starter stays engaged

Got a small problem with the starter wanting to stay engaged after you start the engine. Our winter project required us to remove the starter and that is when the problem started...after we reinstalled it. I have taken the starter into a rebuild shop and they said it tested fine. I have loosened the bolts several times to try and adjust it a little bit....no better. It does kick itself out (bendix) after a few seconds with the engine running. I don't worry about it too much...but it isn't right.

We will be bringing it to GL this weekend. I am posting this just to see if there are any good recommendations and if I need to buy parts or special tools that may not be in my travel kit.

Again, it starts great, but stays engaged for a few seconds. I do not have any gaskets or spacer rings between starter and engine block.

Thanks!

I had the same problem. Starter Relay
The next time it happens, tap on the relay with a wrench or something and it should stop.

Keeganino wrote: Also make sure that you have a starting battery and not a deep cycle marine battery. The deep cycles burn up solenoids. Common misconception about the deep cycle batts. Those are made for running trolling motors not starter motors.

I didn't know that. You learn something new every day.

What group battery would my boat take? I know it needs to be a certain dimension. If I knew of a certain group or dimension, I could go in the back and grab one tonight. I have a 93 ski.

If you can get me the dimensions, I'll buy you a beer at GL if you will be there!

Thanks! I am going to see if we have anything similar to that in the shop.

I had the same problem. I described in detail the sequence of "what could it be" in this post:
http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22397&title=electrical-problem-solenoid-sticking-82-sn

The short hand answer:
1. Replaced the marine battery with an automobile battery for a Ford 351 Windsor
2. Then, with help from this Forum, was further advised that the Autozone cheap solenoids don't cut it for the boats. I went to the Ford dealership and purchased the OEM solenoid ($46 vs. $18 at Autozone); however, the starter no longer stays engaged. Starts and disengages now, just as it should.
Rngadng

Tim, the group 65's on our shelf have side posts. I know height was a problem for me and probably the same in your 90. But you say you used a 65 in that boat? Do you have side mounts or top?

I need you and Alan to take a "joy ride" with me at GL. I think we need to throw another 2 degrees in the time and I may have some other tweaking to do. Maybe this battery is my low RPM issue. Only getting 4000 when I should have minimum 48000. Want you to double check the DUI wiring.

Let me know about that battery size. I got one that is smaller dimension, but is top load and 650 CCA. Should spin her over easily.

I tend to agree on the battery not having any ties to the rpm's....just seems weird. Hopefully that will fix my starter issue though!

Motor runs strong out of the hole. Man it pulls now. but once you get to 4k, it feels like I don't have enough fuel or something. Alan and I have talked and wondered if my new throttle linkage may have something to do with it. I have full travel though. But it feels like it surges just a bit. Basically it gets up and rolls great, but when I am at a higher rpm, it feels like it is falling on its face. I can run it 4k for miles (ask Alan before a storm!) so I don't know if it is fuel pump or what. Really don't think so.

Lets go for a quick joy ride and you can abuse it for a while. You and Alan can talk about our timing. I think we are at 34 right now and debating about going to 36.

If youre really missing 800 RPM then a few degrees of timing probably wont get you there... I assume your secondaries are opening? Thats about where mine come in.

Either way we'll give it a rip this weekend- looking forward to catching up with you guys!

Yeah, I know it was a little humor. I think that would be absolutely impossible no matter what kind of boat you would have! Like to see that happen someday. I have to pull start my tractor too often so I know how that rodeo works too.

I threw a new battery in last night and it does the same thing. No fix. I am picking up a new ford solenoid tonight. Either that or take the one off my truck and try it for the weekend. I load tested my "old" battery and it was fine.

Not too worried about it. Boat starts and runs....somewhat.

Yeah, everything looks good. Then only thing I can think of is if when we cranked on it so long to get it to fire after the new distributor, maybe we did a little damage to the solenoid? If the starter tested fine and the ignition switch is good, then it almost has to be the solenoid. I was going to take the one off my F150, but I got it at autozone. I hear we are supposed to get one from Ford. A buddy works for Ford so he is going to snag one for me tonight. I have a lot going on tonight to prepare for the trip to GL that I may just throw it in the glove box and do it up there. Yes, you are right, we look like the guys in Kind of the Hill. I think we are next to alan and dana so stop by and throw in you .02 worth of info.

Thanks man!

white lake marine has them as well but if you are in a hurry that wont work.

Sorry for being late on the update, but there is no update. I didn't replace the solenoid at GL. Figured I only started the boat 4 times teh whole weekend so i just left it the way it was. I got another solenoid, but it is a different design than what came on the boat originally. I am going to look at it when I get up north on vacation this weekend. They have a mandatory no wake for 5 days due to high water so I think I will have plenty of time to swap the solenoid and adjust the carb a little better.

Will post if this fixes my issue.

New starter solenoid (on back of engine) and it still stays engaged for a few seconds.

What next....key switch?

Wanna buy a boat anyone?

I don't have a volt meter with me. Stupid me left home without one. I am in Minnesota now. I will try that as soon as I get home though.

Why did I know you would quickly respone!!??

Thanks Pete!