounds like it is coming from the Port side, and i thought the solenoid is on the Starboard side?

 

[Tim75]

OK, after seeing video, that clicking is your electric lift pump. Does the same as a manual primer bulb on a small outboard.
Obvious question- Are you turning the key to START position? It does sound like your battery is connected correctly. Disconnect lift pump wire. Two people- one turns key to START, one feels starter solenoid. Feel for solid thump at START position. Even if you get a solid thump at solenoid, it may still be bad internally. Been there. Did you check voltage at starter terminal? No thump? Possible bad key switch or solenoid. Don't forget-reconnect pump wire.

 

[Chunkeymonkey]

Hi Tim, thank you for checking in with me on this, and sorry for not getting back sooner (have been out of action). I will try the things you suggested and get back to you

Best
Chunkeymonkey

 

[Chunkeymonkey]

Hi Tim, well i swapped out the Solenoid, but still no luck.

I have included another video of what may be the issue. The Starter motor shaft is not lifting and engaging with the flywheel, so i am not sure if this is because i have wired incorrectly, or whether there is an issue with the starter motor now (or something else maybe)?

Here is the link to the video: https://www.dropbox.com/s/g3f2drqckpsj3sd/Starter_not_Engaging.MOV?dl=0

I have also included photos of how i hooked up the Solenoid. This new one had 'S' and 'I' terminals, which the old one did not. I did try with the Yellow and Red going to the S terminal, and the Black going to the I terminal and vice versa, but it still would not engage, so i think it is not my wiring?

Any help/thoughts would be greatly appreciated again

View attachment 40126

 

[marinic]

Ok, this is a great video.

Starter is getting power.. soleniod down there with your picture is good.. (as you're getting power to the starter since we see it spinning)

In your video, you see that gear that just spins.. that should move upwards and contact with the gear of the flywheel above. (which would turn the engine and start it)..
My guess is that is somehow seized.

With the power off.. try moving that up.. possibly by turning the gear by hand (Again, turn the power off.. dont want someone accidentally trying to start the boat).

Usuallly they're on a screw. When the starter turns, it causes it to go up the screw and catch.. once the starter motor stops (and the flywheel keeps spinning since the motor is started), the gear spins the other way back down out of the way.

A new starter will fix this issue, but lets see if someone else knows how to unsieze this part.. as I haven't had to do it.. and not sure if i'd want to be out on the water with the potential of it getting stuck again.. hah.

 

[Coastiejoe]

If any water got to the starter it could be as simple as a TINY rust ring on the starter shaft not allowing the bendix to slide on the shaft. You may have to pull the starter to clean this. You can try a quality penetrate, but it will be hard to get it to where it needs to get to.

 

[Tim75]

Agree with CoastieJoe & Marinic. The starter gear is not engaging the flywheel. It also sounds like your starter is not spinning up (accelerating) as fast as it should. If you remove it, and use jumper cables to test it on the bench, it should almost jump off the bench. Very powerful. Has it ever been submerged? It might need new brushes. They tend to sieze in the brush holders. Brushes are avail., mine cost $12 for new set at starter/alternator shop. No big deal, just needed 3 hands to reassemble. The starter gear is also avail. about $30.

 

[Chunkeymonkey]

Tim75, Coastiejoe, Marinic,

Thanks so much for your help with everything and a new starter did the trick. I ordered a replacement from eBay and fitted it last night, it fired up second turn of the key...

Cannot thank you all enough, have a great summer!

ChunkeyMonkey

 

[Coastiejoe]

Tim75, Coastiejoe, Marinic,

Thanks so much for your help with everything and a new starter did the trick. I ordered a replacement from eBay and fitted it last night, it fired up second turn of the key...

Cannot thank you all enough, have a great summer!

ChunkeyMonkey

If your original starter is an OEM. Open it up and replace the brushes and see if there is a rust ring stopping the Bendix from engaging. OEM starters are a MUCH better quality than aftermarket starters.