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Starter Relay Problems

Your old Chris-Craft electrical system can be a challenge. If it runs on "juice" pose your questions and offer your advice here.

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bongocruiser
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Starter Relay Problems

Post by bongocruiser » Fri Jun 26, 2015 6:57 pm

So I have a 1942 Chris Craft Special with a model K Herc. The first Starter relay/solenoid lasted the first 35 years I owned the boat until the end of last season. The symptom was that after turning off the starter button, the starter would keep running and I had to disconnect the battery to make it stop. Electrical continuity across the big terminals with all wires disconnected. So I replaced it with a "new" one from NAPA and it lasted about 1 month, so I replaced it again and it lasted about 1 week, and about 10 minutes ago it happened again after only 2 boat runs. Just to be sure I also put a new starter button in the boat before this happened.


So here is my question, Am I getting a batch old defective starter solenoid/relays from NAPA (they are made in China) or is there something I'm doing to make them blow. I have a 6V battery and 6V starter, everything is 6V. I was cranking for about 45 seconds-would that do it?

Thanks
Joe Oliver
Lake Winola

jim g
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Re: Starter Relay Problems

Post by jim g » Fri Jun 26, 2015 9:59 pm


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bongocruiser
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Re: Starter Relay Problems

Post by bongocruiser » Sat Jun 27, 2015 1:03 pm

I found a NOS stock one I'm going to try.

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Re: Starter Relay Problems

Post by evansjw44 » Sat Jun 27, 2015 6:45 pm

I'd have the starter tested. It might have shorted turns in the field windings that would cause it to draw excessive current that welds the solenoid contacts.
Jim Evans

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Re: Starter Relay Problems

Post by bongocruiser » Mon Aug 10, 2015 7:52 pm

Once I put in a NOS solenoid it worked fine. I think the China made ones at NAPA were my problem.

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