Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

[glengold]

1977 Evinrude 55hp

I just replaced the starter solenoid a couple months ago and it has already failed. I'm curious as to why, maybe its a cheap brand? maybe i need a smaller fuse on the red wire?

I believe it was the sierra brand but unsure.

I am looking at the solenoids on iboats and there are several to choose from. Sierra, Arco and Mallory brands, but mallory is out of stock. It that because it is the only one that lasts awhile?

Anyone have some suggestions? Jumping the starter solenoid is getting old fast!!

Thanks

 

[F_R]

Re: Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

The fuse is not the cause. Just how does it fail? Won't click? Or clicks but won't crank? If it won't click, it might not be a failed solenoid, but something else.

 

[glengold]

Re: Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

It won't click, test light comes on when i turn the key so it is getting power. I already replaced it once, with the same type.

I got the replacement from my mechanic, it was the same type that was on it the first time (grey plastic outside)

I noticed the arco looks to have stainless steel on the outside and it said something about being insulated, its 5 bucks more expensive. The mallory brand is out of stock, I was wondering if that is because it is better.

Anyways I'm planning on buying the arco brand this time, hoping it will last longer.....

 

[Fed]

Re: Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

Test again using a meter instead of a test light.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

Check with a meter on both small terminals of the solenoid. If voltage shows on both terminals when the key is turned to the start position you have a bad ground. Not sure about your motor but many of those motors of around that time grounded through a safety switch. Run a jumper from the ground side of the solenoid and try it to isolate safety switch. If I remember correctly the models with the safety switch ran a white wire on both sides of the solenoid coil.

 

[glengold]

Re: Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

Can't I test it by running positive to the key side and neg.to the ground side and leaving the positive main connections off??

Let me further explain.... I want to use jumper cables to connect the small terminals leaving the large main ones that positive flows through to the starter unconnected. I should be listening for a click when connected, meaning the switch is being thrown. If I don't hear it click then the solenoid is bad.

Why the meter?? I should be looking for 12 V and the light will go w/ less??

If the ground is bad then the solenoid should click when I use jumper cables to go from the negative battery terminal to the ground on the starter solenoid right??

I did notice that the ground wire is smaller gauge than I would expect to see, esp. considering the gauge of the main positive to the starter.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

Can't I test it by running positive to the key side and neg.to the ground side and leaving the positive main connections off??

Let me further explain.... I want to use jumper cables to connect the small terminals leaving the large main ones that positive flows through to the starter unconnected. I should be listening for a click when connected, meaning the switch is being thrown. If I don't hear it click then the solenoid is bad.

Yes


Why the meter?? I should be looking for 12 V and the light will go w/ less??


Right, but you could use the light and judge its brigtness if you are getting full voltage.
If the ground is bad then the solenoid should click when I use jumper cables to go from the negative battery terminal to the ground on the starter solenoid right??


Right

I did notice that the ground wire is smaller gauge than I would expect to see, esp. considering the gauge of the main positive to the starter.

The small wire only grounds the solenoid coil. The starter motor itself grounds to the engine block through the starter frame.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

You should have the type starter solenoid that has two large terminals and two small terminals. If you're using some other type, I suggest you obtain the proper one.

White wire leads from the "S" terminal of the ignition switch to one of the small 3/8" nut terminals of the solenoid. The other small 3/8" nut terminal should have a black wire leading to a ground on the powerhead. Make sure that the ground is clean and tight, otherwise you will encounter a voltage drop resulting in the problem you describe.

Remove and clean all cable and wire terminals associated with the starter circuit, including the battery terminals and the negative ground at the powerhead. A loose or tight but dirty connection will also result in a voltage drop.

Fed's reasoning for using a meter instead of a light is that you can make that light work with a series of flashlite batteries that total 12 volts BUT the amperage won't be there... and that sort of 12 volt application will not engage the solenoid or the starter. A meter would register a voltage drop if it exists as soon as the key was turned to the start position.

Thousands of parts in my remaining stock. Not able to list them all. Let me know what you need and I'll look it up for you. Visit my eBay auction at:

http://shop.ebay.com/Joe_OMC32/m.html?_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1

 

[F_R]

Re: Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

You have two small nuts on the solenoid. One is grounded. The other receives 12V from the key/start switch (through the neutral start switch in the control). So, it is simple..if you are getting 12V at the small nut and the other is grounded, it should click and start the motor. If you verify you have 12V and ground at the 2 small nuts, and it does not click, the solenoid is toast. I have no clue why you are blowing them. Shouldn't happen. Maybe you are right, try another brand.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

It may even depend on for how long time it is activated when starting.
More than 10 sec at the time without letting it cool off in between, yes, they will burn, they are not made for continuous running.
A weakening starter that may be slow in turning the engine may even be a factor.

 

[FHB]

Re: Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

You might check for a short circuit. I had this happen to a vehicle. It stopped when I discovered the burnt off insulation on the (? hot wire to the battery). Several mechanics missed it.

Frank

 

[Fed]

Re: Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

Why the meter?? I should be looking for 12 V and the light will go w/ less??

Yes.
Put the +meter probe on the +small terminal & the -meter probe on the -small terminal & check the voltage while someone hits the key.

The thing about solenoid coils is that they draw high current until the iron core pulls in (the click) then after the click the magnetic circuit is closed and the current is reduced.
If you supply voltage but not enough to pull the iron core in then the coil can be damaged, high current=heat.
Quiet a common thing in the electrical world of brownouts, they are far more damaging than blackouts.

 

[glengold]

Re: Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

Haffiman may have it.... The motor is tough to start and takes some cranking/choking/throttle adjustment to get her to fire. I believe she is in need of a carb rebuild. The solenoid was engaged and motor cranking when it failed. Maybe a better brand solenoid in the meantime but obviously i shouldn't be needing to crank it for 5 sec or more every time i start it.

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

Changing brands of solenoids won't fix the problem if you have a hard starting problem, even as a temporary fix, they are designed to do a specific job, by putting a long continuous load on it you drastically shorten the service life. The same thing also happens when the starter is struggling to turn over the motor, if the starter is trying to start a motor that is out of tune it will draw more current to turn it, again, shortening the service life drastically of both the starter and solenoid, and probably the wires/cables as well. Fix your carb/timing issues and then buy a new solenoid and you should be fine for a long time to come.

 

[glengold]

Re: Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

Thanks for the replies, I am ordering a carb kit and replacement starter solenoid from Iboats today. Which carb kit should I order? The motor is a 77 55hp. There is only one brand with the float, I feel like I should order that one being it is only a few bucks more and I am unsure the condition of the float in my motor. Any ideas?? I'm not sure if the float gets boogered up or not!

 

[mikesea]

Re: Starter Solenoid lasts a few months

I would buy the complete kit with the floats.As for your solonoid problem,I agree with the heat situation dueto excessive cranking,but als be sure your wiring is OK.Your smaller wire from the keyswitch coud also be suffering from age,heat,corrosion,often when the wire becomes smaller ,it will burn out,but I had the same problem yrs back,after changing the ignition wire (because it indeed had far fewer strands left,my problem went away.Whether it was the cause I dont know,because I did change the sol.again and problem went away for good.Either another bad sol.or the wire was contributor.Check the ends for bulging in the insulation ,or corrosion,if you have enough spare wire,you may want to put new ends.