Starter Will not disengage

[Reel Daze]

I have a 1988 3.7L 4cl Mercruiser I/o that I have rebuilt and everything was fine she fired right up but the starter will not disengage. My first thought was Neutral Safety Switch, Nope Then I thought Maybe just a bad starter Nope same problem with new starter, I tried shimming the starter but still had the same results. It almost feels like the ignition switch is not kicking back to the run position after start up could this possible be the problem? That is my educated gues but I wanted to get some more opinions on the matter prior to replacing and rewiring the ignition switch. Thanks for any and all thoughts and comments

 

[boatingfool]

Re: Starter Will not disengage

Pull the coil wire off so she wont start. Then turn the key . After it starts turning over let go of the key and see if it continues. If it does play with the key a little to see if you can get it to stop.

 

[Reel Daze]

Re: Starter Will not disengage

Boating Thanks for the reply. I tried as you stated and had the same results. The starter stayed engaged but I noticed the switch was not (springing Back) Also I think I may have a wire crossed from the switch as I purchased the boat after someone had already been tinkering around and playing with everything. It looks like they have a wire from the coil to the switch which would cause a constant power supply to the switch I am not sure if that is right or not I guess I will have to find that out...........

 

[boatingfool]

Re: Starter Will not disengage

I am not a wiring guru at all. I have no advice I can offer here other than dont ask me. <br /><br />Hopefully someone here who is familiar with your set up can give some info on how the switch should be wired. A local mechanic should be able to tell you what wires go where on the ign switch.<br /><br />Good luck and keep us posted if you can.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Starter Will not disengage

Yup.. If the switch is'nt spring'n back, definately look to the switch first.. Hope you have a meter or a test light...<br /><br />1st.. Key off position, meter/check each wire on the switch.. only one wire should be hot which would be the lead from the battery, which is always hot... Mark and disconnect the other leads from the switch so you can put them back in the correct place, leaving only the lead that is hot with the key off still connected to the switch...<br /><br />2nd.. Key switch in ignition position (but not to start), only two terminals should be hot.. <br /><br />3rd.. Key in the start position, all three terminals should be hot.. If all the terminals remain hot when you let the key spring back, then you know the switch is bad..

 

[outboardguy]

Re: Starter Will not disengage

Red(hot) wire goes to post marked B,purple wire goes to post marked I,and yellow/red tracer goes to post marked S.If it does not spring back get a new one.

 

[Reel Daze]

Re: Starter Will not disengage

Thanks for all the replies. Sorry for the delay in getting back to everyone. Well I replaced the switch and still had the same problem so I decided to run new wirring for the switch and while in the process I discovered the culprit. There was never a wire running from the switch to the selenoid corrected that and problem was resolved. Took her out for a shake down run last weekend and everything ran perfect. Except I have to make a few minor adjustments to the carb and I bekieve the timming may be advanced just a hair. Thanks again for all the replies and I wish you all a great year of boating