Tips on unsticknig electrical box?

SJBrit

SJBrit

Extraordinary Alien
Location
Bradenton, FL
OK, 2 days till I leave for Daytona and I've got problems :banghead: I think I have a bad starter solenoid (battery good: 13.1V, S/S switch checks out, solenoid clicks, but no spinny...). No big deal, I have a spare, but here's the problem: the bolts popped off the e-box brackets just fine, but the box is stuck to the bracket (damn salt!!) Anyone got any tips on breaking it free? I really don't want to cut the turf. I've been soaking in WD40, but no luck so far. Any ideas?
 
Crab

Crab

thanks darin...noswad!
Location
Seattle
Gasgas had that problem, ended up unbolting at the firewall. Even with the box out he had a bear of a time getting them loose.:buttkick:
 
SJBrit

SJBrit

Extraordinary Alien
Location
Bradenton, FL
Big Kahuna said:
tap the bolts with a punch and hammer, vibrations are your friend.
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Cool - I'll give it a whack!

crab said:
Gasgas had that problem, ended up unbolting at the firewall. Even with the box out he had a bear of a time getting them loose.:buttkick:
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I had this on a square too, but the firewall wasn't turfed, so it was easier. Like you said, I still had a nightmare getting the brackets loose to get the e-box open. I'm hoping my 03 RN isn't as stuck as the 90 SN!
 
Boris

Boris

The Good Old Days
Location
The surf-less coast
Before you start whacking on the threads you might want to get the nut back on there.

Apply some pressure on the thing with a small G-clamp and tap with a hammer. That should break the bond.
 
SJBrit

SJBrit

Extraordinary Alien
Location
Bradenton, FL
Hmmm... no luck with the Lanford vibrator (and yes, I used nuts). I think I'll let the WD40 soak in over night and have another crack in the morning.

Tim, I like the pressure washer idea - I'll give that a carck if the WD40 doesn't help. Other than that I guess I'm cutting the turf and hoping I can break the brackets loose when I get the box out.

All I can say is that starter solenoid had better be dead....
 
keefer

keefer

T1
Location
Tennessee
Have you tried tapping on the starter and maybe trying to get a test light or volt meter on the positive lug of the starter to check for voltage. I have seen many starters that have stuck brush springs from corrosion or just old age. This might save you the hassle of removing the Ebox.
 
SJBrit

SJBrit

Extraordinary Alien
Location
Bradenton, FL
keefer said:
Have you tried tapping on the starter and maybe trying to get a test light or volt meter on the positive lug of the starter to check for voltage. I have seen many starters that have stuck brush springs from corrosion or just old age. This might save you the hassle of removing the Ebox.
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No - that's a good thought. I can yank the starter off Suzi's SN if it's bad. Can you get the starter out with the motor in?
 
SJBrit

SJBrit

Extraordinary Alien
Location
Bradenton, FL
Hmmm.... I should be happy right now, but I'm not. I just went to check 12V at the starter, and it turned over just fine. So that means I have an intermittent problem, which are the the worst kind.

Any idea of the most likely culprit? I turned it over a bunch of times trying to figure out whether there is a dead spot on the starter armature, but it just kept on cranking. Maybe a bad cable? I guess I moved it a bit trying to get the meter probe in there. It's an '03, so it would seem like the cables ought to be good still.
 
keefer

keefer

T1
Location
Tennessee
Could be rotting cable but that is a pretty new boat. I still lean towards the stuck brushes theory if it has been sitting for a while. Flakey relay is always in there also. Might want to be like your brother from another mother and have a spare starter & relay on standby in Daytona just in case.
 
Mike W

Mike W

Infidel
Location
North Florida
SJBrit said:
Hmmm.... I should be happy right now, but I'm not. I just went to check 12V at the starter, and it turned over just fine. So that means I have an intermittent problem, which are the the worst kind.

Any idea of the most likely culprit? I turned it over a bunch of times trying to figure out whether there is a dead spot on the starter armature, but it just kept on cranking. Maybe a bad cable? I guess I moved it a bit trying to get the meter probe in there. It's an '03, so it would seem like the cables ought to be good still.
Click to expand...

The ground cable on my '98 went bad close to the starter. It was an intermittant problem as well until it started smoking.
 
SJBrit

SJBrit

Extraordinary Alien
Location
Bradenton, FL
WAB said:
Did you check to see if battery/ground cables or leads are getting warm after trying to crank?
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No, actually - good idea. Whatever my problem is, I'm sure the salt will find it for me this weekend :biggrin:
 
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