slave solenoid/starter issues

[swandogg]

First of all this place is great whenever I have needed something. But a search didn't help completely with what I am looking for. Thanks to Don S for the test I found.

I have a 85 Rinker with a Mercruiser 2.5l I/O. We were out yesterday and couldn't get the boat re-fired. The starter sounded like it was grinding. After coming on here last night and finding this test, I was able to find that I had no voltage coming out of the slave solenoid. I jumped the two posts on the solenoid with a wire and she fired right up. Anytime I go to start the boat it fires right up now. Also the exhaust sounds louder since doing this.
My question is, is the solenoid really bad or is there something else that caused this. I ordered up a new one anyway, but I'd rather be safe knowing that this is my only issue before going back out.

 

[Don S]

Re: slave solenoid/starter issues

I would start checking connections between the dash and the engine. If one of the connections on the ignition switch, neutral safety switch, main engine harness or one of the small terminals on the slave solenoid was a little corroded and not supplying full power to the solenoid it could keep the solenoid from pulling in and making contact. OR, the solenoid itself is intermittant.

 

[swandogg]

Re: slave solenoid/starter issues

Thanks for the quick reply Don.
I am back out in the garage and went thru the whole test again and what I am finding is when I get to this part of the test is where my problem lies I guess.

"Hook up your test light again with the clip on a good ground. Now touch terminal C of the slave solenoid with your test light and have your helper turn the key to the start position again. The light should light up? "No voltage" If it did, touch your test light on terminal A, "12 volts" if it lights, hook your test light lead to it, and put the probe on terminal D "no voltage" (the ground) if it doesn't light, then you have a bad ground for the slave solenoid and without that ground the slave solenoid will not work."

There is what I am finding yet the engine is still firing. You make any sense of this? Or is the problem staring me in the face and I am not seeing it!

 

[Don S]

Re: slave solenoid/starter issues

Yea, I can make sense of it. You moved the ground wire on the D terminal of the slave solenoid and that was enough to make it work again (For a short time) clean em up and put some dielectric grease on them and it should work for a long time.

 

[Bondo]

Re: slave solenoid/starter issues

Yea, I can make sense of it. You moved the ground wire on the D terminal of the slave solenoid and that was enough to make it work again (For a short time) clean em up and put some dielectric grease on them and it should work for a long time.

Ayuh,.....

That means take'em Apart 1st, sand'em with emery cloth, clean the Stud side, reassemble, tighten,+ Slather with Grease......
And it wouldn't hurt a Thing to do the Battery's Ground wires,... Both Ends,.... At the same time.....

 

[swandogg]

Re: slave solenoid/starter issues

I appreciate the help guys. Will clean and grease everything up.