mercruiser 4.3 starting problem slave soleniod

[ahspriteguy1]

I have a 2006 Mercruiser 4.3, sometimes it starts right up but usually it takes 5 or 6 tries. I have read other threads and found the attached trouble shooting a starting system. It makes it easy and everything checked out until I got to the slave solenoid. Again to clarify, my issue; I turn the key and just hear a click. I'll do this a number of times and finally it will immediately turn over and start. On the attached instructions #4 for testing the slave with attest light, it says to touch terminal J and it should light up. It does not but if I touch terminal k, the one closest to the two small terminals I get light. In #12 when I recheck J, its the same thing and I cannot get the small terminal M to light when the key is turned to start. They say this indicates a wiring problem between the neutral safety switch and the slave. HERE IS THE KICKER - If I jump the slave, the starter turns right over BUT my slave solenoid is hooked up backwards from the attached diagram - it shows the yellow wire connected to the large terminal closest to the two small terminals and the red wire on the opposite end. On mine, the red wire is hooked up to the K terminal closest to the two small terminals. This probably explains why J won't test light and why K will -because its wired backwards. Is this true is it wired backwards? if so why does it start after a few tries? I thought about switching the wires but thought if it is correct, it might fry something. my solenoid looks just like the one in the diagram.
Any help is appreciated!

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: mercruiser 4.3 starting problem slave soleniod

too many letters. The heavy yellow/ red stripe goes to a large lug of the slave. the red/purple goes to the other large lug.
a small yellow/red stripe comes from the neutral safety and goes to a small lug, the other small lug has a ground wire attached.

 

[achris]

Re: mercruiser 4.3 starting problem slave soleniod

Hello and welcome aboard.

First, can we ask for an engine serial number please. This is important for us to determine exactly which model 2006 4.3 you have.

Switching the wires on the solenoid will not harm it in any way, it also won't change anything. The solenoid is just an ON/OFF switch.

With the key turned (and held) to START you should have light on both large terminals of the solenoid. If you hear it click, but only one terminal has power, the solenoid is faulty... Replace it...

Chris....

 

[ahspriteguy1]

Re: mercruiser 4.3 starting problem slave soleniod

Thanks for the replies.
The serial number is 0W362424 Family 5M9XM04.3GME. I did not check both large terminals with the key held to start but I will tomorrow. Otherwise, if it doesn't matter which large terminal the wires are connected to, it sounds like it may be the neutral safety. Wiggling the shifter didn't seem to make any difference when trying to start it. Thanks

 

[achris]

Re: mercruiser 4.3 starting problem slave soleniod

If you hear the solenoid clicking, it's not the safety switch...

Chris......

 

[ahspriteguy1]

Re: mercruiser 4.3 starting problem slave soleniod

Just when I thought I was making progress...went down to the boat tonight to check bot slave contacts when the switch was at start and I couldn't get a click of the solenoid. I know it has clicked before and not started but not tonight. How difficult is the neutral safety to change out? I'm use to working on little British cars! Again I appreciate your help. Thanks

 

[achris]

Re: mercruiser 4.3 starting problem slave soleniod

Before you go pulling the control box apart, just verify that it is the neutral switch.

Put your test light on the small terminal of the solenoid with the yellow/red wire. That should light when you turn the key to START... If it does and you still don't get a 'click', then replace the solenoid.

If the light doesn't come on, then you'll find 2 wires (also yellow/red) coming from the control box. Follow those wires, they should lead back to the key switch (or close by). You'll find they are connected by a nut and bolt. To test the neutral switch, just join those wires together (don't unhook them, just join them). That effectively takes the neutral switch out of the circuit. If the solenoid now clicks, yes, the neutral switch is at fault.

Chris.......

 

[ahspriteguy1]

Re: mercruiser 4.3 starting problem slave soleniod

Thanks Chris. I'll let you know what I find.

 

[martyd]

Re: mercruiser 4.3 starting problem slave soleniod

Make sure all your contacts are clean use a little emery paper to rough them up, the solenoid being intermittent in my case has always been the starter solenoid not the slave and a tap usually confirms it,

 

[ahspriteguy1]

Re: mercruiser 4.3 starting problem slave soleniod

I found two sets of connections between the switch and the NS. One set was blade connections and one set was bullets. Moving them around, I was able to get a solenoid click. Working them a little more I got the engine to crank every time. Tomorrow I will clean them well. The only other issue I have is a trim gauge that works intermittently. I'll clean those connections too and cross my fingers.

Chris, you asked for my serial number - what did it tell you? I'm not sure which model engine or drive I have.

Thanks to all for the help. This is a great forum and I appreciate you taking the time to help me.