Starter/solenoid help

[eomaha.com]

My solenoid makes a single click when I attempt to start.<br /><br />I attached a voltmeter (neg to battery... pos to lead going to starter)... when the starter is NOT attached... I see 12 volts... when it is... it drops to 2 or so (I get the same reading when I attach neg lead of voltmeter to starter housing).<br /><br />Does this suggest that I have a bad starter? (I attached a new battery... seems to have plenty of cranking power)<br /><br />Or any other ideas are greatly appreciated!<br /><br />I have a Mercruiser 3 liter 4.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Jeff Huston

 

[rattana]

Re: Starter/solenoid help

Jim, if your battery voltage is getting pulled down to 2 volts I would first off make sure the battery is completely charged up. The standing voltage should be at least 12.2-12.4 volts any less and the battery is suspect. Secondly, when you check the voltage when trying the starter make sure you are taking the reading on the post of the battery and not the wire connector, or starter. If the battery voltage is good while trying the starter, then it is your connections between the battery, the solenoid and the starter. Keep testing the voltage at all the points on the starter circuit until you find the voltage drop. These have to be clean or it will cause a voltage drop due to high resistance. Batteries can typically see a voltage drop of 3 volts +/- 1 volt when using the starter. All that said, if the battery is strong and all the connections are clean, then your starter needs to be checked out.

 

[eomaha.com]

Re: Starter/solenoid help

Connections between the starter and solenoid look good (battery is new... drive unit lowers/raises with no problem).<br /><br />Does it mean anything... that the voltage read on the positive terminal from the solenoid (which connects to the starter)... is showing 12 volts when the starter is not connected... and 2 when it is??<br /><br />pardon my lack of knowledge here... but is the negative for the starter coming from merely being connected to the metal bracket, attached to the engine block? If that is where the 2 volts is coming from... would that then suggest that the internal connection for the negative lead in the starter is poor?<br /><br />Thanks for your help,<br />Jeff

 

[eomaha.com]

Re: Starter/solenoid help

I should mention... I got real paranoid when I started reading all this stuff about the engine being frozen up on other threads (this is my first time to iboats.com! )... however, I WAS able to turn the engine with some effort by attaching a small socket to one of the bolts on the front crank wheel (not sure what correct term is)... and propeller was turning as well when in gear... assume this is a good sign.

 

[rattana]

Re: Starter/solenoid help

What do you mean when you say the starter is connected? Are you trying to start the boat, or the wiring is connected?

 

[eomaha.com]

Re: Starter/solenoid help

There's a positive lead which runs from the solenoid to the starter (I believe this is the arrangement on most solenoid/starter combos).<br /><br />When this lead is disconnected... I am reading 12 volts going through the solenoid.<br /><br />When the starter lead is -connected- ... is when I'm reading ~2 volts.<br /><br />Hey! I know... I'll go take a picture! Be right back.

 

[eomaha.com]

Re: Starter/solenoid help

Here's a picture...<br /><br />

 

[rattana]

Re: Starter/solenoid help

Ok, it sounds like the soleniod needs replacing. What you can do is short out the solenoid to see if the starter turns the boat over. You can temporarily bypass the solenoid by shorting the starter lead directly to the battery lead. There could be sparks if you do it so make sure there are no vapors present. If the starer turns, then it is the solenoid.

 

[eomaha.com]

Re: Starter/solenoid help

I thought I tried this once... but maybe I did this incorrectly (hate to fry anything).<br /><br />So... I should attach a lead (say a jumper cable)... from the positive post on the battery to the starter lead? (with or without the starter lead attached to the solenoid?)<br /><br />Thanks for your help,<br />Jeff

 

[rattana]

Re: Starter/solenoid help

Yes that will work fine, connect the jumper to the starter lead on the solenoid first, then connect to the +12 battery post. If the starter turns, then it is the solenoid.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starter/solenoid help

Just take the starter lead shown in the picture,+ Touch it to the Battery wire that's about an inch + a half below it......<br /><br />For the Neg- side of the equation, Clean where the other Battery wire connects to the engine block.....<br /><br />If the solenoid IS Bad.... Change-out the Whole Starter... They come as 1 unit.....