Starter won't disengage... AT ALL!?!?!

[GoldLS1]

Re: Starter won't disengage... AT ALL!?!?!

I forgot to mention that I did check the neutral switch, it is working correctly. Guess I'll order a new switch.

I'm not worried about taking it out and having problems any more, I just want to get the boat working properly before I take it back out in the cold weather! Luckly with all the tips and tricks mentioned, I think I can get it to run without a switch and battery. NOW if only I could get it run using the battery and switch!!

 

[GoldLS1]

Re: Starter won't disengage... AT ALL!?!?!

Alright I'm at wits end. I feel like I'm throwing parts at a problem! I replaced the ignition switch and it still won't turn over with the key!!

Where does the yellow wire on the ignition switch get it's power from?

I've tested the following:
Removed kill switch
Tilt works
Choke works
Neutral safety switch (ive jumped the wires together and left them apart neither fixed it)
Jumped the two large post on the starter solenoid the motor tried to start.

What else could be the problem?!?!

 

[jason32038]

Re: Starter won't disengage... AT ALL!?!?!

Yes judging by your first post with the solenoid being stuck and you replacing it and you also replacing the ignition switch you could have the ground and yellow mixed up on the solenoid. Also the entire switch is powered by the red wire which runs from the powerhead. It could also be a bad connection from the yellow on the switch. Replace that connector and try again if switching the solenoid wires around doesnt fix it. Sometimes just touching wires can cause a bad connection on corroded connections. Did you test the yellow at the neutral switch with the key turned to start? It only sends power to yellow when you turn key to start so you will need a helper. The first thing I would do is test the yellow at the solenoid with a helper turning the key to start. If you have power at yellow swap the wires.

 

[GoldLS1]

Re: Starter won't disengage... AT ALL!?!?!

Thanks for the response Jason. I forgot to mention I tested the yellow wire and "S" post on back of the ignition switch with the key in "start" (my wife helped).... no volts on the old or new switch.

Is there anything that would prevent the ignition switch from giving power to the "s" post on the back? The neutral switch is downstream right?

 

[GoldLS1]

Re: Starter won't disengage... AT ALL!?!?!

Well problem solved finally!! A late night of digging to find the service manual and some reading revealed the ignition testing order diagram. Step #1 Test battery. Battery good. Step #2 Test "B" on ignition switch. "B" good. Step #3 Test "S" on ignition switch. NO GOOD. **If no good Check ground**

I knew my grounds were all good, I checked them 4 or 5 times by now. I decided to rip all the wiring out from under the console and look for bad wires/connections. Then I saw it.

Background story: When I added my switches last year, I ran the ignition switch ground wire to the accessories terminal block under the console then ran a single wire back to the battery. I have two sets of wires that I hook up to the starter battery: the motor + and - posts and the accessories + and - posts.

Solution: This whole time I haven't hooked up the accessories + or - because I wasn't using them (horn, fish finder, bilge, navi lights, front spot lights, and cig outlet). So I hooked up the - accessories post to the battery and wouldn't you know it, the motor turned over and fired right up. WOW talk about a dumb dumb move!!

Anyhow once again thanks to all that let me pick their brain. I learned a lot, spent some $$$, had lots of late angry nights, drank a little bit too much, but in the end it was all worth it!! I could have bought a new boat I guess, but fixing up and working on older one makes you really appreciate what you have. Tomorrow morning we'll be taking my boat to the duck blind!!