Starter Solenoid

[DUKE1]

I have a 1986 Johnson 140 Looper that I was using the otherday and after a run for about a twenty minutes or so, I found that after I turned it off, it wouldn't start. When I turned the key I got the chirp and the tach zero'd out, but nothing happened....no sound, nothing. I ran back in on the other engine, and after I got it home and was flushing the motor, it cranked fine and purred. I'm thinking that this was the starter solenoid that caused the problem. I just replaced the PP not long ago other than this issue, she runs great. What does a solenoid do when it's going south on you to let you know? Can they fry out from heat but them work again when they cool off?
Thanks,
DUKE1

 

[F_R]

Re: Starter Solenoid

Possible solenoid, but I'd be more concerned that it might be the starter motor. Vibration and shaking it around may have caused the armature to move a hair and again make contact with another communtator segment or the brushes.

But before you get into any of that, how about your battery terminals? Clean? Tight? Don't assume, clean them shiny bright.

 

[papasage]

Re: Starter Solenoid

had simular probablem . could tap ot jump the solenoid and it would crank with the key cahnged solenoid . now no probablem . with the clicking befor not doing anything sounds like a bad conection .

 

[DJ]

Re: Starter Solenoid

I'll bet it is a connection issue. Check the block grounds.

 

[DUKE1]

Re: Starter Solenoid

Thanks for the help. The batteries are new (6 months old) but I'll recheck them for tightness. If it was the started wouldn't I at least get a sound out of it? I could tell the motor was getting electicity, I could still hear the primer solenoid click when I hit it, but no noise was coming from starter. So I check the battery connections first, then whats the next logical step, swap out the starter solenoid? I checked the starter itself and it didn't feel loose. If the starter is bad, does it just go or does it give some indication that's about to.

Thanks
DUKE1

 

[DJ]

Re: Starter Solenoid

Remove the negative battery ground from the block and clean it thoroughly. It think that will be your problem.

I've seen dozens with that symptom. Simple fix.

I've never replaced a starter and only one solenoid in 30 years. Outboards that is.

 

[F_R]

Re: Starter Solenoid

There are other things than a solenoid that will keep the starter from actuating. Mainly the neutral-start safety switch in the remote control. If you want to avoid replacing parts unnecessarily, check it all out with a voltmeter. Yes, the fact that it is an intermittant problem complicates it. I would say 95% of replaced solenoids are not bad at all, but the problem is somewhere else. It's the "must be the solenoid" syndrome. Change that to "might be the solenoid" and you will lead a happier life.

 

[DUKE1]

Re: Starter Solenoid

Thanks guys, thats what I'll do (clean the block ground). I checked some of the connections, and did see a little crud on there. Appreciate the help.

DUKE1