Starting help 300X

[Beastman]

I was planning to launch tomorrow BUT all I get when I try to start is clicking. I've got 12 volts everything else works except the motor?
Thanks

[Beastman]

I tried a battery boost jumper just clicks? So will a bad battery still not start under these circumstances?

[WILDMAN]

Barry, sometimes when they sit, the bendix sticks on the starter. Pry up the starter gear and put a little grease on the starter shaft.

[Pro300x24LD]

wack the starter with a hammer, worked on my 78 chevy.

[ghost28]

DO NOT WHACK THAT STARTER WITH A HAMMER>>>you will ruin it....it says it right on ther in black and white.....listen to wildman...check all battery cable connections as well....

[pyro]

wack the starter with a hammer, worked on my 78 chevy.

Agreed, have someone hold the key to START while you tap on it gently with a hammer. It knocks carbon deposits loose from the brushes and it just might turn over then. Might not do it again for a while, but you might want to consider rebuilding or replacing the starter.

[Raceman]

wack the starter with a hammer, worked on my 78 chevy.

The reason it works on a Chevy is that the solenoid is mounted directly on the starter and there's a contact ring that oxidizes/corrodes, causing poor connection. On a Merc starter the solenoid isn't mounted with the starter. I wouldn't beat on a Merc starter with a hammer.

What you can do is put 12 volts directly to the positive post on the starter and see if it activates it. Sometimes a solenoid will click but not pass sufficient voltage through to the starter. I've had a bunch of bad solenoids over the years. (be carefull throwin' all that voltage around and don't blow some expensive electrical component with an arc.)

[Steve Pope]

Yep, check the solenoid first, Steve

[pyro]

yeah, whack the solenoid with a hammer. :D

[tlwjkw]

Take tha starter OFF ta test it. Ya don't need ta go pokin' around all those high dollar parts with direct 12 volts in your hand. Give up an extra 5 minutes and ya don't have tha "OH ****" results...............T

[Beastman]

Well I just took the cover off and the gear was ingaged with the fly wheel so I tapped if down after I put some grease on. But I had the same result the starter ingages but just barely turn the fly wheel. I did notice when the I turn the key off the starter stays ingaged. I don't think it's the battery but I'm taking it to the auto store anyway.

[pyro]

That's normal (staying engaged), it only disengages when the flywheel turns faster than the bendix gear, that's how it works. If you bump the key for a second, they may stay meshed together. But if you turn the flywheel forward, it should disengage.

Sounds like your starter, battery, or something isn't right if it will barely turn over...

[chris_lacey]

Don't listen to anyone who tells you to tap a permanent magnet starter with a hammer. Hitting a magnet with a hammer will demagnetize the magnets, or worse yet break them. Then the starter is ruined.

[Beastman]

The battery showed a little low on the charge but other wise is OK it was a little low on water so I added and will try tonight. I hear a lot of sparking when I hit the key I plan to check that tonight also. Marina can't look at it till next Monday this sure seems strange it was fine when I stored it in my shop in the fall. I guess ship happens even then they are new.

[pyro]

could be a loose connection, or the starter's brushes and commutator are all carboned up.

Obviously you don't want to start pounding on things, like Chris said. That's why I said "tap."

[Pro300x24LD]

Sorry guys, I should have added a smiley, I was joking.

I didn't tap the starter on my old truck with a hammer, I wacked it as hard as I could, it worked once, and never again, that starter had seen better days.

[Beastman]

Well I took the battery to the auto store it checked BAD & I thought i'm in the water. Wrong still does the same damn clicking. The marina can't it in till next Monday so I'll be on the jet ski.

[ghost28]

MOTOR STUCK?
try to turn the flywheel by hand.


not everyone is as strong as you sam......:D :D :D

just make sure the key is in the off position and the lanyard is pulled.....you dont want that thing firing off while you have your hands in the flywheel...

[j_martin]

If the motor turns over like it should by hand, replace the starter.
Otherwise, fix the motor.

hope it helps
John

[Beastman]

The motor turns slow with the starter while the plugs are in.

[pyro]

probably a crappy starter or bad connection then.

[Beastman]

Well the dealer ordered a new starter from Merc. under warranty this will be the second one they replaced one when they replaced the motor. I can't beleive it's another starter.