Starter Issue...What Does this Sound Like ?

[Uncle Bob]

Had a similar problem with my engine's starter- slow to crank and start sometimes-cleaned and tidied up the battery connectiions, both battery and starter ends and problem has not re-appeared, touch wood.

[Chief Engineer]

Why is stuff so expensive in Australia?

Is "hosing people" a sport down under?

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Chief Engineer

Why is stuff so expensive in Australia?

Is "hosing people" a sport down under?

If you think things are expensive here now you should have been here 20 years ago, but we pay double the price for some things compared to the states, Hong Kong etc. Probably because they can get away with charging the prices they do. Perhaps our small population for the size of the place contributes to the problem as well.

[Chief Engineer]

Australia.......I guess some of those genes are still pretty strong in some

[Boracay]

Sometimes it feels like those selling have a sweet little niche, and no one, but no one is ever going to budge them.

On the other hand all our free health, education, social security etc. has to be paid for somehow.

[vintageray]

If the connections are clean and tight, the batteries charged and it goes,"click", then your solenoid is probably working. If the solenoid is separate from the starter, bypass it and run a hot wire directly to the starter to check. If you can get to it, try rapping the starter with a hammer a couple of times. Sometimes when the bearings are shot and the starter "sticks", this will jar it and free it up for one more start. My guess is that you need to replace the starter.

[Nauticatarcher]

Sometimes starter doesnt quite mesh with flywheel correctly usually a half turn bar over on engine wil fix, also learn how to short circuit solenoid with screwdriver in case you need to bypass in a hurry

[PamlicoTraveler]

I'll look at that this weekend. I think the solenoid is in an awkward place - I'd have to be careful not to get caught up in the flywheel because the starter is near the back of the engine compartment with no real side access.

[Mark Zarley]

No one has mentioned the tried and true method of finding a bad connection. You can literally "finger it out". When it just "clicks " again, let it click for 5 sec. then immeaditly touch every connection, batt terminals, all starter terminals including the grounds. The one that is "hot to the touch " is the bad connection. Resistance causes heat.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Mark Zarley

No one has mentioned the tried and true method of finding a bad connection. You can literally "finger it out". When it just "clicks " again, let it click for 5 sec. then immeaditly touch every connection, batt terminals, all starter terminals including the grounds. The one that is "hot to the touch " is the bad connection. Resistance causes heat.

Excellent tip, Mark.

[Mi2ndWind]

All excellent advice so far. But if you can't locate a bad connection, or if you try the warm connection trick and they all feel warm or the starter and solenoid are the warmest, definitely try tapping the starter body with a hammer lightly while someone manipulates the key. Sometimes from moisture when sitting, or from brush dust accumulation the brushes can stick to the armature. The vibration from the hammer taps will usually free it back up. If it keeps recurring then a disassemble and cleaning out may be necessary. Good luck and let us know!

[IdoraKeeper]

I have a 4jhte as well. No one has mentioned a possible neutral safety switch? It could be the rig on your quadrant. Mine is worn but otherwise servicable. I installed a momentary solenoid bypass switch in the engine space. When one of those rare moments happens and the Yanmar wont crank the bypass gets her running. It's better than jumping it with a screw driver.