Hit the key and the motor does nothing

[ranger69dv]

I have a 1986 Procraft bass boat. Normaly it runs very good but this last weekend i went to start the motor in order to check the new impeller i installed it would not turn over or do anything when i hit the key. what do you suppose the deal is. The motor is a 1986 force 125 horse

 

[Hooty]

Re: Hit the key and the motor does nothing

Howdy ranger69dv,<br />Welcome to iboats. You're gonna have to give us a few more hints. Was the battery dead?<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[OBJ]

Re: Hit the key and the motor does nothing

Well Ranger....not being real good with Force engines, we'll try.<br /><br />Is the engine in neutral?<br />Is there a fuse in the starter circuit that could be blown?<br />Are the battery connections solid and clean?<br />Check the starter solenoid connections are clean and solid.<br />If it started good before the impeller change out, it's gotta' be something simple.<br />A wiring diagram would work real good for ya' right now.

 

[Troy_from _Oz]

Re: Hit the key and the motor does nothing

hi there ranger,<br />Welcome to iboats.<br /><br />I'd suggest you try starting from the battery and work your way to the ingition/control box. Make sure your battery has charge and that the leads to the battery havent vibrated loose or are contaminated. I've had that problem before - -a bit of a wiggle, tighten them up and it solved the problem. <br /><br />If youve got a multimeter and are comfortable using it, try testing your leads that way too.<br /><br />if that doesnt help you may have to start to look at the ignition system. A manual will help here I would think.<br /><br />Best of luck<br />Troy<br /><br />Edit- oops - looks like outboardjim has posted while i was typing. I think he-s got it covered

 

[ranger69dv]

Re: Hit the key and the motor does nothing

The battery is charged all connections are clean and tight. The motor is in nuetral. When i touched a screwdriver from the hot wire on the sylenoid to to the ground on the sylenoid it would turn overwhats the deal with that

 

[jim dozier]

Re: Hit the key and the motor does nothing

That means its not your starter motor or your battery. It is either the solenoid, the connections back from the solenoid to the battery, or the ignition switch, or the motor does not think it is in neutral.

 

[ranger69dv]

Re: Hit the key and the motor does nothing

If i have to change the sylenoid, how much do you suppose it will cost. Or if i have to change the ignition switch how much will it cost.

 

[jim dozier]

Re: Hit the key and the motor does nothing

I don't know prices but I don't think solenoids cost much. You're just gonna have to call around.

 

[ajp]

Re: Hit the key and the motor does nothing

I would first check your battery cables inch by inch. <br />A bit of advice for everyone:<br />Old boat manufacturers used to put the battery and control cables in a rubber tube from the battery compartment to the motor. These tubes are good for one thing---trapping water. What happens when they have water in them---they corrode battery cable. <br /><br />Check your cables inch by inch, recheck the ends by pulling and twisting on them. <br /><br />Other than that, starter selenoids are relatively cheap at your local auto parts store.

 

[ranger69dv]

Re: Hit the key and the motor does nothing

Do i have to buy a sylenoid specificly for my motor or are they mostly all the same. there such a simple device, i cant see were they differ one from the other

 

[jim dozier]

Re: Hit the key and the motor does nothing

I believe the marine ones are spark free and the automotive are not. Best to use the one for your engine.

 

[dkondelik]

Re: Hit the key and the motor does nothing

'Afternoon Ranger,<br /><br />Jump a hot wire the the small+ and a ground to the small- on your solenoid. This "hot-wire" scheme will active the solenoid and engage the starter IF the solenoid is working. If the solenoid does not engage, then, time to replace it<br /><br />IF,... you decide to replace the solenoid with a generic part, make sure you get one that will work without major mods to your wiring. I just did that to my kids 3-wheeler. Used a Briggs instead of a Honda. Much cheaper and easier to find BUT,..... the solenoid BODY is ground on the Briggs. The Honda "switched" in the ground with the start button. This meant that as soon as the key was turned to "RUN" the solenoid was always engaged, 100% of the time. Had to rewire the scooter to switch in the HOT instead of the ground. Not a big job but will be confusing to the next guy that owns this little toy.<br /><br />Do whatever your comfortable with.<br /><br />Good Luck<br />HAVE FUN!