1998 GT-40 Starter not engaging
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Engine Repair
Forum Discription: Engine problems and solutions
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47454
Printed Date: April-23-2024 at 6:09pm
Topic: 1998 GT-40 Starter not engaging
Posted By: rakerdeal
Subject: 1998 GT-40 Starter not engaging
Date Posted: May-15-2019 at 10:12am
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Anybody got time to walk me through what to do? 1998 Sport Nautique with GT-40; fully charged battery; turn key hear fuel pump, hear clicking/popping; starter not engaging. Thanks for the help. Charlie Sink Lexington, NC ------------- CYS |
Replies:
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: May-15-2019 at 11:20am
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Last year I had relay failure which Keno and a few others assisted/solved the issue. ------------- CYS |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: May-15-2019 at 11:25am
| First things first... clean your battery cable terminals and make sure they’re tight. |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: May-15-2019 at 12:09pm
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Cleaned battery cables and all connections thoroughly. Tried the positive battery terminal to red cabled solenoid connection - the starter does not engage. ------------- CYS |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: May-15-2019 at 12:09pm
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Also replaced relays with extras I have on hand. No start. ------------- CYS |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: May-15-2019 at 12:20pm
| If all cable connections (both ends of pos and neg, all the way from the battery to the block and starter) are clean, tight and in good condition (free of corrosion and damage), then check the I/o at the relay. Make sure you have full batt voltage at the (batt) input and start terminal from the key switch... and that you get some voltage out when the key is turned. I would give the starter a good tap with a hammer as that may free it up if it’s stuck. Beyond that, it’s most likely the starter causing your issue if all else checks out. |
Posted By: 63 Skier
Date Posted: May-15-2019 at 12:30pm
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You mention the battery is fully charged. Just to eliminate that as a possibility I'd either put a different battery in or use a jumper pack or cables to a good battery. Nice to eliminate the easy stuff before digging deeper. ------------- '63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: May-15-2019 at 12:56pm
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TRBeng you wrote: "then check the I/o at the relay. Make sure you have full batt voltage at the (batt) input and start terminal from the key switch... and that you get some voltage out when the key is turned" Could you be a little more visual/specific for me? I'm not certain what I/o means nor what/where the batt input is. Thanks. ------------- CYS |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: May-15-2019 at 2:04pm
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OK...the mysteries of this boat continue. It is cranking up. Hmm.... to some degree I enjoy these mysteries, to some degree I find them quite fun to process. But this GT-40, this 1998 Sport Nautique with only 260 hours on it has offered up some newbies. My last GT-40 burned in a house fire, my neighbor was burning leaves...(and you know the rest of the story). I have had three GT-40's, owned one or another continual since 1998. This one is by far the most interesting one. Hope it continues to crank but I gave no idea why it is cranking now...and wouldn't crank an hour ago. ------------- CYS |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: May-15-2019 at 2:18pm
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TRBeng maybe it was smacking the starter with the hammer. I did that, then it started. ------------- CYS |
Posted By: gt40KS
Date Posted: May-15-2019 at 11:51pm
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Certainly wouldn't be the first. Though it's never happened to me I've heard of this many times in older automotive, but more so in marine. ------------- JCCI 1995 Ski Nautique GT40 |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: May-15-2019 at 11:59pm
Don't I remember you having a "slow" starter Joe? After "hammer time" I figure it's time to think about a fluff and buff on your starter or a rebuilt or a new starter. |
gt40KS wrote:Posted By: 63 Skier
Date Posted: May-16-2019 at 12:11am
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I'm fairly experienced at crawling under vehicles and pounding on starters. Amazing how often it works. Yes, glad it is spinning but like Ken said it won't fix itself, and at some point on the water you'll bang on it and that won't solve it any more. Time for a new one. ------------- '63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: May-16-2019 at 4:31pm
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Thanks for everybody's help. I both have anxiety at times but at the same time enjoy figuring out- with help- my Nautique issues. ------------- CYS |
Posted By: oldlegbone
Date Posted: May-16-2019 at 4:37pm
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This happened to me last year and I got an Arco starter. Fixed every issue and weighs less than half of what the old monster did which makes the installation pretty easy. If you can get the right one from overtons the coupon code water30 gives you 30% off for today and tomorrow. |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: May-16-2019 at 6:53pm
One slight problem here, you had a big old monster that was original in your 87 that you replaced with a permanent magnet lightweight starter and he has a 98 that came with the permanent magnet starter as original equipment unless somebody swapped it out over the years  |
