Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board

Starter Stutter

Posted By: Peter
Date: Sunday, 17 July 2005, at 3:12 p.m.

This question is about 3.0L motors in my 26. I know that it is a little off topic for this board, but there is so much general knowlege here maybe someone will know the correct answer. Thanks in advance.

I went out for an afternoon on my 1 yr. old repowered 3.0L B26 and was met with a nasty surprise. When I went to start the starboard motor the starter engaged normally but only for a moment, maybe 1/2 turn cranking at the most. Then the pinion gear disengaged from the ring gear and the starter motor stoped cranking (sort of). In an instant the starter motor tried to spin up again resulting in a gawd-awful gear gnashing sound. The whole process repeats faster than I can let go of the starter switch. Think of how a solinoid stutters when there isn't enough voltage to hold it in, except in my case it is the whole starter mecanism that is stuttering.

I checked out the battery...fine, the key/start switch, fine. I jumpered across the slave solinoid so the only thing calling for a start is the main starter solinoid. Problem persists. The mounting of the starter to the motor is solid and secure.

I'm thinking that the main solinoid isn't pulling the pinion into full engagement with the ring gear. As soon as things load up the pinion kicks back and the power to the starter is cut off, BUT since the motor isn't really started the pinion isn't kicked back all the way and the starter tries to spin up again. This all happens rapid fire. Faster even than I can test it with a delicate little "Bump" of the circuit.

I have an entire new starter on the way. Not a bad thing to have as a spare anyway. My question is; has anyone here ever seen something like this before? Am I missing something stupid?

If I'm right, who will do a nice job rebuilding my(not very)old starter?

If anyone has any ideas let me know. I'm standing by with my wrenches and a bottle of CX while I await the new starter.

Messages In This Thread

Starter Stutter
Peter -- Sunday, 17 July 2005, at 3:12 p.m.

Re: Starter Stutter
Walter Kaprielian -- Sunday, 17 July 2005, at 4:04 p.m.

Re: Starter Stutter
Vic Roy -- Sunday, 17 July 2005, at 4:57 p.m.

Re: Starter Stutter
Capt. Dave Kosh -- Monday, 18 July 2005, at 10:46 a.m.