Ducky
Back in the game!
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
If you dont feel like reading...just move to other threads 
No hard feelings, just trying to learn.
I have been having some issues going through starters...3 to be exact. Ill try to detail all 3 starters going bad, but may miss some things. Obviously, I have to do something. I have another super clean OEM starter from a super low hour couch that is confirmed good, and I dont want to put it in and have this starter go bad on me. Any help is appreciated! I havent diagnosed much because I have just been concerned about building/riding my new hull, but I want it reliable as possible.
Details that are constant between all situations: I am running an AGM ETX9 sized Battery. 120 CCA. Was brand new for RN build, then I bought another new battery (same size and brand). My ebox is from a VXR pro. Everything is OEM and probably from 1994 (Other than the MSD enhancer in the ebox). Running the same ebox, bendix, lightened flywheel and stator in all situations. The ground cable is grounded to the exhaust manifold...seems to be fine. Start/stop switch was brand new OEM for RN build.
Situation 1: Rebuilt my RN with my new HPE 819 and put in a used OEM starter in working condition with a bendix (supposedly) in good condition. After the first ride or two, I start hearing a whining/light screeching from the starter. It gets worse. We took the starter out and something was broken in the back side of the starter. I dont know starters well at all, I think it was some small wire or magnet maybe? So I put in another used OEM starter. Sounds normal for the first couple rides, and I start hearing the same sounds. But it started pretty easily with both starters...just had a whining/screeching noise. RN gets torn down for RIP build.
Situation 2: Build the RIP. Knowing the last OEM starter I had was making a bad sound, I put in a like new Aftermarket Starter. It spun good on a bench test. I get everything built, and am ready to start the ski. The same etx9 battery is fully charged. I go to start the ski and I get a click but it just wont crank, Sounds like it wants to crank though, but it wont. We think maybe the battery is bad. We put it on a jumper pack and itll spin over and it starts. No whining or screeching sound. Awesome...lets ride! JK, its off the jumper, and wont crank over. "Matt, go buy a new battery"..."Ok, fine"...I go buy the same agm etx9, install it, and am ready to ride. Nope, not going to happen. Same thing. Clicks and just wont crank. Itll crank and start on the charger or jumper pack. Ok, F this, lets drink.
Situation 3: Install the last used oem starter from situation 1. I get it installed, battery is fully charged, go to start it and it cranks over and starts, but its whining/screeching. Ran it for the day like that, and it seemed fine other than the sound while starting. Bought a low hour OEM starter the next day, havent installed it yet. (still uninstalled...dont want to kill this one yet) Went to start it yesterday as is, started right up. Went to start it today, and it wouldnt start until I put the battery on the charger. Whining/Screeching noise very prevalent...just wanted to ride though. (Yes, I am probably very stupid for doing this....i just wanted to ride) It starts up and I head to the boat launch. I am riding it today, having a lot of fun, but feel like messing with my carb screws a little. I bring it to the stand at the launch, turn the screws a little, get ready to go ride, and it cranks but wont start. I check a couple things, but cant get it to restart. I go home, put it on the charger, and it starts right up.
If you've made it this far, I want to say thank you for your time.
I have this clean, known good OEM starter that I just bought and I want to install, but really dont want to have the same thing happen if something else is wrong. I think I have the tools to test everything, just not the knowledge to know where I should be looking first. Doesnt seem like it would be the bendix since it doesnt sound like its skipping or missing, but i could absolutely be wrong. It was suggested that I replace my battery cables, which I intend to do asap, but would just like to know how I should be thinking about this.
Is it possible I just had bad luck with these starters? Would battery cables cause this? Is my bendix shot? Should I just take up sewing and pottery instead? (last resort...but b*tches love pottery and sewing.)
Thanks for reading if you made it here....ill get you drunk next time i see you.
No hard feelings, just trying to learn.I have been having some issues going through starters...3 to be exact. Ill try to detail all 3 starters going bad, but may miss some things. Obviously, I have to do something. I have another super clean OEM starter from a super low hour couch that is confirmed good, and I dont want to put it in and have this starter go bad on me. Any help is appreciated! I havent diagnosed much because I have just been concerned about building/riding my new hull, but I want it reliable as possible.
Details that are constant between all situations: I am running an AGM ETX9 sized Battery. 120 CCA. Was brand new for RN build, then I bought another new battery (same size and brand). My ebox is from a VXR pro. Everything is OEM and probably from 1994 (Other than the MSD enhancer in the ebox). Running the same ebox, bendix, lightened flywheel and stator in all situations. The ground cable is grounded to the exhaust manifold...seems to be fine. Start/stop switch was brand new OEM for RN build.
Situation 1: Rebuilt my RN with my new HPE 819 and put in a used OEM starter in working condition with a bendix (supposedly) in good condition. After the first ride or two, I start hearing a whining/light screeching from the starter. It gets worse. We took the starter out and something was broken in the back side of the starter. I dont know starters well at all, I think it was some small wire or magnet maybe? So I put in another used OEM starter. Sounds normal for the first couple rides, and I start hearing the same sounds. But it started pretty easily with both starters...just had a whining/screeching noise. RN gets torn down for RIP build.
Situation 2: Build the RIP. Knowing the last OEM starter I had was making a bad sound, I put in a like new Aftermarket Starter. It spun good on a bench test. I get everything built, and am ready to start the ski. The same etx9 battery is fully charged. I go to start the ski and I get a click but it just wont crank, Sounds like it wants to crank though, but it wont. We think maybe the battery is bad. We put it on a jumper pack and itll spin over and it starts. No whining or screeching sound. Awesome...lets ride! JK, its off the jumper, and wont crank over. "Matt, go buy a new battery"..."Ok, fine"...I go buy the same agm etx9, install it, and am ready to ride. Nope, not going to happen. Same thing. Clicks and just wont crank. Itll crank and start on the charger or jumper pack. Ok, F this, lets drink.
Situation 3: Install the last used oem starter from situation 1. I get it installed, battery is fully charged, go to start it and it cranks over and starts, but its whining/screeching. Ran it for the day like that, and it seemed fine other than the sound while starting. Bought a low hour OEM starter the next day, havent installed it yet. (still uninstalled...dont want to kill this one yet) Went to start it yesterday as is, started right up. Went to start it today, and it wouldnt start until I put the battery on the charger. Whining/Screeching noise very prevalent...just wanted to ride though. (Yes, I am probably very stupid for doing this....i just wanted to ride) It starts up and I head to the boat launch. I am riding it today, having a lot of fun, but feel like messing with my carb screws a little. I bring it to the stand at the launch, turn the screws a little, get ready to go ride, and it cranks but wont start. I check a couple things, but cant get it to restart. I go home, put it on the charger, and it starts right up.
If you've made it this far, I want to say thank you for your time.
I have this clean, known good OEM starter that I just bought and I want to install, but really dont want to have the same thing happen if something else is wrong. I think I have the tools to test everything, just not the knowledge to know where I should be looking first. Doesnt seem like it would be the bendix since it doesnt sound like its skipping or missing, but i could absolutely be wrong. It was suggested that I replace my battery cables, which I intend to do asap, but would just like to know how I should be thinking about this.
Is it possible I just had bad luck with these starters? Would battery cables cause this? Is my bendix shot? Should I just take up sewing and pottery instead? (last resort...but b*tches love pottery and sewing.)
Thanks for reading if you made it here....ill get you drunk next time i see you.
