selenoid vs. ignition question how to test

[alandchris]

motor won't start (silent)

All hooked up - starter does not engage with the ignition key.

With the addition of using jumper cables from the battery neg to ground on the motor and the pos to the battery side of the selenoid - the ignition key starts the motor

Can I assume that selenoid is good and that I have some wiring problem in either the boat harness or the engine harness ?

This test was done on the previous owners boat.

below is on my boat
Still won't start. All hooked up.

Would I have an ignition problem - and How do I test for ignition - I put a tester on the ignitions "B"attery lug and the other side of the tester on one of the grounding lugs - no juice - is this the correct test ?

 

[Randy169]

Re: selenoid vs. ignition question how to test

Putting the - on the meter to GND, and the + on the meter to BAT on the switch should yield 12v.
If not, then I would say there is a fault in the + from the fuse block (check fuses?) or elsewhere in the wiring.

There is no 12v at the switch.

 

[hkeiner]

Re: selenoid vs. ignition question how to test

The below linked thread contains a starter troubleshooting guide at the end of the thread. You may find it helpful as it provides a systematic approach to diagnosing the likely cause.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=224094&highlight=starter

 

[JB]

Re: selenoid vs. ignition question how to test

If jumping the battery - to the engine block and battery + to the solenoid input allows you to start the engine your problem is crystal clear: Bad connection(s) from battery to engine.

Disconnect and clean all big wire connections (including at the battery itself), inspect cables for internal corrosion.

 

[MikDee]

Re: selenoid vs. ignition question how to test

I agree completely! ^^^

 

[alandchris]

Re: selenoid vs. ignition question how to test

thx Gents...

I'll go with this for tonite...

Come to think of it - the engine harness that came with the motor was attached to the motor - but it looks like someone monkeyed around with it - where the harness wire goes into the engine under the cowl, there it's all loose - and you can see into the engine around the wire - it would seem that there should be some type of rubber piece that would block out water from overspray ? Anyway - maybe someone took the harness off the motor and re-installed it wrong. Is it just a matter of pluggin in colors to matching colors ?

 

[hkeiner]

Re: selenoid vs. ignition question how to test

The attached thumbnail shows the standard Mercury wiring color codes. This might help you check your wiring.​

Good luck​

 

[alandchris]

Re: selenoid vs. ignition question how to test

Thx Guys I really appreciate the advice and help.

Tonite I took off all the harness wiring - one at a time and cleaned up all the connections.

THen I did that OHM meter test where I set the meter to RX1 - then connected the OHM meter leads from the NEG(-) battery post to the common power head ground. There was NO continuity. According to this test I think I should change out the engine wiring harness. Do you agree ? I also suspect the wiring harness because the guy I bought this motor from had the harness connected to the boat's harness and used his ignition to start it. The harness also has one of the female slots ( 1 of 8 ) missing.

Then with the key off, I jumped the battery neg(-) side to the common ground on the power head, and the pos(+) side to the battery side of the starter solenoid and the motor turned over - the funny thing is that I did not have the key on - this makes me think the ignition switch is bad ? Do you agree ?

I guess I'll get a wiring harness and ignition switch and start over.