iginition key issue

[QuietRider21]

i have a '93 150 omc vro and today i charged my battery up and turned the engine over for a few seconds then backed off turning the key in the off position. the motor kept on turning over even in the off position forcing me to pull a battery cable to stop it. i attempted this several times and the same thing happened. do i have a bad switch?
i was also wondering if i could relocate my battery closer to the motor. its mounted in a compartment under the helm with 6' cables(neg/pos) running back towards the motor. my battery seems to drain very quickly so i was going to mount it under the rear seat and get shorter battery cables. any reason i shouldnt do it? i'm confused why the boat manufacturer would run such long cables to begin with. doesnt seem very efficient for the battery?!?
thanks in advance!

 

[NYBo]

Re: iginition key issue

Is the boat new to you? Did the ignition switch function correctly in the past? It's possible the switch is wired incorrectly. The ignition circuitry for an outboard is different from that for an I/O or inboard.

Having the battery forward helps keep weight out of the stern, which is a problem in some boats. If the cables are the proper gauge, you should just leave the setup as is, IMO. Its location shouldn't have anything to do with it draining quickly if the wiring is correct. Clean all the connections and have the battery load tested. A voltmeter will let you see if the charging system is working.

 

[QuietRider21]

Re: iginition key issue

the boat is new to me(2months) however its worked fine up until today. i went to crank her over and just kept on turning..any ideas what would cause it? i mean can the ignition just go bad like that?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: iginition key issue

Probably not your ignition switch but your starter solenoid getting stuck or the starter pinion gear doesn't slide well. Has the starter been submerged at all?

To make sure it wasn't the key switch, you could just try engaging the starter with a jumper wire to the solenoid.

If it were me, I would probably pull the starter to see what condition it is in.

 

[QuietRider21]

Re: iginition key issue

Bruce, the starter hasnt been submerged as far as i know. how would i go about jumping the solenoid? i dont have much knowledge when it comes to electrical. i'll check it out tomorrow.. is a solenoid a part that can be replaced or would that entail the whole starter replacement? thanks!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: iginition key issue

You have an outboard(which I just realized). The solenoid would sit on top of the starter if it has one. Since it is an outboard you may or may not have that configuration. If you can take the cowl off and take a picture and post it and/or get a manual would be your next best bet.

As far as the key switch being the issue, You can take the wire off the switch that goes to the starter and jumper that, thereby bypassing the ignition switch as a test.

If you connect the battery back up, does the starter motor continue running?

 

[QuietRider21]

Re: iginition key issue

yes, as soon as i touch the cable to the battery terminal, the starter engages. that was the only way i was able to stop the engine from turning over(disconecting battery).. the weird thing is, is that its worked fine until today. it started acting up out of nowhere

 

[NYBo]

Re: iginition key issue

Okay, I misread the original post. I thought the motor, not the starter, kept running with the key in the "off" position.:redface:

Possibly the switch, but more likely the starter solenoid or relay, like Bruce said.

 

[QuietRider21]

Re: iginition key issue

yea my fault, i should have been a little clearer in my post. can the wrong battery/too many cranking amps damage the starter/solenoid? i'm gonna check it out tomorrow
appreciate the help guys

 

[Silvertip]

Re: iginition key issue

Whoa! No! You can have 15 batteries in your boat and that would not be too much for the starter. The starter draws only what it needs. This is classic stuck starter solenoid. Tap it with a hammer or the butt end of a heavy screwdriver. Then touch the battery cable. If the starter doesn't engage immediately, you've proven the solenoid is the issue. While the love tap is not a guarantee to free the solenoid, it is the simplest and quickest test. The next test is to simply disconnect the small wire from the solenoid. That wire is from the igntion switch. Now touch the battery cable. If the starter doesn't spin that does prove the ignition switch is bad.

 

[QuietRider21]

Re: iginition key issue

so i tapped the side of the starter with a screw driver handle and sure enough is stopped.. whats next? i need to pull the starter? can i try lubricating the the starter gear or shaft?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: iginition key issue

so i tapped the side of the starter with a screw driver handle and sure enough is stopped.. whats next? i need to pull the starter? can i try lubricating the the starter gear or shaft?

Yes, lubrication may solve your problem.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: iginition key issue

I said tap the STARTER SOLENOID not the starter itself. But whatever you tapped did release the SOLENOID. The starter itself cannot remain energized if the solenoid is not energized so NO -- starter replacement is not required but SOLENOID replacement IS required.

 

[bgeoffcrawdad]

Re: iginition key issue

I had the same issue today, when you tapped the starter you moved the positive cable away from the prongs on the solenoid. Look at you wiring if it is too close to those PRONGS flip them. I am sure this is the problem. Now I have to figure out why the ignition is not working in my boat. I can tap the positive to the prong and it will turn over when I move them away from the prong and try and use the key...nothing. all dash items work...bilge blower etc. just not the ignition. could it be this inline fuse or could it be the 12 volt 40 amp thing a ma bob. I dont know...I have a bayliner capri 1988 i/o volvo penta 4 cyle.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: iginition key issue

I had the same issue today, when you tapped the starter you moved the positive cable away from the prongs on the solenoid. Look at you wiring if it is too close to those PRONGS flip them. I am sure this is the problem. Now I have to figure out why the ignition is not working in my boat. I can tap the positive to the prong and it will turn over when I move them away from the prong and try and use the key...nothing. all dash items work...bilge blower etc. just not the ignition. could it be this inline fuse or could it be the 12 volt 40 amp thing a ma bob. I dont know...I have a bayliner capri 1988 i/o volvo penta 4 cyle.

And why is it you jumped on someone elses thread??? By doing so you make everyone shift gears to try and keep things straight. Never hijack someones thread. Start your own.