Dead ignition circuit. Replaced everything. Totally stumped.....

[btravlin2]

I've got an inboard 318 in an old Penn Yan. It's been running like a top. Went out yesterday, shut it down for a few mins, and then nothing on start-up, not even a click at the solenoid. But I can jump the starter, so it's not that.

This morning I replaced the ignition switch, solenoid, and coil. The battery is new and fully charged, and even with the jump assist from my charger.....nothing.

I've loosened and cleaned every connection and ground I can find. Checked all the fuses and cleaned all connections in the fuse panel.

Any suggestions on where to troubleshoot next?

What voltage should I see on the two small posts on the solenoid when keyed? Right now I have zero on each.

Thanks......

 

[KX6D]

Re: Dead ignition circuit. Replaced everything. Totally stumped.....

Is it turning over and just not firing?

If this is the case, TEMPORARILY run a wire from the + terminal on the battery to the + terminal on the coil and try to start. If you have points in the distributor, remove the cap and see if the points are opening and closing.

If it is not cranking:
Turn the key to ON and jump the starter.

Do you have power to your guages and accesories?

Its difficult to diagnose without complete information.

 

[btravlin2]

Re: Dead ignition circuit. Replaced everything. Totally stumped.....

I now know I have full voltage from the ignition to a tab on the Velvet Drive transmission. There is a return wire coming from a tab next to the incoming one. This wire goes to the solenoid, and it has no voltage. So I have keyed ignition voltage going into something on the top of the trans. I have voltage going in, but none coming out.

Overfill sensor? I'm new to Velvet Drives. There is clearly a voltage transfer that has to take place on the trans to get juice to the solenoid.

Coincidentally, I just changed the trans fluid shortly before I went out on the bay yesterday. Maybe I overfilled (brought it up to the fill mark!?) and this is some kind of auto-shutdown?

Any Velvet Drive experts out there? I can't find anything by googling.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Dead ignition circuit. Replaced everything. Totally stumped.....

sound like netrual switch to make sure you dont start in gear

do a search on the netrual switch it looks like its threaded in with 2 screw terminals

 

[btravlin2]

Re: Dead ignition circuit. Replaced everything. Totally stumped.....

Yep, it was the neutral switch. After working the throttle a bit it fired right up. Live and learn......