****le starter motor

[supermanotorious]

Hey guys! I think this is a common problem, I turn the key- nothing happens. I jump the starter terminal with a screw driver and she fires up. It's happened in a couple of friend's boats and a couple times to mine, including today. What is going on? Is it a solenoid? is it a relay?

EDIT: the site masked the word defined by- changing frequently, especially as regards one's loyalties, interests, or affection

the word rhymes with "tickle"

 

[Joe-405]

It's probably the switch or wiring. If it starts by jumping it then the solenoid is working cause it started. It won't start if the solenoid is bad.


If I can't find it I always just wire in a bump button. Some of the wiring can be a pain to track down if it's hidden really good.

You can take a test light and put it on the terminal behind the switch and see if it lights up in the start position also. If it works take a long piece of wire and run it to the solenoid from that spot that lit up and if that works it's the wiring somewhere.

 

[supermanotorious]

Thanks Joe, I will try that out. I see you're out of Norman, betcha didnt know I was born in Lawton

 

[itsid]

EDIT: the site masked the word defined by- changing frequently, especially as regards one's loyalties, interests, or affection

the word rhymes with "tickle"

Oh that's "my" fault I'm afraid...

the masked 'part'.. if you swap vowels you can render that colloquial german word into a lackadaisical english word of the same meaning...

so it's masked in many V-Bulletin forums by default.


Anyways... BTT..

very likely the solenoid...

remember that "starter tapping with a mallet thing" ?
That's the solenoid...

I don't know if you're in ears reach of the starter when turning the key.. but listen for the destinctive clack of the solenoid... let someone else turn the key when in doubt.

'sid

 

[supermanotorious]

But then again Joe, I thought a solenoid is basically a relay for supplying power to the starter. I'm pretty sure an engine will still run with a bad solenoid since the screwdriver bridges the connection and you don't run the starter while the engine is running.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Solenoid-Problems-Diagnosing-Electrical-Problems-Properly

 

[Badot]

But then again Joe, I thought a solenoid is basically a relay for supplying power to the starter. I'm pretty sure an engine will still run with a bad solenoid since the screwdriver bridges the connection

This is correct. To test the solenoid run a jumper from positive on your battery to the signal input on the solenoid. If it works, it's good (and your switch/wiring/whatever is bad). Otherwise, it's likely the solenoid (or ground to the solenoid) is bad.