Did I fry my wire?

[Xandre]

I was having a hard time starting my motor over the weekend and when I turned the key it was turning over but not starting. I was holding the key long, maybe 5+ seconds, trying to get her running as it felt like it would start but never did.

Now when I turn the key I get NOTHING! I can hear a click if I press the choke but that's it. The battery is fine. Lights are working.

Besides a bit of a dirty carb the motor is fine as well. I can pull start without an issue.

So I am worried I may have melted or ruined the wire from the key to the motor when I held it down too long. Does this seem accurate?

I looked at the wires behind the starter/key on the dash and can't really tell from inspecting visually if anything is wrong.

The motor is a 1966 Johnson Supersea Horse 33 HP on a 14 Aerocraft Fiberglass runabout.

Any ideas?

Thanks!!
-Alex

 

[Splat]

Re: Did I fry my wire?

Pull your battery connections and clean them up. Also pull the connections on the solonoid and clean them up.

If its not a bad connection. The two things that come to mind are either you burnt up the starter, or the solonoid. You can smell the solonoid and see if you can smell burnt electronics but I would start simple by cleaning the connections, and making sure they are tight when you put them back.

bill

 

[dj shriver]

Re: Did I fry my wire?

Sounds to be the solenoid, you stated that the lights and all are bright and like normal? The problem lies at the starter or solenoid. If there is a single small wire running to the solenoid you can test that terminal for 12v. If you have 12v with the key in start position everything to that point is functioning properlly. Hope this helps out.

 

[Xandre]

Re: Did I fry my wire?

Sounds to be the solenoid, you stated that the lights and all are bright and like normal? The problem lies at the starter or solenoid. If there is a single small wire running to the solenoid you can test that terminal for 12v. If you have 12v with the key in start position everything to that point is functioning properlly. Hope this helps out.

Yes the lights all seem bright and functional to me.

Here is a thought: If it was the starter would the motor even start when U pull start it? The key must be in the ignition and turned even to pull start I assume? So if it was the starter I wouldn't be able to pull start.....I'm not 100% on how this works.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Xandre]

Re: Did I fry my wire?

Pull your battery connections and clean them up. Also pull the connections on the solonoid and clean them up.

If its not a bad connection. The two things that come to mind are either you burnt up the starter, or the solonoid. You can smell the solonoid and see if you can smell burnt electronics but I would start simple by cleaning the connections, and making sure they are tight when you put them back.

bill

The solenoid is in the fuse box, correct?

If the battery is disconnected is it safe to work on the electrical system?

There aren't any components which hold a charge I should be aware of are there?

Heading down to the boat after work to do some sniffing and cleaning!

 

[PS94]

Re: Did I fry my wire?

if it was the starter you could still pull start it. all you're changing when you're starting with the starter as opposed to the key, is using electrical energy instead of your arm's energy to turn the motor....

Pretty certain there's no capacitors in your system, and 12v isn't really enough to harm you, unless you're holding the spark plug wire while pulling the engine over...