Helena Frye
If your boat's starter is going bad, you'll want to know about it – and fast. There are a few ways to tell if your outboard starter is failing, including slow engine turnover, no engine turnover, or a clicking sound. You can test the starter by attaching a volt meter or test light to the stud on the starter, turning the key to start, and listening for a click. If there's no voltage at the starter stud, it's likely the solenoid or battery cable going to the starter.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Engine turns over slowly | Bad outboard starter |
| Engine doesn't turn over at all | Bad outboard starter |
| Clicking sound | Bad outboard starter |
| Engine spins extremely fast but doesn't engage or turn the flywheel | Bad outboard starter |
| No voltage at starter stud | Likely a bad solenoid or battery cable |
| No voltage at output side of solenoid | Likely a bad solenoid or battery cable |
| Battery voltage at stud on starter but it won't spin over | Defective starter |
| Commutator is burnt and pitted | Bad starter |
| Windings have overheated and delaminated | Bad starter |
| End cap bearing bushing is damaged | Bad starter |
| Top bearing bushing is damaged | Bad starter |
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What You'll Learn
Testing a starter with a volt meter or test light
You can test a starter with a volt meter or test light by first attaching it to the stud on the starter. Then, turn the key to start and listen for a click. When it clicks, the test light should light up or the volt meter should show battery voltage. If there is no voltage at the starter stud, it is most likely the solenoid or battery cable going to the starter. You can then move your test light to the output side of the solenoid and recheck for voltage.
If you have battery voltage at the stud on the starter and it won't spin over, you have a defective starter. You can then remove it and open it up to see what's wrong. You can buy replacement parts, but if there is major damage, you will most likely need another starter.
It is important to note that a battery charger will not work for testing a starter. You need a fully charged battery. Before testing, clean all the connections from the battery to the starter. Take them off and clean them with a Scotch pad.
If your starter is defective, it may be because the commutator is burnt and pitted, the windings have overheated and delaminated, or the end cap bearing bushing is not good.
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Signs of a bad outboard starter
There are several signs that your outboard starter is going bad. When an outboard starter fails, it will turn the engine over slowly, not at all, or make a clicking sound. It can also spin extremely fast but not engage or turn the flywheel of the engine.
To test if your outboard starter is going bad, take a volt meter or test light and attach it to the stud on the starter, then turn the key to start and listen for a click. When it clicks, the test light should light up or the volt meter should show battery voltage. If there is no voltage at the starter stud, it is most likely the solenoid or battery cable going to the starter. Move your test light to the output side of the solenoid and recheck for voltage.
If you have battery voltage at the stud on the starter and it won't spin over, you have a defective starter. You can remove it and open it up to see what's wrong. If there is major damage, you will most likely need another starter.
When rebuilding a starter, it is important to check that the commutator is not burnt or pitted, the windings have not overheated and delaminated, and the end cap bearing bushing is good and not sloppy on the shaft. Before testing, it is also important to clean all the connections and shine them with a scotch pad.
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How to rebuild a starter
If your boat starter is going bad, it may turn the engine over slowly, not at all, or make a clicking sound. It can also spin extremely fast but not engage or turn the flywheel of the engine.
To rebuild a starter, you will need to first clean all the connections from the battery to the starter. Take them off and clean them with a scotch pad. You will also need to clean the grounds.
Next, take a volt meter or test light and attach it to the stud on the starter. Turn the key to start and listen for a click. When it clicks, the test light should light up or the volt meter should show battery voltage. If there is no voltage, the solenoid or battery cable going to the starter is most likely the problem. Move your test light to the output side of the solenoid and recheck for voltage.
If there is battery voltage at the stud on the starter and it won't spin over, you have a defective starter. Remove it and open it up to see what's wrong. You can buy replacement parts, but if there is major damage, you will most likely need another starter.
When rebuilding a starter, make sure the commutator is not burned and pitted or the windings have not overheated and delaminated. Also, check that the end cap bearing bushing is good and the top bearing bushing is not sloppy on the shaft.
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Cleaning connections
If you think your boat's starter is going bad, the first thing to do is to clean all the connections from the battery to the starter. Take them off and shine them up with a Scotch pad. You should also clean the grounds.
To test the starter, you need a fully charged battery. Take a volt meter or test light and attach it to the stud on the starter. Turn the key to start and listen for a click. When it clicks, the test light should light up or the volt meter should show battery voltage. If there is no voltage at the starter stud, it is most likely the solenoid or battery cable going to the starter. Move your test light to the output side of the solenoid and recheck for voltage.
If you have battery voltage at the stud on the starter and it won't spin over, you have a defective starter. Remove it and open it up to see what's wrong. You can buy replacement parts, but if there is major damage, you will most likely need a new starter.
Starters are easy to rebuild, as long as the commutator is not burned and pitted or the windings have not overheated and delaminated. You will also need the end cap bearing bushing to be good and the top bearing bushing to not be sloppy on the shaft.
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Testing a starter with a battery charger
A battery charger will not work for testing a starter. You need a fully charged battery. First, clean all the connections from the battery to the starter. Take them off and shine them up with a scotch pad. Clean the grounds as well.
Take a volt meter or test light and attach it to the stud on the starter. Turn the key to start and listen for the click. When it clicks, the test light should light or the volt meter should show battery voltage. If no voltage is present at the starter stud, it is most likely the solenoid or battery cable going to the starter. Move your test light to the output side of the solenoid and recheck for voltage.
If you have battery voltage at the stud on the starter and it won't spin over, you have a defective starter. Remove it and open it up to see what's wrong. You can buy some replacement parts, but if there is major damage you will most likely need another starter.
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Frequently asked questions
If your boat starter is going bad, it will turn the engine over slowly, not at all, or make a clicking sound. It can also spin extremely fast but not engage or turn the flywheel of the engine.
Take a volt meter or test light and attach it to the stud on the starter, turn the key to start and listen for the click. When it clicks, the test light should light up or the volt meter should show battery voltage. If there is no voltage, it is likely the solenoid or battery cable going to the starter.
You have a defective starter. Remove it and open it up to see what's wrong. You can buy replacement parts, but if there is major damage, you will most likely need another starter.
A defective boat starter will fail to turn the engine over, or it will turn the engine over slowly. It can also spin extremely fast but not engage or turn the flywheel of the engine.
First, clean all the connections from the battery to the starter. Take them off and shine them up with a scotch pad. You can also rebuild your starter, as long as the commutator is not burned and pitted or the windings have not overheated and delaminated.
