Have to turn key a few times to start

[krusejs]

I have a 1999 Larson 186 SEI, 4.3l Mercruiser. Bought it last year. When I test drove it, no problems. Get it home, take it to the lake for the first time, and I had to turn the key on and off a few times before the starter engaged. Found a broken terminal on the switch, replaced the switch. Still had to turn the key a few times to start. Last fall took the starter off and had it tested. Was told the selanoid was bad. Put brand new starter on and the first time out this year, same problem. Do I need to leave the key in the "on" position for a bit before starting? Or could the battery not have enough CCA? Also, anybody know how to solve "dieseling" on these engines? Seen alot of people having problems but no real solution. Thanks.

 

[jkust]

Re: Have to turn key a few times to start

I have a 1999 Larson 186 SEI, 4.3l Mercruiser. Bought it last year. When I test drove it, no problems. Get it home, take it to the lake for the first time, and I had to turn the key on and off a few times before the starter engaged. Found a broken terminal on the switch, replaced the switch. Still had to turn the key a few times to start. Last fall took the starter off and had it tested. Was told the selanoid was bad. Put brand new starter on and the first time out this year, same problem. Do I need to leave the key in the "on" position for a bit before starting? Or could the battery not have enough CCA? Also, anybody know how to solve "dieseling" on these engines? Seen alot of people having problems but no real solution. Thanks.

I stopped the symptom of dieseling with my 4.3 by simply going to higher octane gas and always wait a minute before shutting the engine down. The problem I am certain is still there but the symptom is masked by the above. Take a look at the service bulletin for our engines regarding this issue. My engine has done this since the first day I got it which was at the 40 hour mark. I am at 83 hours now so not even at the 100 hour service point. Point being this issue popped up right away in my engine's life. To your other issue, I can't speak for your boat but my nearly new battery in one of my car's started doing something similar to what you describe. A warranty battery fixed the issue. Get the battery tested or just go buy a new one.

 

[krusejs]

Re: Have to turn key a few times to start

I've tried the higher octane fuel, adding Lucas Oil Treatment to every tank. Still does it. I will say that it only does it after pulling a skier or tuber and shutting the engine off to let them in the boat. I have replaced the plugs and distributor cap. Guess maybe my next step would be to check the timing.

Maybe I need to go through and start pulling all the wires off and cleaning them up real good to make sure they all have good contact. See if that helps with the starting problem.

 

[YeboGogo]

Re: Have to turn key a few times to start

So if you get in, turn the key all the way you get the starter clicking or not?

It almost sounds like you have a capacitor that needs to be energized before it can fire. I would check wires or run a wire from the battery to the starter and see if it fixes it. It almost sounds like a wire resistance issue.

 

[krusejs]

Re: Have to turn key a few times to start

I get in, turn the key and don't even get a click. After turning the key off and on as many as 5 or 6 times, it'll start to turn over. After it starts turning over, boat fires right up.

A guy I work with had a similar problem. Went through 2 starters before he realized it was the oil level sensor corroded.

 

[YeboGogo]

Re: Have to turn key a few times to start

I guess you have a few options. Take a meter and try see if you have voltage at the starter with the key off.

The other option would be to bypass all safeties and sensors and see if you find one that is causing it (ntral safety, OIl pressure etc..)

 

[full stringer]

Re: Have to turn key a few times to start

check the main fuse in the back on stauboard side of motor for corrosion replace fuse after cleaning inside the connector see if this solves it. good luck

 

[krusejs]

Re: Have to turn key a few times to start

Thanks for all the ideas. Hopefully I can start trying these things this week.

 

[krusejs]

Re: Have to turn key a few times to start

Ok, finally had a chance to look at my boat tonight. With the layout deck up, turning the key, I could hear a click. Had my daughter get in and hit the key while I listened and felt for the click. It was the starter solenoid. My question is, is this the same solenoid that is used as the trim solenoids? When I looked up the part # that's what came up.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Have to turn key a few times to start

Which solenoid are you referring to here, the one on the starter or the assist solenoid that feeds the solenoid on the starter?

 

[krusejs]

Re: Have to turn key a few times to start

Sorry, didn't make that clearer. It'd be the assist solenoid located on top of the motor behind the carburator.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Have to turn key a few times to start

Could be bad assist solenoid...could be a bad connection at the starter solenoid...could be a bad solenoid. Time to measure the voltage at the solenoid at the starter.

 

[Don S]

Re: Have to turn key a few times to start

Go to the link below and have a read. I think then you will be able to find your problem very quickly.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167035

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Have to turn key a few times to start

Have someone turn the key to start while you measure voltage at small terminal on the starter solenoid. If you have 12 volts there (and I'm betting you don't) there is a harness problem between the key switch and the engine. Perhaps at the large harness plug. If you do have 12 volts on that terminal the only problem would be solenoid. If the solenoid is good it would click which would then point to the starter.

The next check would be for 12 volts on the ignition switch. If it is missing the instruments and solenoid would not get powered. So -- set the key to RUN. Do the gauges come to life. If not, you have a 12 volt feed problem from the engine to the helm. If they do the issue is combined to the starter system.

then there is the neutral start switch circuit.

 

[krusejs]

Re: Have to turn key a few times to start

New starter slave selenoid fixed it. Now I got bigger issues but that's a long story.