Help finding slave solenoid

[Timxxl]

I think I need to replace my starter solenoid on my 2000 350 Mag MPI Ski, but exactly where is it?

Is this it? Or is this the slave solenoid?
http://www.iboats.com/mall/partfinde...****=299532688

Or do I need to buy this entire thing?
http://www.iboats.com/mall/partfinde...****=724185295

Is the small cylinder the "solenoid"? And does it come with the starter itself or sold separately? I always thought it was the solenoid, but when I look at the iboats products, the "solenoid" looks more like the relay to me...

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Help finding starter solenoid

Re: Help finding starter solenoid

http://www.iboats.com/Mercruiser-St...5674431--**********.067981079--view_id.373985
starter solenoid mostly mounted to the starter itself, slave solenoid(slave relay) mounted elseware

 

[SteveH_1919]

Re: Help finding starter solenoid

Re: Help finding starter solenoid

Are you talking the cylinder mounted on the starter?
Maybe replace the starter.

Or are you talking the a relay mounted near the Carb?
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...PONENTS++(IGN.+MODULE+IS+MOUNTED+ON+EXH.+ELBO

I think I welded my slave solenoid. Gotta buy one. The dealer says they all are the same thing and fit most applications

Steve

 

[Timxxl]

Re: Help finding starter solenoid

Re: Help finding starter solenoid

I guess I can't find the slave solenoid. See attached pics. I think I'm looking at the starter solenoid (small cylinder attached to the starter itself), but I'm not sure what that plastic block is. Is it some kind of relay for the neutral safety switch?

Here's the problem. When I crank it, I hear a click, but the engine won't turn over until after multiple cycles of turning the blower on, turn key, turn blower off, rinse and repeat. I can always get it started, it just takes several cranks most of the time (and sometimes it fires up right away). It seems to act up more when the engine is cool.

So I think I need to replace the starter solenoid. Would you all agree? And do I likely not need to worry about the slave solenoid (even though I can't find the darn thing)? Or could it be related to the neutral safety switch?

(The bottom pic is of my bilge pump. Someone told me to look there for the slave solenoid...)

 

[Don S]

Re: Help finding starter solenoid

Re: Help finding starter solenoid

I think I'm looking at the starter solenoid (small cylinder attached to the starter itself), but I'm not sure what that plastic block is.

That is the starter solenoid, the square plastic block is a 90A fuse.

Here's the problem. When I crank it, I hear a click, but the engine won't turn over until after multiple cycles

Read this thread.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167035

The pictures should help you find the slave solenoid.

(The bottom pic is of my bilge pump. Someone told me to look there for the slave solenoid...)

NEVER, EVER, listen to them again. They know nothing about engines.

You might also find this very handy.
http://www.4shared.com/document/Pss92fbC/Service_Manual_24.html

 

[Timxxl]

Re: Help finding starter solenoid

Re: Help finding starter solenoid

Don,

Thanks. I've read and gone through the testing procedure you linked. The difficulty I'm having in pinpointing the problem is that my engine cranks sometimes, and sometimes it doesn't (i.e. the problem is intermittent).

Can you help me find the slave solenoid. I see it in the diagram, but I cannot find where it is mounted in the engine compartment. Is it close to the starter? Bolted to it? somewhere else?

 

[Timxxl]

Re: Help finding slave solenoid

Anyone help point me in the right direction to find where my slave solenoid is?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Help finding starter solenoid

Re: Help finding starter solenoid

I guess I can't find the slave solenoid.

See that yellow/red wire (attached to the starter solenoid) in the middle photo? Your slave solenoid is on the other end of it.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Help finding slave solenoid

edit sorry

 

[6meter]

Re: Help finding slave solenoid

My boat is an '86 so it might be located differently. Mine is at the front of the motor on the right side (looking at it from in boat) above the water seperator filter,covered with a plastic shield. It will also have a #2 red battery cable to it.

 

[Kaplooi]

Re: Help finding slave solenoid

Isn't it usually located near the main circuit breaker under a plastic cover? I agree that one way or another you can follow the wire attached to the solenoid on the starter motor.

