2004 180sp starting problem...help

[itchynackers]

Hello,
I have a 2004 searay 180sp with about 90 hours on it. I bought it in early 2009 and it has been trouble free...until getting it out of winter storage. I keep the battery (original I believe) on a tender during winter. I attempted to start with no success. I cranked it for about 10 minutes. It acted as though it wanted to start, but just wouldn't. Then, on the next turn of the key, I just got a simple "click". I checked plugs, wires, etc.. Put the battery back on the charger to top it off. The next morning, I could get the engine to barely turn (by turn, I mean the crank turned about 1/4 turn, then it stops. I then hooked up a multimeter to the battery terminals to monitor voltage. At rest it read 12.7V. During cranking it reads 7.3V. I then assumed it was the battery, so I bought a new identical one. Put that in, and I got the same result. It just turned 1/4 turn, with voltage sag to 7.3V.

Can anyone tell me their next best guess as to what the problem may be? I'm thinking some sort of solenoid may be bad, but I really have no "know-how" with boats.

Thanks for the help!

Adam

 

[Scottbenson]

Possibly overheated the starter from cranking 10 minutes and it is now bad and locks up. I'm thinking that because you have replaced the battery with a new one. (I assume you verified that it was fully charged)

If you are measuring the voltage on the lead terminal of the battery and not the battery cable clamp you should be getting a true reading. If the starter motor has broken down internally it and locking up it would draw excessive voltage while cranking.

The other issue is the motor that wouldn't start. My best guess would be that it is fuel related. I'm not sure what model of engine you have but if the choke is improperly adjusted you can crank away without results. If you "pump" the throttle lever sever time times from idle to full rapidly before the first crank, you will get a little squirt of fuel in the carb that will greatly improve cold starting. Also make sure you have almost no throttle on when you are cranking. Last case you could pour (I know people will complain of fire danger) a small amount of fuel directly into the carb top just before cranking. If any of the above help the engine to start, it is not getting enough fuel for a cold start. Most likely that would have to do with a choke that is not adjusted properly.

 

[itchynackers]

Yes, the starter was VERY hot after my cranking session. In November, I topped off the fuel tank with non-ethanol fuel, and some fuel stabilizer (sta-bil). I believe it will start eventually, if I could get it to crank. Looks like I have to decide whether to attempt the install myself, or have a qualified tech do it.