Optimax starting issue

[Usa1136]

2006 2 stroke 115 hp optimax. For the past few months that I have had an issue starting. It will start eventually but typically when the key is turned I hear a beep and one short noise from the engine/starter when I turn the key to start. The starter does not contunue turning. The engine is silent and does not turn over. I will turn the ignition off, ensure in neutral, turn key again. I need to do this between 3 and 10 times and then it starts. Engine runs fine after starting. Any ideas?

The only thing I found online was..I suggest of having burnt spot, when the contact washer rotates to the burnt position it fails connection and the starter will not crank. Maybe?? Sounds plausible.

 

[racerone]

No money spent here.-----Have your battery load tested.

 

[Chris1956]

Jumper the starter directly from the battery. If that fixes it inspect the wiring to the starter solenoid and the starter solenoid. You may have a slave solenoid in addition to the starter solenoid. Trace the wires from the starter back to it.

You might check the wiring diagram of the Optimax, just to make sure there is no computer control of the starter circuit. From my quick inspection, it looks like the slave solenoid is wired to the remote control directly.

 

[wrench 3]

If you look at the top of the Mercruiser forum you'll find a sticky "Adults Only" by the late great Don S. There is a section in there on "testing your engines starting system". Granted it is for an I/O but your system is very close to the same. If your ignition switch is in the control box and hence very hard to access you can start with the slave solenoid. If the first test there is good, then everything forward of there is OK. If that test is bad, then you will have to start at the beginning.

 

[Chris1956]

One more thing.. If the wiring diagram I looked at is correct for your motor, it appears the starter has the solenoid built-in, like an automotive engine such as the small block chevy.

In this case, the solenoid must slide forward in a tube to push the starter gear into the flywheel, and then it directly connects electricity to the starter. I would jumper the slave solenoid and see if you can detect the starter solenoid moving. If not, it may have some corrosion preventing it from moving. Or it could be worn out, allowing it to jam in the tube.

 

[Usa1136]

It was a bad in motion switch in the center console. Thanks for the replies. Pretty simple and cheap fix.

 

[ajgraz]

"Ignition" switch I suppose you mean.

Glad to hear it was something simple. Every time I read a post about an Optimax problem, my wallet starts sweating bullets.