Are these slave solenoids interchangeable?

[billy6fitzgerald]

I have an electrical question for those of you that like that kind of stuff.

Boat having intermittent starting issues lately. Some days it starts, some days all I get is a clicking. Now I only get clicking. Initially thought the clicking was down low at the 4 month old starter so after reading posts on here, I have replaced the battery cables completely, tried jumpstarting from my Dodge diesel, light tested the posts, etc. Finally had someone else turn the key while I had my head down in the engine compartment and found that the clicking is coming from the solenoids in the attached photo. These are up on top of the engine. I'm pretty sure one is for the trim and the other is for starting. Can I swap places with these things since I rarely use the trim? Use the good one for starting and the bad one for the trim? Or do they automatically cancel out each other since the are connected to each other?

Also, in the second picture, the little blue wire that makes a loop gets really hot when the key is in the on position. It goes down to the coil.

 

[Don S]

Re: Are these slave solenoids interchangeable?

Not really. They may look similar, but the internals can be different. Best to get the OEM part number, then convert that to the proper aftermarket number. Looking at the wiring colors, those appear to be OMC trim/tilt solenoids.
You can look up the OEM part numbers here.
http://epc.brp.com/SiteMods/BRP_Pub...efault.aspx?brands=ej&lang=E&brands=ej&lang=E

 

[billy6fitzgerald]

How do I find which of these solenoids is the problem?

How do I find which of these solenoids is the problem?

Thinking I had narrowed down my starting problem down to two solenoids, I moved a big bundle of wires out of the way and I now count 5 of these solenoids. Holy cow! I have stuck the test light on each one of them while the key is in the on position and also while someone is trying to crank it. All of them have three posts - two big ones and one small one. One of the big posts is hot on all five of them, even without trying to crank it. On the four solenoids that are back to back, I can't get the test light to come on at all on either of their two remaining posts whether the key is in the "on" position or in the cranking position. On the fifth solenoid, the other large post will light up with the key in the cranking position and the small post will also light up with the key in the cranking position. That fifth solenoid is the one making the "click" sound when the key is in the cranking mode. All of the others are silent. Is there a way to figure out which one is bad or if they are even the problem? I included photos of them.

 

[billy6fitzgerald]

Re: How do I find which of these solenoids is the problem?

Re: How do I find which of these solenoids is the problem?

Since I found that I have 5 solenoids instead of only two, I have reposted this as a different issue. I can't just swap them to figure out which is bad, need to figure it out another way.

 

[Nivekt]

Re: How do I find which of these solenoids is the problem?

Re: How do I find which of these solenoids is the problem?

Year and model engine/drive please.

 

[billy6fitzgerald]

Re: How do I find which of these solenoids is the problem?

Re: How do I find which of these solenoids is the problem?

It's an 83 OMC 3.8L V6 800 stringer model number is 382stmrctr

Not certain about the "800" on the stringer

 

[Nivekt]

Re: How do I find which of these solenoids is the problem?

Re: How do I find which of these solenoids is the problem?

The exploded parts diagram for your setup gives me this photo with only one solenoid part number(0982187):

Go to shop.evinrude.com Then click on parts, then from the drop down select "stern drive" then select further using year, engine size and the specific model number you provided. This will get you to the photo I posted and descriptions of each item in that photo. Search the OMC part number in google that I provided and you will find the parts that you are looking for. This is as far as I can help you. Good luck!

*Edit* I also suggest you get the original service manual(s) for your setup. This will save you much time and money: http://www.outboardbooks.com/index.cfm/manual/382STMRCTR/

 

[billy6fitzgerald]

Re: How do I find which of these solenoids is the problem?

Re: How do I find which of these solenoids is the problem?

Thanks Nivekt for the diagram. Actually, I have the manual as well as the part number I need if it was a solenoid. My problem has changed directions now and I have reposted not knowing if the solenoids I have found are the issue. There are 5 of them plus the one on the starter. I get very little sparking when using a screwdriver across the posts of the starter solenoid or the slave solenoid. New battery cables, clean posts, tight screws, good battery power even added jumpers from my truck. Guy at the parts place said it sounds like the ground is lacking with such tiny sparking. I've cleaned and tightened that again. I took a jumper cable directly from the battery to the starter solenoid post that goes into the starter, very little sparks. Accidentally touched the starter housing with that cable and got major sparks and pop so it seems like the ground is good.