Engine won't crank

[rstuyt]

Hi, I've got an interesting problem, at least it is interesting to me. I've got a 1997 Challenger 1800 with the twin rotax engines. Today I went to flush them and then winterize the engines. The port engine fires right up but the starboard cranks for less than a second with a bit of a grinding noise. Then nothing. If I pull the plugs then it cranks just fine but with the plugs in it does nothing.

Any thoughts? I'm thinking starter but I'm not sure.

 

[Coastiejoe]

It does sound like the starter. You could swap them to know for sure.

Use only OEM starters as aftermarket just don't hold up.

 

[racerxxx]

Had the same problem with me Speedster years ago just the opposite direction on the engines. It was the battery. I'd pull the battery and charge it over night and try again. Could be the starter, but the battery is an easier try first

 

[rstuyt]

racexxx, I hadn't tested the battery. just assumed since it started one engine it would start the other. This is the simplest fix so I think I will start by testing the battery. thanks