Yamaha T8 starter problems

[Starfish]

Looking for ideas here. My T8 started occasionally failing to turn over on the first press of the start button a few months ago and it's getting progressively worse to the point where I have to bang on the cowling to get it to start... lately I'm starting the kicker in the morning and leaving it running all day (luckily in a place where I don't have to run between holes).

At first I assumed the neutral switch was faulty so I tried jiggling the shift lever back and forth but it didn't seem to help. I still haven't ruled out that possibility but it didn't seem like a smoking gun.

I took the starter off and tore it down, sanded the commutator, inspected the brushes and didn't see any obvious problems.

I recalled that my accessory battery that the kicker is wired to was bought in 2003 so thought maybe it was weak. I thought it was confirmed when I hooked up one of those jump start batteries and it fired right up. But it turned out to be false euphoria... I changed the battery and it's back to the same tricks.

So once again I'm resorting to banging on the cowling, jiggling the shifter, and repeatedly pressing the button until it begrudgingly turns over. When it does turn over, it sometimes engages the bendix (which moves freely) and sometimes clicks in and out. Other times (frequently) it doesn't do anything at all, no click, no whirr. Luckily it only needs to crank for a fraction of a second before it starts.

So has anyone heard of problems with either the starter switch, neutral switch, or starter relay (if there is one) on a T8? Anybody know where the neutral switch or starter relay are located so I can check them out?

Thanks for any advice!

[twisted lines]

Parts diagram on (boats.net) and its an excellent place to buy switches, buttons ect........ good luck. Twisted lines

[Starfish]

Thanks- that's a great site, the diagrams are a big help. I'll dig in and chase a few switches and relays with the meter and see if I can find a culprit.

Anybody have any experience with this on a T8?

[5150Dan]

I had a similar problem. Mine sounded as if starter was turning over but noy engaging to the flywheel, It happened twice and then started. I haven't had that happen again, I remember reading something about that condition on a forum. I've been searching for it but can't locate it.If i can locate it I'll forward it to you.

Dan

[twisted lines]

Originally Posted by Starfish

Thanks- that's a great site, the diagrams are a big help. I'll dig in and chase a few switches and relays with the meter and see if I can find a culprit.

Anybody have any experience with this on a T8?

Your Quite welcome! glad to help what little I could or did.

[Mrdorkfish]

Get a pull start 8hp Honda.

RopePull'nLou

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by Mrdorkfish

Get a pull start 8hp Honda.

RopePull'nLou

I did, for about five years. Nice kicker but I like the T8 a lot better.

[twisted lines]

Originally Posted by Starfish

I did, for about five years. Nice kicker but I like the T8 a lot better.

That right there is funny, troubles and still like it better! I guess that says something.

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by twisted lines

That right there is funny, troubles and still like it better! I guess that says something.

Might have something to do with the fact that I've put several thousand hours on this T8 in the past five years. I'm not particularly upset that some parts are wearing out after what I put it through.

[Hellibut]

Yes I did have this problem and it was the nuetral switch. It takes about 2 minutes to test it. Unplug the wires from the nuetral switch and then plug them in to each other effectively bypassing the switch. I'm sure it was not on purpose but the wire connectors mate up perfectly on both sides of the switch. In any case this will at least eliminate one potential problem.

[Starfish]

Sweet! Good news, I started tracing the wiring and found some bad insulation on the wires to the starter switch. I still need to take it apart and fix the wiring but by jiggling the damaged wires it's starting 100%.
Thanks all, for the suggestions.

[sidewinder]

Originally Posted by Hellibut

Yes I did have this problem and it was the nuetral switch. It takes about 2 minutes to test it. Unplug the wires from the nuetral switch and then plug them in to each other effectively bypassing the switch. I'm sure it was not on purpose but the wire connectors mate up perfectly on both sides of the switch. In any case this will at least eliminate one potential problem.

I had to jiggle the shift lever at times to get mine to start for a while. Bypassing the nuetral safty switch is handy. I like to start my motor in gear. I ended up taking my t-8 to 3 rivers, and they fixed it under warrenty. Then I plugged those 2 brown wires togather to disconnect the switch.

[Mrdorkfish]

Originally Posted by twisted lines

That right there is funny, troubles and still like it better! I guess that says something.

So, do all T8's come with wiring problems or is that an option???



Lou

[foxer]

Originally Posted by Mrdorkfish

So, do all T8's come with wiring problems or is that an option???



Lou

Only when mounted on a Hewescraft...