starter soleniod

[logger357]

I'm having a problem with my boats starting soleniod. I have purchased a new one, and put it on and it turned the engine over about three time and it quit working, can any one help me out as to what might be wrong? this is a 85hp around 1989

 

[ezeke]

Re: starter soleniod

Check the fuse in the fuse holder that is connected to the battery side large post on the solenoid.

You did buy a OMC/BRP solenoid?

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: starter soleniod

Make sure all connectors are clean, and tight. If the battery has wing nuts, replace with brass, or stainless steel. Check neautral safety switch for proper adjustment. Will the starter crank if you jump direct to battery, and is the battery good?

 

[logger357]

Re: starter soleniod

Yes I did check all fuses and no the solenoid I purchased was not oem.
Yes I can jump across the solenoid and the engine will start.
I was just out in my garage and test the old soleniod with the battery and I heard it engage, so I put it back on the engine and still nothing.
I did test to see if I was getting power from the switch to the soleniod and I am. Going crazy plaese help

 

[HighTrim]

Re: starter soleniod

Start by polishing and tightening all connections as stated. Dont just look at them , make them shine! Inspect all wiring for cuts, nicks, abrasions, or crunching when you flex it, which is a sure sign of corrosion.

Measure the voltage at the starter (+) terminal while somebody turns the key over to "start" - if you get within half a volt or so of the battery voltage(which should be 12.65 volts), the starter is faulty.

Bad voltage at starter (with clean tight connections), measure the voltage at the solenoid small terminal with the yellow/red wire with the key turned over to "start" you should read within a half-volt of battery voltage, otherwise you have a wiring fault between the keyswitch & solenoid. Good voltage at solenoid but bad voltage at starter means faulty solenoid.

Now connect a single jumper cable between the POS battery terminal and directly to the large terminal on the starter. If the starter spins each time you do that, the solenoid is likely the culprit.

Connect another jumper cable to the NEG battery terminal and a good ground (bare bolt head or bracket) on the engine. Now do the same test you did in previously. If the starter now goes ok, you still have a negative battery cable problem or the solenoid is bad.

 

[JB]

Re: starter soleniod

Troubleshooting steps are outlined in "Outboard won't start" in Engine FAQs. Do them and tell us what you find.

 

[ezeke]

Re: starter soleniod

If you have positive power to one small post from the ignition switch and a good ground to the other small post, the solenoid will engage.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: starter soleniod

If the neutral safety switch is faulty, or out of ajustment, the solinoid won't work.

 

[ezeke]

Re: starter soleniod

.....I did test to see if I was getting power from the switch to the soleniod and I am. Going crazy plaese help

If the (positive) power is reaching the solenoid from the ignition switch, the neutral safety switch at the remote control is not the problem.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: starter soleniod

That safety switch is the ground to the solinoid, it most certainly must work to complete the circuit.

 

[ezeke]

Re: starter soleniod

I certainly did not mean to cause offense, but the last year that the 85HP had the neutral switch on the ground wire at the engine was 1973.

After that the neutral start switch on the remote control is connected to the positive start circuit from the ignition switch and is the only one. The ground wire from the small post on the solenoid should be connected directly to the engine block.

 

[logger357]

Re: starter soleniod

Thank you all for your advice and help. I had done all that everyone has mentioned to do, and I even went out today and got a OEM solenoid for my motor that cost me 36 dollars. I did put it on and I wanted to come in and check with you all to see if I was missing anything.
I am afraid to try it in fear of it may ruin it, at the cost of 36 dollars ouch.
I did buy a 10 dollar solenoid from autozone and like I said it turn the motor over and I tried it about three time and it would not work. I did how ever tonight polished all the conection up. can any one think of anything else I need to check before turning the KEY.
Thanks so much to you all.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: starter soleniod

Did your testing tell you that the solenoid was bad?

What were your readings with your DVM?

 

[logger357]

Re: starter soleniod

When I checked the old solenoid , by turning the key to the start postion I had 12.59V on the small post. The soleniod did not click and I had no power to the out post. I believe I'm just going to give this new one a try and cross my finger. Wish me luck . I just hope it doesn't burn it u.

 

[jhebert]

Re: starter soleniod

This article may provide some guidance for isolating the problem:

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/electricStart.html

 

[logger357]

Re: starter soleniod

Hey all, the new solenoid seems to be working great. thanks so much to u all.
I hope that there is something I am able to help you all out with some day.

Thanks Again
Ed