[Snowaterdude]

Here is my new problem with my 93 Talari 5.0 L. When I turn the key to start it, 50% of the time I will only hear a "click" sound and the starter doesn't wind. Then I turn the key to "off, try again and it starts.

I have a brand new battery in it and today I removed all cables(wires) going from the battery to the solonoid and to the starter. I cleaned them all up with my Dremel, then put some dialectric grease on all wires. The boat still starts every second try. I know for a fact that those wires are in top shape because I checked them all. The clicking noise I hear tells me the solonoid is in fact working! Am I right? I suspect the starter is slowly failing....What do you guys think?
Thanks!
Rick

[Captain Steve]

With old cars it seemed like starter motors would sometimes lose a rotor (or stator?) field and would intermittently not crank. I am not familiar enough with marine starter motors to know if this could happen. An OE from 1993 seems pretty good though. Back in the day it seemed like automobile starters would crap out after 5 to 10 years (or less). Maybe marine starters are only good for 16 years.