The Diablo let me down today.. 1st time
 

Well, rather then start up this thread on a downer. We did have an EXCELLENT day on the water Saturday. Chilled out, anchored, swam, sun tanned, took photos of our friend in her bikini for her.... (keep in mind, she is 42). ;)

So this afternoon we attempted to start it up around 3pm and go for a quick boot around the lake and just... drive. So we got everything ready on board, and when we were finally ready to start it, all I got was a click, no crank. I had all gauges, trim up/down, radio, horn were working. I thought ok, that was odd. Tried it again, same thing. Hmmmm

Next my uncle came over to help out and we attempted a charger plugged into shore power to see if it would "bump" start it. No such luck. Next we cleaned up the accessory and main battery terminals (possible dirty connection). Nope that didnt fix it. Next he brought his battery out of his SUV to see if connecting it directly would start it, no such luck either.

I contacted my marina to let them know of the problem I was having and listed what we have tried etc (answering machine message). So at least they are aware of the problem. I have only been out on the boat only 3 times this year since getting it out of storage about 2-3 weeks ago.

My uncle is going to keep the trickle charger on it for the night and retry in the morning to see if anything helps it start. If nothing, then my mom/dad said they could bring it home with them in a few days. I would bring the battery into my work and do an AVR test to see if it is good/bad. If bad, replace. If good, dunno. LOL.

The battery guage was only reading about 13v and below. I "believe" it should be reading well over 13v (somewhere around say 14?). After attempting to start it would drop down to around say 12v. The battery was used all last season, it has been in the boat for an undertimined # of years. So it is probably due for a replacement ... HOWEVER.... my marina just gave the battery a passing grade to me and here we are with a no start.

Downside, I won't be up north for at least another two weeks due to other commiments down here on the weekend. So it will have to wait till about the 26th OR the long weekend before i'am able to go back up to figure out whats wrong with it.

I will update if anything happens tomrrow from my uncles re-check on it.

A quick check of the battery cables on the engine, would be a good idea too. Check the pos terminal at the starter, and the ground wire on the engine block itself. If either one are loose, this could be the problem. failing that, it could be the starter or the solenoid. Let us know how you make out.

I'm betting it's the starter and/or solenoid. I've heard of people temporarily getting it to start by hitting the end of the starter with a hammer (this breaks the solenoid loose for at least a few more starts, but the problem will probably return). A new starter is fairly easy to replace - no need to pull the boat out. Just an hour or two and a few bloody knuckles!

Your battery should read about 12V while the engine isn't running. While running, I believe they say 14.4V is correct. Doesn't sound to me like a battery issue since you've tried jumping/used another battery/and your gauge readings sound correct.

Sorry to hear that! I've been there, I did the whole hammer to the starter thing, and was able to get mine started quickly enough to get it back to the service area. Turns out it was the starter.

Keep us updated and good luck!

Thanks for the input and feedback about possible fixes. Proving once again this webapge is very handy. :wink_thumbup:

Based off your comments and based off information obtained from my uncle, it sounds like the starter or the solenoid is where my problem now lies.

Are there any tell-tale signs of a starter that is on its way out? Basically i'm trying to figure out if it would have been something that may have been noticed but missed while it was in for repairs. But I know the "if it isnt broken, dont fix it" rule may have applied in this situation. Since the boat was starting when it left the dock. But it has only been used 3 days since it left the docks in about 2 weeks time frame. Which means around 4 restarts since it left the marina's docks. If the marina gave me a clean bill of health and its not... whats up?..


So as an update:

My parents have contacted the marina where I store / service my boat and they said they would come down to get the boat (somehow). Obviously I dont have a trailer, so it would have to be towed via waterway or moved over to the nearest ramp and removed via trailer that way. As per the phone coversation my mom had with the tech up there, they weren't really offering to "help me out" per say with getting it back and running. They were basically just looking to add more into the service charge. Towing fee, labour fee, parts fee, taxes...etc.

So now enter the local boating supply/repair store (where I buy all my misc boat parts from) the tech up there has offered to come down to the boat dock where my boat is resting right now (3 minute drive from his shop) and for $30 he will troubleshoot and diag it for me.

My uncle has attempted to hit a screwdriver to the starter/solenoid and has also attempted to bridge the starter posts to jump it and still nothing past a click.

More details to be added in later tonight upon the local tech's findings later on tonight.



Thanks again guys! :D


Shabah: Sorry, never really got any decent side shots of the Diablo this past weekend! LOL!

Try manually rotating the engine (key off) and then starting. If you have a dead spot in the starter windings, it may have reached the point of engaging and then no more. This was not an uncommon problem for GM V-8 motors.

By rotating the motor, you will disengage the starter drive from the flywheel and move it off it's dead spot.

If this works, replace the starter immediately as it will surely happen again.

Other things to check...

Make sure your battery cables are in good condition. It they are swelled inside the insulation near the terminals, your cable(s) could have internal corrosion which is just as bad as corroded battery terminals.

Check the ground cable where it attaches to the block. Make sure the connection is good and there is no engine paint blocking the current flow.

Make sure the starter motor mounting bolts are tight (another problem with GM V-8's). I the motor is loose at all it can effect the ground connection.

Do a load test on the battery. I it has a bad cell, all of your accessories will work fine but the load of the starter will put it over the edge.

Hope this helps.

Brad

GrayDog, thanks for all the help and information you provided. Future searches will indeed help another member if they happen to run into the same condition I have. You have mentioned a few good points that I know we did not investigate fully.

However, the downside of my situation is once I leave the cottage it will be a few weeks before I'am able to see the boat again. It isn't readily available (ie at my house) to tinker with. So any service work would be performed by a mechanic while i'm at home, working during the week. I also have the 3.0L motor and not a V8 like you were suggesting.


