Ignition switch or solenoid?

[SSTKO81]

Hello y'all! Last summer my '81 Merc 140 had an issue with continuing to turn over even when I turned the key off. I ended up frying the starter, which I replaced along with the solenoid (not the one on the starter). This morning I tried to start her up and got NO response at the key, but when I jumped the posts on the solenoid she started right up and turned off normally at the key. Did I rewire the solenoid wrong or is my switch just shot? Schematics available for the starter and solenoid?

 

[Don S]

Re: Ignition switch or solenoid?

Did I rewire the solenoid wrong or is my switch just shot?

Have no idea if you did it wrong, pull it over to my house and I'll have a look. OR........
Post some pictures of your solenoids.

 

[SSTKO81]

Re: Ignition switch or solenoid?

LOL... Thanks Don. I'll try to round up a pic or two to try and clarify a few things.

 

[SSTKO81]

Re: Ignition switch or solenoid?

View attachment 100689View attachment 100690
Hopefully these pictures show up.... -and you can tell what you're looking at....

 

[Don S]

Re: Ignition switch or solenoid?

Kind of looks like you have the wrong type solenoid there and the wiring is all screwed up.
Are there any letters on the small terminals of the slave solenoid? (the new white one) and what is the manufacturer and part number of the slave solenoid?

 

[SSTKO81]

Re: Ignition switch or solenoid?

From what I can tell you may be right about it being the wrong solenoid. I can't find a manufacturer stamp on in, just the number 1009. THere are some letters on the small terminals. Where the Black wire attaches is "S". Where the Yellow/Red is coming in is "I". I went back and checked out what Iboats offers for that engine and the ARCO SW275 looks exactly like what used to be on there before this one was put on. -but a solenoid is basically just a remote switch, right? isn't its funtion fairly universal?

 

[Don S]

Re: Ignition switch or solenoid?

Where the Black wire attaches is "S". Where the Yellow/Red is coming in is "I".

Yes, you have the wrong type of solenoid.

-but a solenoid is basically just a remote switch, right? isn't its funtion fairly universal?

That's what get's people into trouble. The outside can look the same, but what happens inside and how the insides work are completely different in many kinds of them.

On that particular solenoid, neither of the small termainals are for ground. So, when you would engage the solenoid, you created a direct short.

Which would you rather do, get the correct part so you don't have problems next time if it happens, or just change some things and use the one you have?

 

[Don S]

Re: Ignition switch or solenoid?

How to wire present solenoid

Although it's the wrong solenoid, it will work. Here is how to hook it up if you decide to use it.
Use the wiring letters in the .pdf file below

Starting with wire marked A

A - Stays where it's at. Goes from slave solenoid to starter solenoid and is ok if not melted. Looks a bit melted on the starter solenoid.

B - Assuming this is the power to the solenoid, it will stay as is.

C - Is the Yellow/red wire coming from your ignition switch. This must hook to the small terminal marked S on the solenoid DO NOT hook it to I. The I terminal of the slave solenoid will NOT be used in this application.

D - Have no idea what this yellow wire is, but it shouldn't be on the slave solenoid.

G1,G2 - are hooked up ok. If G1 is actually the main battery cable, it should be hooked to the engine block on one of the bellhousing bolts.

G3. - This is the one that is probably your biggest problem. It needs to hook up at the same place as the G1 and G2 terminals do. It's is the ground for the slave solenoid coil.

With it hooked up as above, it should work normally if nothing is burned up.

 

[SSTKO81]

Re: Ignition switch or solenoid?

Worked perfectly as you described. Thank you so much! You truely are the oracle by the sea. lol But once I get to the marina I'll get the correct solenoid and wire it corectly. Thanks again for all your help.