Opps, grounded starter solenoid while tightening it

[Scali]

I know, I know, I shouldve disconnected battery..<br />Motors a 1994 40 hp.<br />I was tightneing the electrical box components & grounded the starter solenoid, sparked a little.<br />I used the boat today & sure enough towards the end of the day I'd turn the key & nothing, I was able to get it to bump over one more time to get me home..<br />Should I replace the rectifier or this starter solonoid thinggy <br />Thanks for any help

 

[Perfidiajoe]

Re: Opps, grounded starter solenoid while tightening it

Sounds like a rectifier or something in the charging. the only thing a solenoid does is transfer electric to the starter. Grounding it usually don't hurt it, for it to ground with a wrench you are on the battery side of it, before the it. On the other hand arcing the battery, (or battery side of the sol.) goes to the charging system. Get it started & check the charging. Pick another way to practice your welding. Good luck, Joe

 

[Scali]

Re: Opps, grounded starter solenoid while tightening it

It's most likely the rectifier then, thats really what I wanted to hear that the solonoid thing usually dont blow, I just dont want to throw parts @ it till I know what to replace.

 

[Perfidiajoe]

Re: Opps, grounded starter solenoid while tightening it

What were you doing to the sol. that you hit ground with the wrench?

 

[Scali]

Re: Opps, grounded starter solenoid while tightening it

I was just making sure it was tight & it needed tightneing the first nut on the post was slightly loose, I put an open ended wrench on it, rachet on the other then the wrench hit a mounting bolt for the box., I get into that box once every 25 hours or so & snug everything up . Last year I jumped a wake , the engine stalled then ran like crap, turned out all 3 nuts on the rectifier were backed off & it arcced melting the inside of that plastic cover & blowing the rectifier.. <br />Ever since then I make sure these electrical components are tight.<br />I had nuts vibrate loose on my other boat off the voltage regulator 90 Johnson once too..<br />If I wasnt so hungover from a Memorial day BBQ yesterday it wouldnt have happened, LOL

 

[Perfidiajoe]

Re: Opps, grounded starter solenoid while tightening it

If they vibrate loose, try a drop of lock tite on the threads

 

[Scali]

Re: Opps, grounded starter solenoid while tightening it

I was told not to use loctite on these rectifiers ? Bad advice maybe ?

 

[Perfidiajoe]

Re: Opps, grounded starter solenoid while tightening it

Maybe good advise, I'm not sure, unless they feel it won't ground through lock tite. Look in the book or ask one of the guys that are techs to look, or look on line. They usually tell you in the book, (maybe parts book), what lubricant or sealer to use on threads. Might have to put Dielectric grease on back of rectifier.

 

[matsyk]

Re: Opps, grounded starter solenoid while tightening it

Go to the drugstore or wifes purse and get some nail polish with metal flakes, you can always color co-ordinate to your boat. Use the nail polish like locktite. Unlike locktite it will hold but does not take a lot of torque to remove the fastener

 

[Scali]

Re: Opps, grounded starter solenoid while tightening it

I dont see how a drip over the tightened nut could effect anything either but I was told this by an outboard mechanic @ the marina I bought the rectifier, <br />thanks for the help Joe..