Test starter soleniod?

[gdean7]

How would you go about testing a starter soleniod to make sure it did or did not work? I turn the key and get nothing, however, I do get power in the positive(which I should) but nothing out of the negative when I turn the key... I'm not sure if this means the soleniod is dead...I was also told I blew a fuse, but I can't find any fuses on the boat at all. I have a Force 125 from 1985. <br /><br /> Not sure what I cna do, but something is wrong because when I connect the two battery cables with a screw driver that are on the starter soleniod, and get the boat started, for some reason, there is smoking inside of the tach... weird as it may seem.... It doesn't bother me, but i'd like to have the boat started by the key as it used to... <br /><br /> This all happened after I jumped the boat with my Ranger.... The boat was dead, and turning, but not very well, so I thought i'd jump it with my truck. The first time I tried, the boat woouldn't do anything. <br /><br /> Any suggestions??<br /><br />Thanks - Garrett

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Test starter soleniod?

Connect a volt meter one lead on the small lead of the solinoid (probably a yellow or yellow/black wire) and the other lead to ground. With key in start position you should read between 8 to 12 volts. Now take the volt meter and connect each lead to the big wires on the solinoid. With key in run position you should read 12 volts and with key on start position you should read zero volts.<br /><br />Make sure you have the shifter in neutral. If you dont see 12 volts on small wire to solinoid check neutral interlock switch to verify it is working.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Test starter soleniod?

euro, I think you may have misspoke yourself, didn't you mean 12 volt in the start position on the starter lug

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Test starter soleniod?

When the key is in the start position the two big lugs on the solinoid short out which will mean zero volts between the two. Similar if you ohm test a broken wire you have infinate ohms. If you tie the wires together you have a short.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Test starter soleniod?

what euro says. if the voltage drop across the 2 big terminals is over .4 v the soiliniod disc is bad. also check the solinoid ground, this can be done by placing one meter lead wire on the start terminal and the other on the block should read continuity as your checking the wire coils.<br /> easy way is to use a juper lead and with all hands hair and clothes clear jump the start terminal to a 12v source, usually the batt term on the solinoid. if the batt term has 12 v and the ground is ok the solinoid should work.<br /> to test batt cables is the same. one lead on the batt term to be tested and the other at the next termination point of that cable. when cranking it should always show less than about .7 V and no more than 1v from terminal to stater terminal or terminal- to engine block. if it does start hunting cable problems. its the same as testing a resistor voltage drop.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Test starter soleniod?

Good imfo, guess I never quit learning that a good way to ck for bad wiring--Bob

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Test starter soleniod?

if I can figgue out how to post it I have the diagram for voltage drop testing scanned someplace

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: Test starter soleniod?

i took mine out and tested it on a car battery. if it clicks its good. i jsut went and got a new one at autozone for 5 bucks