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Starter and Relay |
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RHodder 
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Joined: January-25-2012 Location: Comstock Park, Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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 Topic: Starter and RelayPosted: June-09-2015 at 11:35pm |
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I have an 88 Sport Nautique with a 351 Windsor.
Having a problem with the starter relay keeps going bad and then the starter keeps running and burning up starters. The 50 amp breaker seems to be bad, it will not trip. I can not figure out the problem. We have traced all the wiring and everything looks good. We do have a deep cycle battery with 1000 amps. Any ideas? Thanks, Russ H. |
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ROH
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: June-09-2015 at 11:49pm |
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Russ,
I have to ask why the deep cycle battery? If you have other battery loads other than starting, at least go with a combination starting/deep cycle. You said you looked at the wiring but how about battery cables and terminals? If bad or even with bad terminal connections, you will see a voltage drop. Lower voltage results in higher amps (Ohms law) that the start relay can't handle. The typical result is the contacts in the relay weld themselves together and the starter keeps running. Get some voltage readings at the battery and at the starter during cranking. If everything is good, a typical drop will be about 3 volts. If more, it may be time for new cables. Get rid of the deep first. BTW, look at the wiring diagram. The 50 amp breaker is not in the starter circuit!! |
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RHodder
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Joined: January-25-2012 Location: Comstock Park, Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: June-09-2015 at 11:57pm |
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Hello 8122pbrainard,
I thought a bigger batter would be better for starting. I am now reading it may be the problem. You are correct, the contacts on the relay weld themselves together. (This has happened before and I took the relay apart). All the cables are new and in great shape. One of the issues that baffles me is the 50 amp breaker. Why is it there? The one on my engine does not seem to be working. It does not throw. In the diagram I have, the breaker is between the alternator and the relay. Does this sound right to you? Thanks for your help. Russ H. |
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ROH
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: June-10-2015 at 12:05am |
Yes the breaker is between the alternator and the relay but that's not the path the current takes to the starter!! 
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TRBenj
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Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21171 |
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Posted: June-10-2015 at 12:13am |
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The breaker protects the smaller wiring in the boat from the infinite current source (battery). The unprotected side (batt/relay/starter) uses very large wires and can sustain very high current flow for short periods.
Deep cycle battery is likely a contributor to your problem. I am also curious where you are getting your relays. Auto parts store or high quality PCM parts from a dealer or SkiDIM? |
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8122pbrainard
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Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Posted: June-10-2015 at 12:19am |
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Russ,
You never commented on why the deep cycle battery? |
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RHodder
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Posted: June-10-2015 at 12:29am |
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I thought a deep cycle battery would be better for starting.
Now, it sounds like it could be contributing to the problem. Still not sure that is the only issue. The previous owner had an issue with burning out starters. They had a regular size battery. I am getting the relays from the auto parts store. Are the PCM ones able to handle more? Thanks, Russ H. |
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ROH
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Jonny Quest
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Joined: August-20-2013 Location: Utah--via Texas Status: Offline Points: 2958 |
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Posted: June-10-2015 at 1:38am |
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If you need a relay, I've got a good "used" one that you can have. Just pay the shipping ($15) and it's yours. It looks like this: (came off a '94 SN with 351W)
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2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
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RHodder wrote: