1995 115hp Starting problem - ignition switch?

[INHUNTER]

I have a 1995 115hp Mercury outboard (4 cyl) that is having erratic starting issues. I've replaced the starter solenoid with no luck. The problem is very difficult to pinpoint as the motor will start multiple times appearing to be fixed, & then out of the blue it doesn't work again.

When it starts, there is no grinding, odd sounds etc, works great. When it doesn't start there is no sound whatsoever, but my lights on the dash light up when i turn the key on.

I finally got it to stay dead this evening & the two small screws on the solenoid had no power to them. I traced the yellow wire with red stripe back to the throttle & then to the ignition switch. I noticed that when i hit the key, the warning alarm did not sound. When I pushed in the choke, the alarm sounded & it started right up. Its working everytime i hit the key now, but will surely die again in a day or two.

This is about the 3rd time that when not working all I had to do to get it to start was push in on the choke.

Could the ignition switch be corroded on the inside & pushing the choke in breaks that corrosion up enough for it to get contact? Am I shooting at the wrong area? It appears to be somewhere between the ignition & the solenoid. I tried the old two screwdriver trick on the solenoid & it started fine.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[diaric]

Re: 1995 115hp Starting problem - ignition switch?

so far, it sound about right. you have the push key in to choke switch? you could try spraying some electrical contact/brake clean in key slot and see if it improves. if not, try replacing, their not to expensive, but a pain as wires are so congested and short

 

[INHUNTER]

Re: 1995 115hp Starting problem - ignition switch?

Thank you for the reply. Yes it is the push to choke kind. I'm hoping that it wasn't just coincidence, but I'm down to the ignition switch, the neutral saftey switch or the wiring between the ignition & the cellenoid.

 

[diaric]

Re: 1995 115hp Starting problem - ignition switch?

give the slot a shot of cleaner, then maybe some lube to penatrate corrosion, if still keeps doing it, pull the controller apart to inspect. my neutral safety is touchy sometimes. no start , then i move it a hair and it works

 

[INHUNTER]

Re: 1995 115hp Starting problem - ignition switch?

I called a local marine parts store & the ignition switch is supposedly around $20. I'm just gonna buy one & replace it, as it seems fairly cheap & easy to replace (other than keeping track of wiring). Digital camera, masking tape & a pen should help that.

I tried to move the throttle on the control around yesterday & it didn't help to get it to start, so hopefully it is the ignition switch & not the neutral switch. The ignition switch is easy to get to. It appears from my manual that in order to get to the neutral switch I'll have to take the whole assembly apart for the control.

I'll try to post an update after I replace the ignition switch. (thread doesn't show up in my subscriptions for some reason)

Thanks again.

 

[INHUNTER]

Re: 1995 115hp Starting problem - ignition switch?

I got the ignition switch replaced tonight thanks to some help from other folks in another forum. Hopefully it is the cause of my problems. Only time will tell. I'll post an update again once I've ran it a while.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[INHUNTER]

Re: 1995 115hp Starting problem - ignition switch?

I replaced the ignition switch & the problem appeared to be fixed until tonight. I hit the key 3-4 times & the alarm did NOT sound & the it didn't try to turn over. I pushed in the choke, let it pop out & then turned the key & all is working again every turn of the key.

What could this possibly be, that when the problem occurs, all I have to do to get it to work is push in on the choke & let out before it will turn over?