No start one click

[Cgod14]

1997 gti 720 single carb
changed the carbon seal then tried to start the ski. I did not test before hand as it ran fine 3 weeks prior. When you press the start button you get one loud click and nothing happens. Tried the screw driver trick on the starter solenoid and nothing. Pulled the starter and went connected straight to battery does nothing. Battery was tested and is good. Is the starter bad or just I check something else?

 

[artr]

The starter probably needs the brushes replaced and the commutator cleaned. Before opening it I would check a couple of things. See that the bendix gear is retracted on the motor shaft and does not appear jammed. Try rapping a few times on the starter with a screw driver handle or hammer and see if it then spins when you connect it to the battery. Even if it does spin then the brushes still need replacement. If you did not have your battery load tested, you could try jumping the starter while it is out of the ski for a second to your car battery to make sure it is not the battery before you open the starter up.

 

[Cgod14]

The starter probably needs the brushes replaced and the commutator cleaned. Before opening it I would check a couple of things. See that the bendix gear is retracted on the motor shaft and does not appear jammed. Try rapping a few times on the starter with a screw driver handle or hammer and see if it then spins when you connect it to the battery. Even if it does spin then the brushes still need replacement. If you did not have your battery load tested, you could try jumping the starter while it is out of the ski for a second to your car battery to make sure it is not the battery before you open the starter up.

Battery is good on load test. When I opened the starter up water came out lol. I assume when the carbon seal failed and water came in it got into the starter.

 

[artr]

That's unfortunate. If the starter is the original OEM starter, I would examine the internals to see if it might be saved. If it didn't corrode, pull out the armature and post pictures of the windings, the commutation section ( where the brushes contact) and the brushes. Maybe they can be dried out, cleaned up and tested for continuity of the windings. From everything I have read on
the forum, you are much better off with an OEM starter than an aftermarket one.

 

[etemplet]

Remove the spark plugs and turn the engine over by hand. Make sure it is free. Starter is probably bad but you could have a ground issue. Good Luck.

 

[Jtamaro]

I just went through the same recently when I replaced my wear ring.
(It’s basically very tight to turn and the motor cannot crank). Remove your spark plugs, try cranking. Very important!!! - Check the torque of the 4 main nuts that secure the jet pump assembly as you may have the jet pump on a slight angle which is causing it to jar. You need to get the impeller to turn a few rotations. Also spray some silicon lube on the wear ring up to help it with that initial start. Once you free it up and motor is running you will bed in the new wear ring and it will be fine.