ignitioin switch wont start motor, although short starter motor will

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marine11

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Oct 15, 2010
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I have a Mariner 70hp with Mercontrol with the choke up top and the ignition switch in the front of box, when i bought this boat, the guy previous to me took the control box apart to see why it wouldnt start, it does start with a screw driver on the starter motor, just nothing happens when you turn the key.

How can i test to see if the switch is faulty or something else, before i go and buy a new switch for $70.

Thanks
 
Barnacle_Bill

Barnacle_Bill

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Re: ignitioin switch wont start motor, although short starter motor will

Jump from the + side of the battery to the small wire on the solenoid. (I think it's yellow/something) If the starter works then you know the solenoid is good and the problem is with the wiring going to the switch or the wiring itself. You can check that with a volt meter. You should have 12VDC at that wire when trying to start it with the key.
 
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ljohns5582

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Re: ignitioin switch wont start motor, although short starter motor will

The large red wire should be hot (at the starter solenoid)when the battery is attached. When the key is turned to start, power is applied to one of the small terminals with the other small terminal tied to ground. This in turn, closes the contacts to allow current to flow through the solenoid to the other large terminal which in turn applies power to the starter.
 
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CharlieB

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Re: ignitioin switch wont start motor, although short starter motor will

The backside of the ignition switch should have a Yellow wire with a thin red line. This wire should show 12 V when you turn the key to Start.

From there, this wire goes to the a Starter Lock-out switch in the Control Box that will only allow contact when in Neutral. Check this switch as a problem here will not allow the starter to function.

DO NOT by-pass the Starter lock-out switch except for testing, as this leave a potentially dangerous condition, like starting the boat in gear and dumping the driver/passengers out of the boat.
 
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marine11

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Re: ignitioin switch wont start motor, although short starter motor will

I have checked the ingnition switch, and the yellow and red wire have 12v on start position, i can hear a tic in the engine front everytime i try to start, its not a continous ticking its just once to every turn to start posotion.

so now i know the ignition is ok, what is the next step, and how do i check the nuetral safety swich is in operating order.
 
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lockedandloaded

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Re: ignitioin switch wont start motor, although short starter motor will

I had the same problem on my 1350. It turned out to be the battery. Have it "load tested" or swap it for a known good one. Hope this helps.
 
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marine11

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Re: ignitioin switch wont start motor, although short starter motor will

I am using my car battery, so it should be fine, it starts my car so why wouldnt it start my outboard.
 
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CharlieB

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Re: ignitioin switch wont start motor, although short starter motor will

marine11 said:
I have checked the ingnition switch, and the yellow and red wire have 12v on start position, i can hear a tic in the engine front everytime i try to start, its not a continous ticking its just once to every turn to start posotion.

so now i know the ignition is ok, what is the next step, and how do i check the nuetral safety swich is in operating order.
Click to expand...

If you are hearing this 'tic' chances are that the starter lock-out switch is fine, the problem may be poor contacts inside the starter relay.

Test the small yellow wire w/red line on the starter relay, it should show 12V while the key is held in the start position. Have a helper turn the key while you check for voltage. If the relay is the 'tic' sound then then test for 12V to the starter, if none, replace the relay.
 
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joed

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Re: ignitioin switch wont start motor, although short starter motor will

marine11 said:
I have checked the ingnition switch, and the yellow and red wire have 12v on start position, i can hear a tic in the engine front everytime i try to start, its not a continous ticking its just once to every turn to start posotion.

so now i know the ignition is ok, what is the next step, and how do i check the nuetral safety swich is in operating order.
Click to expand...

The 'tick' is probably the start solenoid engaging. Sounds like the start solenoid is bad. Check the connections to the battery and the starter.
 
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marine11

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Re: ignitioin switch wont start motor, although short starter motor will

when i use a screw driver in between the two bolt on the start solenoid to short it, it fires i will check if there is any voltage in the starter tonight.

Thanks
 
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marine11

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Re: ignitioin switch wont start motor, although short starter motor will

How can i test the starter solenoid
 
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