Solenoid click and no start.

S

SeattleMatt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 22, 2004
Messages
237
I'm a bit frustrated and I would love some help. My boat left me stranded at a marina until I figured out how to short the solenoid terminals to start it. It doesn't turn over, just makes a clicking sound when the key is turned.

Upon further investigation the clicking sound seems to come from a 4 pole "junction box solenoid"? mounted above the starter and connected to starter slave solenoid.

Shorting the solenoid posts starts right up

installed slave solenoid mounted on starter--no luv

any ideas?
 
WAVENBYE2

WAVENBYE2

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 28, 2007
Messages
1,636
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

Had exactly the same problem last week at the lake, did the same thing, basically hot wired her, and it was the slave solenoid, replaced it for $9.99
4 post. and she fires right up. Oh ya forgot to mention that I also had a loose wire under the dash at the ignition, messed with the wire and fuel pump kicks on too, two problems at once, use your wire tester, its a life saver on the water so you can HOPEFULLY fix her right on the spot, Good luck!
 
S

SeattleMatt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 22, 2004
Messages
237
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

Thanks for the responses.

I am going to bring a multimeter down today and perform some tests. It looks like my nomenclature was a little off. According to the diagram in the link the slave solenoid is the smaller of the two and the one on the starter is the master?

In any case, we have replaced both solenoids and still the same problem. The slave solenoid clicks but nothing happens. It still starts by jumping the posts on the master solenoid.

I was thinking that the slave solenoid might not be getting power on its high current side, where the red/purple hit the yellow/red.

Why/when would the red/purple have 12v? Is it tied to the ignition key?
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

It would really help if we knew what engine you were working on.
 
S

SeattleMatt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 22, 2004
Messages
237
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

I'm sorry it is a 1992 alpha 1 mercruiser 3.0l

so today I tested again and all tests point to bad slave solenoid. Only problem is I replaced with a new one and got the same results

1. Jumping the wires between the terminals does not fix it
2. Jumping a wire from the battery directly to the slave solenoid starts the engine
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

Have you tested the slave solenoid to see if it's working as explained in the how to article? All you have to do is check with a meter on the red/purple wire to see if there is power. It will have power any time the battery is connected. If you have power there, put your meter on the BIG yellow/red terminal on the other big post and see if you get power to it when you turn the ignition switch to the START position. If it clicks and no power to the big yellow/red wire, then your NEW solenoid is defective.Wouldn't be the first new part bad from the beginning.
 
S

SeattleMatt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 22, 2004
Messages
237
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

Ok I'm thinking perhaps the red/purple wire is not providing enough current. Where does this wire terminate?
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

Ok I'm thinking perhaps the red/purple wire is not providing enough current.
Click to expand...
Don't think about it, go test it and see if you have battery voltage on it.
 
S

SeattleMatt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 22, 2004
Messages
237
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

So I tested purple/red wire to battery and got 8 ohms.
Tested to the circuit breaker (both sides) and got 8 ohms
where else does this wire go?

I assume 8 ohms is too much resistance
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

Check them for voltage, not ohms.
 
S

SeattleMatt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 22, 2004
Messages
237
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

Ok it tests at 12v from ground on the battery
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

OK, you have voltage at the red/purple wire on the large terminal.
Since you have voltage, have a friend turn the ignition switch to start and see if there is voltage to the other big terminal on the solenoid (the one with the yellow/red wire)
 
S

SeattleMatt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 22, 2004
Messages
237
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

So I made a jumper from the circuit beaker direct to the purple red post
anyreason why this wouldn't be a long term fix?
I wil perform the othertestlater
 
WAVENBYE2

WAVENBYE2

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 28, 2007
Messages
1,636
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

Have you cleaned your connections on the battery, and your sure you have enough juice in your battery, a low battery can also have the same affect or not good connection on the battery, check ALL your connections (ALL) to starter, solenoid, battery etc...
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

So I made a jumper from the circuit beaker direct to the purple red post anyreason why this wouldn't be a long term fix?
Click to expand...

You have voltage there already, what good will it do ????

You really just don't have a clue about electricity, do you.
 
S

SeattleMatt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 22, 2004
Messages
237
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

It measured at 12v but I suspect the amperage is not enough to do the job due to corrosion or some bad connection within the harness. At least that's my best guess.
 
WAVENBYE2

WAVENBYE2

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 28, 2007
Messages
1,636
Re: Solenoid click and no start.

Did you clean all your connections?? Battery,solenoid,Etc........
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top