starter solenoid

[furbis]

40 hp Johnson, starter solenoid will not work all the time, brand new solenoid will work one time and not the next, no clicking, I have voltage to the wire from the key and voltage to the other small terminal, and of course there is voltage at the positive battery cable on the solenoid but no voltage to the starter side of the solenoid. could I be getting low voltage from the key switch wire and therefore not enough voltage to kick the starter over? is the solenoid just an electricaly operated switch?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: starter solenoid

Sounds like you have a voltage drop. If the battery is good and fully charged, remove and clean all wiring and cables associated with the electric staring circuit, clean all terminal ends thoroughly along with whatever component they attach to, then tighten securely with a wrench or pliers.... not your fingers if using wing nuts anywhere.

This includes the battery terminals, ground terminal at the powerhead, cables at the solenoid and starter, etc. A loose cable, or even a tight but dirty cable terminal will cause the starter circucit to act exactly as you describe.

 

[F_R]

Re: starter solenoid

40 hp Johnson, starter solenoid will not work all the time, brand new solenoid will work one time and not the next, no clicking, I have voltage to the wire from the key and voltage to the other small terminal, and of course there is voltage at the positive battery cable on the solenoid but no voltage to the starter side of the solenoid. could I be getting low voltage from the key switch wire and therefore not enough voltage to kick the starter over? is the solenoid just an electricaly operated switch?

So, if I read this correctly, you have voltage at BOTH small terminals on the solenoid when it won't work? That's a piece of cake.
1. Your throttle is set too high--OR
2. Your safety switch is shot or out of adjustment OR
3. Your safety switch is not connected to the solenoid terminal (broken wire)

The safety switch grounds one small solenoid terminal to allow the motor to start at the correct throttle setting. If the terminal is grounded, there won't be any voltage there--just on the one connected to the key switch.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: starter solenoid

40 hp Johnson, WHAT ONE, there are many. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=250879