Starter relay 89 85HP

[1Scallywag]

Put a new switch in over the winter, after wiring I bumped starter, it kicked in a turned over motor. Pulled boat out Saturday to fire it up before trip to lake. Installed battery, hooked up hose, turned key and nothing???? Got out manual followed troubleshooting starter circuit. Had power evrywhere I should have except through starter relay. Put on new relay, still relay will not pass power.I have power on battery side and when key is in start position I have power to start side of relay. Cleaned all ground connections. I did replace water pump after I installed switch. Thought I may have moved linkage due to having to pull up on shift rod after reinstalling lower unit. When shifter is in neutral position, I turned propeller and seems to be in neutral.I have power through interlock switch. I have a duel battery switch on this boat thought battery may be a little low, even though I charged all batteries a few days ago. I installed the second battery and put switch to both. Still nothing. Any sugestions would be appriciated. Lost don't know where to start looking next???? Kevin

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Starter relay 89 85HP

I'm a little confused so: Take a jumper cable and jump either directly from the POS terminal of the battery or the battery side of the solenoid. Attach other end to the POS stud on the side of the starter (or if Bosch, I think some of them had the stud on the bottom) Anyway, the heavy red wire connects to it.

If the starter motor turns (will spark a bit) then the motor is good and you have either a bad solenoid or an improper circuit.

If the motor does not turn, it is either on a bad spot or the brushes are worn OR it needs a rebuild/replacement.

If you have 12 volts coming from the neutral interlock switch to the small terminal at the solenoid (yellow wire), then the key switch and interlock are good. Some solenoids are grounded through the case and if yours is like that be sure you are getting good ground. Other solenoids have a separate ground terminal and short black wire to the engine pan. If yours is like that be sure that the wire is connected and getting good ground.

Finally, if the primary side of the solenoid ( yellow and black wires) has voltage and the heavy duty starting circuit does not have voltage on the starter side, it is not inconceivable that the new solenoid has stuck open. give it a few sharp raps with a small hammer or such. Sometimes there is no substitute for getting medieval.

 

[JB]

Re: Starter relay 89 85HP

Do the starter circuit troubleshooting in the Engine FAQs, Scallywag.

The manual procedure overlooks some of the possibilities.

 

[1Scallywag]

Re: Starter relay 89 85HP

I forgot to mension that I installed a tilt and trim unit after I installed the switch. After I installed the second relay,I only hooked up the Starting circuit and not the tilt and trim. Turned right over. I have a new set of relays for the tilt and trim. I'm going to install them, and run its own circuit not using the starter relay to power the tilt and trim. Must have had a short in one of the relays. Thanks for the replys.