intermittant starter problem volvo/penta 5.8

[briandownunda]

Hi,<br /><br />I have a 1996 23' Chris-craft concept bowrider with a 5.8 liter ford powered volvo penta sterndrive. I have an intermittant starting problem. Either the starter engages and works great, or there is nothing, not even a click. I have checked all the connections that I can find, cleaned, tightened, etc and have even replaced the starter switch but the problem still happens.<br /><br />The last time we took the boat out it just outright failed and now matter what I did I got nothing out of the starter when turning the ignition key. After I got it home, the next day I got out my multimeter to see if I was getting voltage at the starter but the problem had gone away and the boat started up perfectly.<br /><br />Any suggestions ?<br /><br />Question, how does the shifter disable the starter from engaging when not in neutral ? Am wondering if there is a problem with that circuit. Any suggestions for further diagnosis would be much appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Brian