So back to my update,

It was indeed a starter and it will be replaced tomorrow. The original marina where I was storing/winterizing/servicing said it would be about 3-5 days before they would be able to even touch the boat. The other marine where I have been buying my "misc" boat parts from, came out within the SAME DAY and looked at it while he was on call to another customer in the same area. $30 to take a look, diaged, starter needs replacing. Starter is on order and will be installed Tuesday at his convience and it will be good to go again.

So once this is done, my parents will be asking them about winterizing / storage costs for this year and if they happen to be cheaper..... I might just be leaving where I have been having work done.

Normally I like to stick to one spot (think about going to a different dentist or doctor each time you had a problem). But if one is going to be cheaper, cheaper wins with me... LOL.


New starter on my boat makes it go Vaaaroom again .. eh MikeyT :rolleyes:

:yes_grin:

My bad for not reading more carefully your bio. The V-6 suffered from the same problems. Glad it's straightforward fix. -Brad

Ya know the whole bloody knuckle thing would ease his frustration however... I would be the one on the dock with the bandages shaking my head as I wrap gauze around his hands...

but then again it might be quite the show...

No worries man. I had initially thought you were referencing your boat perhaps. Needless to say, they are still engines and they are basically all the same anyways.

:wink_thumbup:

hey cool, its my alias in reverse! :D

Based off your comments, I assume you would be the wife/girlfriend of a boater? Because I could totally see my girlfriend hanging up on shore doing the exact same thing... hehe.

When you get a moment, click on the Used CP link on the top left and go into your profile to edit the year / model / engine size of your Diablo. Have you uploaded any photos of it also? If not, we all would like to see (including me).

:wink_thumbup:

Heck, I'd pay for the cost of the starter to have the opportunity to watch this show!!

Always remember that whenever your in a predicament like this, with a no start, If you suspect your starter you can always directly short it. What I mean is take a metal conductor and short from the POS terminal on the starter to the solenoid. Remember to leave your key on JUST IN CASE you have one start left!

You know Mikey T is going to have a field day with this after I post this comment ;) but yeah I am the girlfriend of a boater and of course a boater myself now that you let me drive your boat last weekend ;) and of course Canada day too... threading it between the mass of derby doodes that were clogging up the mouth of the river ;):worry_to_laugh:

So it appears my gf secretly made up an account on here... ROFL!

Guys (and gals) ... This is Crystal. :wink_thumbup:

I think it's safe to say it's no longer a secret. :D

Welcome Crystal!

LOL thanks :) I just thought it was time to finally come out of the shadows... that and his asking "who is that Diablo person" everytime he was on the page here made me snicker ;) and yeah I know Im evil to do that :) but he loves it:worry_to_laugh:

I'm still waiting for MikeyT's comments!!!

I have the popcorn ready for this show!!!

Me too ! :D

Welcome to the board Crystal! Feel free to get involved in any of the posts!! It's good to have a first mate/female perspective on here, most of us guys just speak for ourselves!

One thing's for sure, my eyes are peeled for my g/f to pop up on the site now! :)

She pops up all the time. I regularly see her in the banner picture. :rolling_laugh: ;)

AAAhhh MAN!,
I leave for a few days and the fun stuff starts! :rolling_laugh:
I’d better watch what I post, I may be sleeping with one of you “Guys”:eek:
Welcome Crystal! You Diablo’s are too funny!!! :yes_grin:

LOL! Good point!

Hmm, maybe we should set up a MOC girlfriends directory in the gallery! :D

LOL thanks :)

I just figured I would throw that to make him scratch his head and make him wonder for a while who else had a diablo ;) lol it was rather amusing I must say when I told him it was me the other night...

LOL well its not like its a dating site ;)

but then again if you drive another man's Mariah... are you cheating?:rolleyes::rolleyes:

I don't think its cheating, but always tell your guy he has a "Bigger Lower Unit":yes_grin:

I don't think I am going to touch that one with a 10 foot pole... well I might touch it with a hook ;)

I know all about the engine.... we spent all sunday trying to tinker with it to find out what the heck was wrong....

Updating this old thread that turned into a chit chat thread ......... :rolleyes:


I was up at the cottage this past weekend and spent some time on the boat with a friend of mine. Saw the bill for the starter on the coffee table ....... $423. It was about $220 for the starter, $30 each service call (times two = $60) and $90 labour to actually do the job. Then 13% tax on top of that.

The good part about this, he was local (3 minute drive from cottage) so all the work was done right there in the dock where I store my boat. The marina where I have my boat serviced wanted me to bring it up to their place to work on it. Which is a half hour drive on the road and that would be included into my service bill. They would be the ones to come down, load the boat w/o power (unless he could manage to get it started) and trailer it up to their shop to work on it.

Even tho it seemed high, i'm somewhat confident that if I went with my original marina it could have been much more expensive then $423.

Getting back to the boat..... turns over like a DREAM! Yes it goes vaaaarooom again. New starters do wonders. :D

Wow, I too had an issue this past weekend with keeping mine started. After bobbling in the water for an hour, I turned her over and was bringing her about, when the engine shut down. When trying to restart I noticed the battery gauge dropped to 12V, normally sits at 13V.

Turned off all electrical items and sat for about 10 mins, then it turned over and was able to motor back to the dock. It was showing 13V + while running.

I suspect the battery is old and need to be replaced. Won't be able to get it checked out for a couple of weeks.

Thanks for this info, becuase I also suspect either a fuel pump, selenoid, or starter. Battery First :)

At the end of the season mine did the same thing. Click but no engage. replaced the starter and everything is back to normal. Actually had the starter replaced with the wrong one installed and then installed the correct one myself in about 30 minutes. Starter is about 130 and some change. Good luck