Burning up starter solenoids...why?

[kick bass]

Re: Burning up starter solenoids...why?

I had the same problem on an old 140 evinrude. Found they had put the wrong solenoid on it 3 times. they were for a ford truck. anyhow, check both of your battery cables. make sure all connections are tight, also make sure your battery is charged. weak voltage causes the contacts inside the solenoid to vibrate instead of closing properly. This causess metal transfer between the contacts, like points use to do on cars. without your starter turning, the solenoid will click hard the problem is the contacts are bad. to fix this problem first make sure you have a solenoid built for your engine. make sure all cables are tight. make sure you have a good, charged battery.

 

[McGR]

Re: Burning up starter solenoids...why?

Do you have any of your old presumeably bad solenoids? If you have an Ohmeter they are quite simple to test. Here is how to test if you are interested:

1. Coil Test: Place Ohmeter leads across two small terminals - resistance should measure somewhere around 3 to 6 Ohms. If you get no reading the coil is open. If you read 0 Ohms the coil is shorted. Note: The probability of the coil being shorted is low.

2. High Current Contact Test: Place Ohmeter leads across large terminals. Place 12Vdc across the small terminals. When 12Vdc is present across the small terminals the resistance across the large terminals should be 0 Ohms. When the 12V is removed there should be infinate resistance (open). Cycle this test several times to be sure you get consistant results. Burnt/pitted internal contacts will often produce incosistant/intermittant readings.

These simple tests will usually confirm if the solenoid is operating correctly. If your old solenoid passes these tests, chances are the problem is somewhere else.

 

[Vic.S]

Re: Burning up starter solenoids...why?

I agree with McGR's suggestions.
Find out what is actually going wrong with these solenoids. Coil failing or contacts burning.

 

[James R]

Re: Burning up starter solenoids...why?

Replace the rubber insulator with a new one. They are available from your OMC dealer. Take great care in bolting down.