Bad Starter or Locked Up???

[Th3Skipper]

Hey guys,
I have a 96 GSX that ive used 5 or 6 times this year. I went out to start it yesterday and it just clicks. Charged the battery (new this season) and checked the voltage at 12.8. Put it back in the ski and it still just clicks. Removed the plugs and the same thing... just clicks. I felt the starter and it was hot as balls. Im going to put a pipe wrench on the shaft and see if it turns. Will a bad starter act like this?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Bills86e]

787's eat starters for breakfast. Get an OEM starter.

 

[Th3Skipper]

yeah? I tried to turn the shaft with a pipe wrench and i couldnt do it. Should I be able to turn it smoothly? Also my mechanic friend looked at the plugs and one had small signs of water. The thing that boggles me is that I put it away running just fine. It only sat foe 2 weeks....

Bill you think its still the starter???

 

[Bills86e]

Hope you fog when shutting down the ski for the day. Bipping a few times to get
tuned pipe water far away from engine. Suggest you put a few tablespoons of half
gas, half oil down plug holes and let it set a day, then crank with plugs out.

 

[Th3Skipper]

I did bipp it a bunch before I shut down the last time I used it.

Ive been spraying sh*t down the cylinders and trying to turn the shaft with no luck as of yet. It seems like the starter bangs but no go.... Im not sure how to approach my next step. I guess its time to pull the motor.

 

[tshorty454]

My 96 xp does the same thing, and this is after i had it towed for a dead battery. I was able to get the motor loose and i could turn it clockwise a quarter turn then when i tried to start it, it catches on something. I took the roatary valve off and that was part of the problem. it was cracked a little. now it is catchin on something else and i cant figure it out either. i dont think anyone else knows cause im not getting any answers on it. might be time for a motor!

 

[Th3Skipper]

How were you turning it? I put a pipe wrench on the shaft inside the ski between the motor and the seal. I cant get a turn on mine....

 

[tshorty454]

it should turn both ways by hand when the plugs are out. mine just wont turn its catching on something, if i turn it clockwise it will break free then i cant turn it both ways about a quearter turn. when i hit start, it catches.

 

[keikraik]

Im having the same issue with a 97 GSI, and haven't found any concrete answers out in forumville...hoping someone has figured it out?

 

[Bills86e]

Water/moisture caused this

Hey guys,
I have a 96 GSX that ive used 5 or 6 times this year. I went out to start it yesterday and it just clicks. Charged the battery (new this season) and checked the voltage at 12.8. Put it back in the ski and it still just clicks. Removed the plugs and the same thing... just clicks. I felt the starter and it was hot as balls. Im going to put a pipe wrench on the shaft and see if it turns. Will a bad starter act like this?

Thanks for any help!

No it will not. Water intrusion usually is cause, heats up from grime, then
the brush wires burn. Never try to start a ski with a lower than fully charged battery or jump start, Especially from a running vehicle. When can damage the Bendix to the point where it breaks internally, but a starter usually can be cleaned if removed. Bills86e

HOT also means the wires only have a few strands carrying the load, so they
become like an element. I cut hundreds of battery cable ends and solder &
shrink-wrap as they rot internally at the lugs, and can't tranfer the load.