Another starting/ solenoid question (OMC)

[lakelivin]

Sorry guys, I searched the site, read previous relevent threads, but still have a question. 1989 OMC 4.3l.<br /><br />My symptoms are allmost exactly like those in the "4.3.lx starter clicking????" thread. (Click when I turn the key, after doing it a couple of tiimes it will start). <br /><br />As per previous suggestions, I sanded and cleaned all of the battery, solenoid, and slave soledoind terminals.<br /><br />I then used the method suggested by Don to check the slave solenoid. Hooked up test light to one of the large posts on the slave (live). Hooked up the test light to the other large post (dead until I hit the starter). When I hit the starter, not only did the light fire up, but it started every time. When I took the test light off and tried to start, same problem as at the beginning.<br /><br />Just me in the boat, so i needed to rig the test light so I could see it while at the console to turn the key. I clipped the positive lead to the slave post and ran a wire from the negative lead and clamped it to main ground screw (the one for the starter, etc.)<br /><br />So I'm wondering if the difference is that there's a problem with the ground at the slave solenoid; maybe I bridged it when I hooked the negative test light lead to the main grounding screw and thats why I had no problem starting?<br /><br />I was looking at the Clymer's wiring diagram and realized that I don't know how the slave is grounded. Is it grounded just by how it's connected to the motor instead of with any wires? If so, might I stand a good chance of solving the problem if I take the entire slave off and clean up the bolts and contact area?<br /><br />I'm winging it, trying to deduce some things I have little knowledge about, so go easy on me, lol.<br /><br />Thanks for input.

 

[Don S]

Re: Another starting/ solenoid question (OMC)

Your solenoid is grounded through the mounting bolts. Also make sure the plate the slave solenoid is mounted to is mounted solid and no corrosion. Did you check your main engine ground wire for good solid clean connections?<br /><br />

 

[Lou C]

Re: Another starting/ solenoid question (OMC)

Those engine ground studs can get pretty corroded. I cleaned em up when I put in my dual battery system last spring. They are right at the end of the block, where the bellhousing bolts on, you have to reach around the exhaust hoses to get to em. After I changed all the batt cables, cleaned all the grounds and the terminal on the starter solenoid, and put in 2 new batteries, all the starting issues I had with the boat in the first year are now in the past

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Another starting/ solenoid question (OMC)

thanks guys.<br /><br />I'm pretty sure I cleaned one of the main engine grounding wires/ studs. Sounds from Lou like there's another one I missed. Will clean that as well as the plate the slave is mounted to. Hopefully I can get to it today, might be tomorrow. Plus I'll pick up some dielectric grease to coat connections. I sprayed them with CRC 2-26, but suspect that might not be heavy duty enough for long lasting protection. Actually, a spray would be easier & cleaner, any recommendations on that subject? <br /><br />It seems like thats gotta be it given that when I provided the slave with a 'temporary' good ground through the check light everything worked well. Will let you know how it turns out.<br /><br />Yeah Don, I wish I had either a Sealock or the original OMC manuals. The Clymers even had the section about changing the assist solenoid wrong. That was the title of the section, but the pictures & instructions actually referred to the solenoid, not the assist. Didn't cause a problem cause I knew it ws wrong & could identify it from their wiring diagrams, which seem to be correct. I just didn't know the specifics of how the assist was grounded (actually, looking back at the wiring chart I now think it does indicate that the body of the assist is grounded, I just didn't know how to interpret it).<br /><br />When money becomes less tight or if it looks like I'll be doing anything complex I'll pick up another manual. Would the Sealock be sufficient or do I need to invest in the two OMC manuals?

 

[Lou C]

Re: Another starting/ solenoid question (OMC)

Lake, there is only one ground stud if you have a single batt system, I have 2 batts, one on each side of the engine compartment, so I used both studs so I could keep the grounds short. <br />Get the OMC manual if you can order one, I think I paid about 35-40 for it, I also have the parts manual but you can get all the drawings and part #s on <br />www.dougrussell.com

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Another starting/ solenoid question (OMC)

Update:<br /><br />When I went to remove the assist solenoid to clean the plate it was mounted to, the plastic cracked cause it was so old. Replaced the assist solenoid, and now the first time I try to start I get one click. Retry & it starts second time. Turn it off and it starts right up from then on.<br /><br />I've cleaned the ground stud, plus checked the battery (it's ok). Just curious as to if anyone might have ideas as to why it's 'mostly' fixed, but still clicks that one time on first start.<br /><br />Might a loose alternater belt have anything to do with this? Checked the belt & it seems a little loose, I'll tighten it today & see if it makes a difference.

 

[Don S]

Re: Another starting/ solenoid question (OMC)

A loose belt wouldn't cause the starting problem, but it would cause a low battery which would cause a starting problem.<br /><br />

Turn it off and it starts right up from then on.<br />

Doesn't that mean you don't have a problem now????

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Another starting/ solenoid question (OMC)

Don, <br /><br />Actually I meant that it would click the first time I turned the key and then start the second time when I turned it. If I shut it off and retried after that it started immediately. <br /><br />A few hours later (or next day) it would do the same thing, click the first time I turned the key, then start the second time (and each time I shut it off and retried for that session).<br /><br />BUT, this afternoon when I tried, it started first time. Turned it off and restarted each time I tried it. <br /><br />Bottom line at this point: I think that between cleaning the connections and the new assist sol. the problem has been solved. <br /><br />I may reclean the main grounding terminal (cause it was the worst of the connections) and double check the battery, but have a pretty good feeling everything is ok at this point.<br /><br />Thanks for suggestions & help y'all.

 

[Don S]

Re: Another starting/ solenoid question (OMC)

Also check any of the wiring plugs in the start system. they may have the pins or sockets corroded that could cause the problem. You might also try bolting a ground wire to one of the mounting bolts and hooking the other end to a known good ground and see if it works. May be just a bad ground between the mount plate and the engine.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Another starting/ solenoid question (OMC)

Don,<br /><br />I'll check the wiring plugs, but like you suggest above I'm pretty sure the original problem was a bad ground between the assist mounting plate and the engine. <br /><br />Cause when I first hooked up a test light to the assist to help diagnose the problem (I think as per your suggestion in another post), I clipped the negative lead from one of the terminal posts to the main grounding bolt. Lo and behold, engine started first time & everytime. I suspect cause the neg test light lead was also serving as a good ground to the assist. Unfortunately, the assist was so old the plastic pretty much disintegrated around all of the mounting bolts when I took it off to clean the mounting plate, so I had to buy a new one. <br /><br />But I certainly can't complain about needing a new $15 assist to help solve the problem, wish all of 'em worked out so cheaply!