Posted By: oldlegbone
Date Posted: May-16-2019 at 7:34pm
😂😂😂 I should have read the post in its entirety. I just use the old starter as an anchor now. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: May-16-2019 at 10:01pm
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Charles, If the starter fails to energize/crank the engine again, I'd be inclined to open it up and check/clean up the commutator and check the condition of the brushes. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: gt40KS
Date Posted: May-16-2019 at 10:37pm
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I seem to recall someone offering up the suggestion to me a couple years ago of buying a new one to get a me running reliably now. Then take the old one and rebuild it in my spare time so I'd have a back-up. Not a bad idea for you Charles. ------------- JCCI 1995 Ski Nautique GT40 |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: May-17-2019 at 12:16am
I like the way that guy thinks
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Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: May-17-2019 at 11:21am
Joe, You may end up sitting on that spare starter for some time? Granted there's the old cliché "they don't make things like they used to" but I've never touched the starters in my 54, 64 or 77! I just finished rebuilding a 1969 Delco - Remy starter generator off a Wisconsin 14HP but they spin constantly when the engine is running. I'd say bench time for a new bearing, bushing, chucking it up in the lathe to clean up the commutator and then new brushes was around an hour. A starter is an easy rebuild if needed. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: MrMcD
Date Posted: May-17-2019 at 1:52pm
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Sounds like you are on the way to recovery. My Brother has a 460 Ford powered Keaton Jet boat, he took on water and the starter got wet for several hours causing starter failure. We were camping for several days and just wanted it to run on this trip.. While he turned the key I hammered on the starter case and it started. If I did not hammer it did not turn. After this trip a rebuild made his reliable again. ( he hates to turn wrenches so it went to a shop) For that weekend if he wanted to run we had to hammer. Not hard enough to damage anything, I think the vibration gets the brushes to connect but that is a guess. The old hammer trick has been working for years but does not fix anything. ------------- |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: May-17-2019 at 10:48pm
You probably haven't worn out any ignition switches either Pete How about spark plugs, you go forever on them too? They probably come out real easy after 28 years or so |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: May-27-2019 at 5:03pm
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So KENO - and others - my starter is still intermittently not engaging. Given what we've discussed/done about is the starter rebuild seemingly the logical path at this point? ------------- CYS |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: May-27-2019 at 5:15pm
------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: May-27-2019 at 6:00pm
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A rebuild or get a new one and then you can play "I wanna be like Pete" and tear the old one apart and see what ails it. The permanent magnet starters are fairly straightforward to take apart and get back together too, but unless you're comfortable with the process then get it rebuilt or get a new one, then do some learning with the old one. Since you've already checked all the other stuff like connections and the engine mounted relay, you might just try replacing the starter mounted solenoid also. You can get them separately and they're an easy swap. That would be the one mounted to the starter, not the one on the back of the engine. |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: May-27-2019 at 9:58pm
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Again, thank you. ------------- CYS |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: June-24-2019 at 5:56pm
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So as a followup to this... We began a a long traveling trip and I did not buy a starter. I got home and literally once again began cleaning all my connections, which I had done before, but this time with a vengeance. The boat is cranking. I suspected from many of the posts from those knowledgable helpers here who obvious know/suspect things....that there was suspicion that it was not my starter, that I was not doing something that I could be doing to make this boat start without getting a new starter and solonoid. Fingers crossed, but it has started wonderfully the last 2 times we used the boat, since getting all the connections very bright and clean. ------------- CYS |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: July-06-2023 at 7:51pm
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I'm back to not starting again. Replaced the assist starter solonoid relay (the one on the back of the motor on behind the relay panel) and the starter itself a couple of years ago and all was well until today. Battery fully charged, power to assist starter solonoid and to starter... So if I am getting nothing out of the starter, or just an occasional slow turnover or a click here and there... The boat is kept inside and things look great as far as connections and no corrosion. I have a volt meter and have used it, but where to use it given sounds/no sounds or specific points (like on the starter) would help me. Thanks for any help. ------------- CYS |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: July-06-2023 at 8:33pm
