Starting Problem - 20V

[Cubacheski]

Have a 2008 20V with only 74 hours on it. This weekend it starting acting up when starting. Would be slow to crank over. Had the battery checked and they said the battery was good and it was 96% charged. So that shouldn't be the problem. Started it up Saturday and was slow to crank over and then acted like it was going to start up and then gave the high pitched grind sound like a starter problem. Turned key off and started it up again and it started and then 1/2 a second later after it was running it started the grinding sound. Turned it off and then started it again and no problems. Started it another 10-15 times Saturday without a problem.

Thoughts ? ? To me it sounds like I need a new starter. But I wouldnt think you need a new starter with only 75 hours on it. Thanks for your insight and advice.

[Cubacheski]

Anyone have an idea ?

[Ruger761]

Sounds to me like the starter / bendix issue. The grinding is the bendix not engaging the ring grear properly and then when its running and you heard it, the bindix isnt kicking out all the way. One other thing it could be is a bad solenoid. It might not be giving it full volts/amps to the starter and it could also be sticking not letting the starter stop. Most solenoids are built into or bolted on to the starters any more. So you almost have to replace the whole thing. The old styles they were seperate. Make sure your battery leads are not corroded/loose too causeing low volt/amps to the starter.

[Cubacheski]

Thanks Ruger.. I appreciate the insight. Will check the battery and worst case replace the starter. I am modertly handly with repairs. Is this something that would be able to be replaced myself or am I going to need to pull it out of the marina and drive it to a dealer to repair ?

[soonerlaw04]

I had the same thing happen on my boat a few weeks ago. The same model as yours and about the same hours. Mine wouldn't start though without jumping it. I had the battery checked and it was fine, so I started checking cables and the cable to the starter was loose and the cable to the solenoid was really loose. I tightened both of those and that seems to have fixed the problem.

[Cubacheski]

Thanks for the tip. SoonerLaw.. Let me ask you.. my boat is at the lake so I have not looked at the engine but was the starter on the top or the bottom? If it was on the bottom did you have to remove the sotrage panel next to the engine to get to it ?

[Ruger761]

The starter is going to be on the port side closest to the bell housing where your velvet/vdrive is mounted. Prob have 2-3 bolts holding it in place along with the wire connections. Either dissconnect batteries or turn your perko switch (if you have one) off before doing any thing wiht the wires. Im not sure on your motor, but some of the older GM blocks required starter spacers that can be tricky but not sure if the new ones have them or if they redesigned the mounting of the starter.

Forgot to mention you can do it at the marina, and actually kinda nice to so you can start it after you replace it. Being in OKC your going to melt doing it so take a fan with you

[soonerlaw04]

Yes it is at the bottom of the engine, but easy to access if you remove the storage panel