could my starter solenoid by my problem

paul.tassie

Cadet
Joined
Oct 18, 2009
Messages
20
hi im just wondering if my starter solenoid could be my problem.
i only ask this as some times the starter motor doesn't engage and just makes a clicking sound.
i also ask if it could be my problem as why my motor will hardly fire
can get it turn over, got plenty off fuel and spark. done the timing but if it does happen to fire it just dies again.
if this solenoid is playing up is it possable to be giving me problems with getting the motor the run.
i only ask this as its where the main power connects to for the motor's power.
 

oldrudedude

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 3, 2008
Messages
480
Re: could my starter solenoid by my problem

Before you do anything else, remove all the connection between the battery and the starter, polish them up, and put it all back together. Now do the same thing with the ground cable.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: could my starter solenoid by my problem

90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one.

also have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, free, i've had new batteries go bad
 

paul.tassie

Cadet
Joined
Oct 18, 2009
Messages
20
Re: could my starter solenoid by my problem

hi there. well the spare lenth of wire i have is in a pile on the floor. i say this cause it all got wet. i nearysunk it 2 wks ago. hasnt wanted to run good since.
i'll go through and check all my wiring in the morning and see how it looks.
hopefully it will work by cleaning it all.
by by-passing the starter solenoid i can get it to turn over so i know the starter motor's ok.
how would i trouble shoot the solenoid ?
ive also got 2 brand new batterys. both cant be buggerd.
this is just the start of my issue's
my boats stopped running.
is there any thing inside my controls box that can play up. is it worth taking apart and having a look ?
just trying to elimenate the problem.cheers all for you help.

oldrudedude wat do you mean by ground wire.
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: could my starter solenoid by my problem

how would i trouble shoot the solenoid ?
.

You check it with a voltmeter (multimeter) by doing a voltage drop test. Connect the meter leads to the big posts on the solenoid, negative lead to the post with the starter cable. It should read battery voltage. Now activate the solenoid with the key switch. Voltage should drop to very low, in an ideal world to zero. That is the voltage drop across the solenoid. Low is good, high is bad.

Do it several times, because you indicate the problem is intermittant.
 

Elbo

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 12, 2009
Messages
136
Re: could my starter solenoid by my problem

Redneck way to do it.Hook ur battery cables to your battery.Gnd the black to the power head, anywhere as long as it is gnd. Put a wire on the hot cable small enough to touch the hot side of the solenoid.Starter should engage.A solenoid is just a simple electro magnet that connects hot to hot. If the case is grounded the stater will engage
 

paul.tassie

Cadet
Joined
Oct 18, 2009
Messages
20
Re: could my starter solenoid by my problem

hello all. thanks heaps for your advice. i went and brought new battery termanel's. i also pulled apart the starter soenoid and cleaned it back up.
hay presto the key starts working every time now.
now i going to do the timing and see if i can get it to run. fingers crossed. thank you heaps for all your help and idea's. it cheaper to have a go your self and learn a thing or two your self
 
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