 

[Timxxl]

Re: Help finding slave solenoid

Ok. I finally found and ruled out the slave solenoid. Now trying to remove the starter solenoid. Took the power, ground, and neutral safety switch wires loose. How do I get the solenoid out? It's a tight space, and on the opposite end of the solenoid I can see one male-headed torque bolt. When I feel with my hand around the back side of the solenoid up against the engine block I can feel a second male-headed torque bolt. There is no way I can access this bolt if that's required to remove the solenoid.

So then I thought maybe I have to remove the entire starter (hoping the solenoid would come out with the starter. I removed the two long bolts that run along the side of the starter which loosened the starter casing (it seems). I don't want to pull the casing off or the guts might fall out!

Please help this rookie!!!

 

[Don S]

Re: Help finding slave solenoid

You have to remove the whole starter to change the solenoid. 2 Vertical bolts hold the starter to the block.

 

[Timxxl]

Re: Help finding slave solenoid

I took the casing of the starter off, and I can see 3 small Gears still attached to the block through the remainder of the starter armature. I can feel one bolt going up, but don't see or feel a second bolt. Am I on the right track? I can't even access the bolts from underneath...

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Help finding slave solenoid

You need to remove these to remove the starter, some boats will require engine removal

 

[Timxxl]

Re: Help finding slave solenoid

I have a 2000 Aztec sunstar inboard. Do I have to pull the entire engine? The back bolt is wayyy under and I can't get a wrench on it.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Help finding slave solenoid

Wait a minute before you pull that starter. Disconnect your battery ground. Go back and make sure you have clean corrosion free electrical connections everywhere in the starting and ignition paths.
Also make sure your battery connections are clean and tight. Plus make sure your battery meets cranking amp requirements. Then if it still gives you trouble do a starter draw test. You need instructions, an expert or a microprocessor controlled battery tester for the test. But that's how you avoid replacing functional, expensive parts.
You can test the battery and starter at many shops with a little handheld device they use to check electrical stuff. Is there a marina or auto parts you like to use? Go there.
If the starter tests bad then get, or do, a proper marinized repair to your starter. No car electrical parts, they go boom.
It ain't rocket science, backyarders like us can do it. You just need the right sequence and info.

 

[Timxxl]

Re: Help finding slave solenoid

I've checked all connections and they look good. Have a brand new 650 amp battery I installed a month ago.

After removing the front portion of the starter, I slipped the casing off and it looks fairly corroded (see pic). I'm thinking I should replace the entire thing (even though my problem is likely the starter solenoid).

So I was able to easily remove one of the starter mounting bolts, but as I mentioned the other bolt is back, up, and under the starter so I have to "feel for it". Unfortunately I cannot get a socket on the bolt head since it's tight up against part of the engine block (Grrrr!!!!). So I tried an open-ended 1/2" wrench. I can get the wrench on the bolt (barely), but it feels a little loose. I'm afraid I might strip it. (Also tried a 12mm and a 13mm wrench and they definitely don't fit so I think 1/2" is the right size). Are there any really slim (thin) sockets or different types of wrenches you might suggest I try?

As I sort that out, I've been looking at buying the right starter. My motor manual lists two possible types of starters: 1) a Permanent Magnet Gear Reduction starter, or 2) a Delco 14MT Direct Drive Starter. I have the Direct Drive Starter apparently.

Do I want this remanufactered one? http://www.iboats.com/mall/partfinder/?*******=178276408&gd_grid_id=1679&gd_poid=111892&gd_row=97&**********=269069384

Or should I get this new Sierra model? (they both look a little different...): http://www.iboats.com/mall/partfinder/?*******=178276408&gd_grid_id=1679&gd_poid=111886&gd_row=97&**********=269069384

 

[6meter]

Re: Help finding slave solenoid

Well, you need to remove the starter now cause you'll never get it back together right. Unless they use funny headed bolts now, they were a 3/8" bolt with a 9/16" head. you shouldn't need a special thin socket to fit on it. Its not that close to the block. Try a 9/16" socket. Are you sure you're removing the bolts that hold the starter? I could be wrong. again.

 

[Timxxl]

Re: Help finding slave solenoid

The one starter mounting bolt that I WAS able to remove was 1/2" socket. It worked fine and was a tight fit.

The back bolt head is definitely tight up against a piece of metal. Maybe not necessarily the engine block itself, but probably a metal part of the starter housing.