1994 5L EFI Volvo penta

[Boaterdan278michigan]

Today I wanted to perform a compression check on my Ford 5L EFI engines. I pulled all the spark plugs. When I used the key to turn the engines over I got a lot of gas fumes from fuel being injected into the cylinders. To avoid this, I used a push button remote switch with alligator clips to jump across the front solenoid. Seemed perfect solution as my key switch was off and so the fuel pumps weren't activated. I tested three cylinders and then the switch quit working. Strange enough, now the key nor the push button won't turn them over either. Great battery voltage. I looked for a blown breaker or fuse but cannot find anything obvious. Any ideas what I may have done?

 

[tpenfield]

Wow . . . is this a current boat or a new-2-you boat? It seems like we may have missed a few beats.

 

[Boaterdan278michigan]

In
I'm

Wow . . . is this a current boat or a new-2-you boat? It seems like we may have missed a few beats.

I've had this boat 25 years, not new. What do you mean missed a few beats?

 

[tpenfield]

Got it . . . I thought you had bought something new and we missed it.

Perhaps the solenoid failed.

 

[Boaterdan278michigan]

Got it . . . I thought you had bought something new and we missed it.

Perhaps the solenoid failed.

Thank you for responding. I now recognize the name. You've responded to other threads I've started, which I appreciate. Simple update is, I'm still boat shopping. We've encountered some radical winter weather which postponed viewing our desired boats. In the meantime, last summer I encountered some oil consumption issues on my Four Winns Vista. I've owned this boat for twenty-five years and it has never used oil. I decided to check compression on both engines and simultaneously change spark plugs. The problem I encountered with the solenoid really throws me for a loop. I felt confident that temporarily bypassing the solenoid would work perfectly. The junk yard mechanics version of jumping the solenoid, without sparks. I think I may have tripped a relay somewhere. Finding them all is a chore, there's no resources showing their exact location.

 

[tpenfield]

I've had starter solenoids (I think they are actually referred to as slave solenoids) be working 30 minutes before launch and then at the boat ramp, it was a no-go. They seem to fail at the least convenient times.

 

[alldodge]

If your jumping the assist (slave) relay and nothing happens than it's probably the relay

If your jumping the starter solenoid mounted on the starter than most likely the starter or the battery.

Wiring is for 5.0 and 5.8. Assist wire going from Assist to starter is not shown

 

[Boaterdan278michigan]

I jumped the assist solenoid #4. I could find three relays clustered close to the assist solenoid. I tried pushing these to reset either no luck. Some have suggested disconnecting the battery completely, perhaps to allow the relay to reset, I don't know. Other input suggested a rely halfway between assist solenoid and started, perhaps near the exhaust manifold. I did not find that solenoid.

 

[alldodge]

I don't know which starter you have, but if it has more than one main Battery cable connection, than you should be able to jump from the small terminal closest to the block to Battery cable and the starter should engage

If you only have one Battery cable connection than the assist relay supplies all the power to the starter.

Post pic of starter wire connections

 

[Boaterdan278michigan]

I don't know which starter you have, but if it has more than one main Battery cable connection, than you should be able to jump from the small terminal closest to the block to Battery cable and the starter should engage

If you only have one Battery cable connection than the assist relay supplies all the power to the starter.

Post pic of starter wire connections

I'll take pics as soon as I can get back to the storage facility. It's not stored at home.

 

[Boaterdan278michigan]

1st picture shows what has been identified as the assist solenoid. It is on the front of my engine. The second pic shows my starter and the starter solenoid. It's extremely difficult to get a good picture. I don't know if this shows you what you need.

 

[alldodge]

All good, starter has a solenoid
The Assist relay sends power on the Yellow/Red wire down to the starter solenoid.

So jumping from the Red to Yel/Red on the starter solenoid will cause the motor to crank unless the starter or Battery has a problem. Can even remove the Yel/Red from starter solenoid and it should crank when jumped

 

[Boaterdan278michigan]

I pulled my start battery and had it tested. It tested good. It's just damn odd that both starters (engines) don't respond to the key switch. I cannot imagine how but it's like I destroyed both starters by jumping the solenoid. I don't know how safe it is, but I've considered wiring push button from battery positive to starter yellow. I imagine first I'll tap on each starter and starter solenoid.

 

[alldodge]

If key switch doesn't work it can be

Ignition fuse blew
Key switch went bad
Neutral safety switch is bad or throttle handle is not in neutral
Connection broke between key switch to neutral switch to Assist relay Yel/Red wire
Assist relay is bad
Battery cable has a problem/bad connection
Battery ground cable has a bad connection