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Where is the best spot to check voltage from turning the key switch? ------------- CYS |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: July-07-2023 at 8:26am
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OK...so I read back though all the threads here I could find relating to this subject. I decided to begin at the start, I cleaned/sanded every connection through the starting electrical system. And... ...it started right up. Damn! Wise men speaketh here, but you have to actually do what they suggest for it to work. Again for the 10th or so time, thanks to the forum posters. ------------- CYS |
Posted By: MrMcD
Date Posted: July-07-2023 at 11:53am
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Now that all those connections are clean and working you might wipe a thin film of dielectric grease on the connections to help avoid future corrosion. On my 1995 Nautique with only 225 hours my starter began acting up. After cleaning all the connections it was still acting up so I went to pull the starter out for repair. The Starter bolts were loose? This boat only had around 200 total hours on it so it must have been loose from the factory. Tightened the starter bolts and it worked perfectly again. The bolts ground the starter to the engine. ------------- |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: July-07-2023 at 6:55pm
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Thanks MrMcD. Funny, again this afternoon the boat would not start. So we messed around in the battery box and poked the starter...and it started. Then later we got the standard click sound but no engine turnover and then later when we turned the key we got no response or sound at all. The ole intermittent start or not thing, same thing that happened a few years ago. I have replaced the assist solonoid, starter, and key switch about 3 years ago. I have not replaced the solonoid on top of the starter. ------------- CYS |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: July-07-2023 at 7:57pm
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As part of all the wiring connection checks and cleaning did you unplug the 8 connector plug at the back of the engine to check and clean all those connections? Power from the key goes through there to get to the assist solenoid and sometimes those connectors can be pretty ugly and corroded It goes through pin 3 in the diagram below. Yellow/red wire that goes to the Neutral Safety Switch, then to the solenoid Also verify that the assist solenoid is bolted tightly to the bracket with a clean connection so it's making a good ground path for the coil in the solenoid when the key is turned. Also verify the bracket to engine bolting is clean and tight https://ibb.co/KrMSXN3" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: July-08-2023 at 6:30am
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Thanks KENO. Today I'll take my time and do all of what you wrote and follow the diagram. ------------- CYS |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: July-08-2023 at 10:22am
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------------- CYS |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: July-08-2023 at 10:26am
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Got up at 5:30 working at 6 a.m. and at 10:00 she started. KENO, the 8 connector plug? Can you describe it a tad more as to size, appearance, location? I think it is the connector that I have that says TEST on it...but mine has less than 8 wires and the colors of the wires do not match the above diagram. Thanks again, I've enjoyed getting to know more about the boat through the years. The issue is the more you learn the more you realize how little you know! ------------- CYS |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: July-08-2023 at 10:39am
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It's pretty much right in the middle of the picture below. It shows the engine side plug that plugs into the wiring harness coming up from the bilge. Each side is about 1 1/2 inches or so and it's right behind the starboard valve cover. Not far from the test connector 
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Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: July-08-2023 at 9:10pm
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Great. Got it. ------------- CYS |
Posted By: rakerdeal
Date Posted: August-15-2023 at 7:25am
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I am thinking of others (I think) who may be surfing around reading this thread. I am going to finish up by stating I read and re-read all the suggestions, particularly those by the more active and knowledgable helpers. The last thing I have done with my 1998 Sport Nautique that still has less than 350 hours on it is to literally take lose every single electrical wire-to-terminal and sand or grind it a tad so that the metals are brightly clean. For the first time since I acquired this boat it stats each time fast. I bought the boat from a major stock car race team's crew chief who had not used it much because both his son's had their own wakeboard boats on Lake Norman, NC. I live on High Rock Lake nearby. The boat is in pristine condition...but for years it just would not start regularly. I have owned two other 1998-99 GT-40's and both were incredibly reliable...but this one wasn't. In case you are wondering the other boats? I didn't sell them: one was sunk by a friend, the other burned up completely by my next door neighbor. Anyway, the boat is a pleasure now. Clean those connections first and foremost. Then continue to follow the experts who post. If you follow the help provided? You'll have success. Warning though: it may take time and methodical steps! ------------- CYS |