Solenoid Wiring Help

[garyftworth]

i just bought my 1976 tidecraft with a 85 johnson 70 hp on her, i'm getting no fire to the ignition switch and i need a picture of the wiring to the solenoid because there is a red wire hanging loose and a red with purple wire hanging loose at the soelnoid, they are both legs off the the same colored wire but not hooked up to anything, when i do hook them together my test light shows power at the ignition switch but not without them together, but either way boat won't crank over, i'm at a loss without some help here, tried everything i know which aint much. please help!!!!!

 

[ezeke]

Re: Solenoid Wiring Help

Starter is grounded by the mounting bolts - Negative battery cable is bolted to the engine block.

Large red positve battery cable is bolted to the large post on the end of the solenoid away from the starter. Two smaller red wires also connect there. One smaller red wire runs to a twenty amp fuse holder which has the purple and red wire on the other side.

The purple and red wire runs to the large red plug on the wiring harness and then to the ignition switch 'B' post where it supplies all of the positive voltage for the control.

When you turn the key to start, Positve voltage returns through the red and yellow wire connected to 'S' on the ignition switch, to the small terminal on the side of the starter solenoid.

The second small red wire off the solenoid runs to the terminal block, post 4, where it connects with the red wire from the rectifier to supply direct current to recharge the battery when the engine is running.

 

[garyftworth]

Re: Solenoid Wiring Help

so the red wire coming off of the solenoid should hookup to the red/purple wire then, i figured that but wanted to make sure.
it still wont crank over tho with these wires connected,
do you think i may have a bad solenoid?
also, the fuse has been removed between the wires i'm guessing because they blew several fuses trying to figure this problem out, why would it be blowing fuses and not turning over?.

thanks for your help

 

[F_R]

Re: Solenoid Wiring Help

Are you getting 12 volts at the red/yellow wire at the solenoid when you turn the key? If not, the neutral start safety switch in the control could be bad. If you are getting 12 volts at the solenoid, is the other small terminal grounded? It won't actuate if it isn't. Disclaimer: This is one application where you can use an automotive solenoid. In that case, leave the second small terminal (i) unconnected.

If you have 12 volts at the red/yellow at the solenoid, and the other terminal dealt with as mentioned, and it won't click when turning the key, yes it is shot.

However, if it does click when turning the key, check for 12 volts at the starter motor when turning the key. If there is 12 volts there at the starter, and it doesn't turn over, the starter is bad.

All this has to go back to what should have been the first item on the list: Are the battery cable connections clean and tight at both ends? Don't assume, check them! Until you do, don't waste time and money trying to find something else.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Solenoid Wiring Help

Make sure that the purple and red wire is fused at the engine end.

Be sure that the emergency kill switch is open. The lanyard part can spread and close the kill switch even though it may look OK.

 

[garyftworth]

Re: Solenoid Wiring Help

well, the 2 wires that are not connected, i contacted the red wire to the soleniod and boat started right up, that was the really weird thing, but when i connect it to the red/purple wire and tried with the key, it clicks once and thats it.
not sure about how may volts at either, i'll check that tonight when i get home.

 

[garyftworth]

Re: Solenoid Wiring Help

also, yes, as soon as i get this figured out there will be a fuse put back on it, mean while it would just blow them out.

 

[garyftworth]

Re: Solenoid Wiring Help

i'll also check kill switch again, visually it looks fine but i'll take a closer look at it also.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Solenoid Wiring Help

Disconnect the large red plug on the harness and see if the starter works. You may have a bad ignition switch or the ignition switch may be wired incorrectly.

The Positive current from the battery to the solenoid should not flow through the solenoid to the starter unless you turn the key to start.

If the starter turns with the harness plug disconnected, then you probably need a new solenoid.

 

[jhebert]

Re: Solenoid Wiring Help

Here is an excellent description and diagram of OMC ignition switch wiring

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/ignitionSwitch.html

 

[garyftworth]

Re: Solenoid Wiring Help

O.K., went home last night and put a fuse link inbetween the 2 loose red and red/purple wires at the solenoid and cleaned the battery cables up real good.
stuck the key in and varrroom, she started up.
I'm thinking it may have been blowing fuses simply because the terminals were not connecting good due to corrosion, i don't know.
Anyhow, Thank you guys soo very much and if your ever in fort worth give me a yell and i'll buy the beer.
Thanks again for the very helpful advice.