Starter Help

[ctburke]

Hey guys...

As it so often goes...I thought I had my 98 GSXL ready to roll but when I put it in the water it wouldn't start. I just finished rebuilding the carbs and replacing the fuel lines and all the other maintainence that should be done when buying an older ski.

Turned out that we needed to remove the exhaust in order to repair a throttle cable mount and replace the cable itself while we were in there. So after we had the whole thing put back together, we ran it on the hose for a few minutes.

Well, while we were cranking it over we noticed it sounded as if the starter was going. It sounded pretty rough.

I was definitely frustrated and I said forget it, hopefully it will last this season and I'll replace it in the winter. But that plan never works out, does it?

So I dropped it in the water yesterday and the starter wouldn't engage. I heard it making a zzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzz sound...but it never engaged the flywheel and never turned the engine over.

I have found a new starter for $85 and I am going to put it on this weekend or next week I guess.

Here's my question: is there an easy way to go about this? These skis have so litttle room. I guess I need to remove the exhaust and the carbs again (maddening because they just went back on less than 48 hours ago).

Any other suggestions?

I can't wait to get this thing running!!

 

[Dr Honda]

I have found a new starter for $85 and I am going to put it on this weekend or next week I guess.


Any other suggestions?

Please tell us that you didn't buy an aftermarket eBay starter. They have been known to fail after a few starts.


Yes... you can get them out, but it's not easy. a few extensions, and possibly a wobble socket, and you can get them out.

 

[ctburke]

Please tell us that you didn't buy an aftermarket eBay starter. They have been known to fail after a few starts.


Yes... you can get them out, but it's not easy. a few extensions, and possibly a wobble socket, and you can get them out.

Well I haven't ordered it yet, but yeah, that's where I found it.

What is a better place to get one?

Thanks for the help!

 

[ski-d00]

Most of the time, you don't need a new starter. Just take yours apart and clean everything, they normally work like new and last for several years without issue or until they start to rust up internally again.

are you sure your battery is strong? many people will think they have a bad starter when it is really a weak battery, take the plugs out and see how it turns over.

you don't have to remove the exhaust to take out the starter or the carbs. reinstalling the exhaust is more complicated than people think on the 951 and it must be done properly or your engine will go boom.

 

[Dr Honda]

Yep... what he said.

Your best bet is to clean your's, or better yet, get a rebuild kit, and rebuild the factory starter. (less than $30 on ebay)

 

[ctburke]

Thanks guys. I did check to make sure it wasn't the battery. I ended up replacing the battery with a brand new one. But, like I said, we heard the starter skipping and missing and knew it didn't have too long.

 

[ctburke]

Most of the time, you don't need a new starter. Just take yours apart and clean everything, they normally work like new and last for several years without issue or until they start to rust up internally again.

are you sure your battery is strong? many people will think they have a bad starter when it is really a weak battery, take the plugs out and see how it turns over.

you don't have to remove the exhaust to take out the starter or the carbs. reinstalling the exhaust is more complicated than people think on the 951 and it must be done properly or your engine will go boom.

We didn't take out the exhaust to get to the carbs. But when we were putting the carbs back on we noticed the throttle cable was barely holding on (a few threats). Also, on the front of the engine, the bracket the hold the cable rusted through and snapped off. So we had to remove the exhaust to get to that bracket to replace it. (I was expecting the exhaust to be a bigger job but it wasn't too bad and definitley made it easier to work on it).

Isn't the starter underneath the carbs? I have no idea how to get to that without removing all of that stuff.

Am I right? Is that where the starter is?

 

[ski-d00]

yes, it under the carbs but the carbs don't get in the way, just remove the airbox and work from the back of the motor. since you're not familiar with this area, use a mirror to see everything but it is not a difficult job. there is a bracket where the neg ground cable attaches that holds the starter in at the back of the motor, remove the 2 bolts that bolt through the bracket and into the motor, the 10mm lock nut that holds the pos cable on, then the starter can be pulled out. you will probably have to wiggle, twist, and pull to get the starter out, they tend to be a little stuck.

 

[ctburke]

yes, it under the carbs but the carbs don't get in the way, just remove the airbox and work from the back of the motor. since you're not familiar with this area, use a mirror to see everything but it is not a difficult job. there is a bracket where the neg ground cable attaches that holds the starter in at the back of the motor, remove the 2 bolts that bolt through the bracket and into the motor, the 10mm lock nut that holds the pos cable on, then the starter can be pulled out. you will probably have to wiggle, twist, and pull to get the starter out, they tend to be a little stuck.

Thanks a lot! I know where it is now that you mention the negative lead coming off of the battery. Great. Well hopefully this will be enough to get the thing wet! It has been one thing after another. To be expected, I know, when you buy an older ski. And I only paid $1,200 for it so it was a good deal. But I am definitely ready to get riding!

Thanks for the help!
Chris