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I was running antifreeze through my raw water system to winterize the boat, the engine started to turn slowly, as if the batteries were low. I charged 'em up. Same thing. The wire going from the starter to the bonding system got HOT.....like melt the plastic hot. Any ideas?
I have not had any problems with charging, or the starter. It happened very suddenly, one second turning over fine, the next second........not.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Steve

Check all your battery cable connections on both ends first....remove, wire brush or scrape with a knife, shoot with CX and re assemble. The fact that the wire is getting that hot indicates a lot of current is flowing, so might be a dragging starter.

UV

Thanks, Vic. I've been waiting for a spot of good weather, in vain, to try your suggestion. BTW, what are the ramifications of a "dragging" starter? Rust? crapped out entirely? Not something I have encountered yet.
Steve

Bendix stuck extended. It could be corrosion or a broken return spring.

...and after a brief respite, Steve is back to the joys of boat owndership....

Take it out, spray with CX if it's a stuck or lazy Bendix. Actually a few hammer taps sometimes works.Once you've gone through the trouble of taking it out, you might as well have it bench tested at an alternater/starter rebuilder.

I've seen starters where the bendix got stuck in the out position-the starter kept going after the engine was running, and burned out. But the starter ran at the usual speed! I should be able to see it without taking it off, yes?

The wire you say goes from the starter to the bonding system should be tied to the battery ground.

It sounds like the ground cable feed from the battery is bad and its trying to get the ground thru the bonding wire.

Since its a much smaller guage wire, reason for getting hot, that could be why the starter is turning over slowly because its not seeing the proper amperage.

I knew the expert would get it!!! Good catch Bruce! Bad negative battery wire!

Thanks Bruce!! That sounds like the truth
I take back what I said about you needing to get out more
'cause of the "Christmas" thread. (LOL!!)

What a site!