starting problem until i push to choke

[INHUNTER]

I hit the key multiple times a day for several days & all is well. Then all of a sudden when i turn the key to on, the alarm doesn't sound, nor does it even try to turn over when turning key to start.

When the problem occurs, if I put the key in the off position, push the choke in & let it back out (still in the off positon), & then turn the key on (no choke) the alarm sounds & when I turn to start(no choke) it turns over and works for days again before having the problem.

I've already replaced the starter solenoid & the ignition switch. I still have the same problem.

Any ideas?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: starting problem until i push to choke

Have you cleaned the battery connections and tightened the wingnuts with a pliers? Have you checked the main harnes plug at the motor to make sure it's fully engaged? You might also try spreading the pins in the main connector to make sure they are making solid contact. If any are pinched together with no gap, that might be the problem.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: starting problem until i push to choke

Or your switch may be giving up the ghost.

Mark

 

[INHUNTER]

Re: starting problem until i push to choke

I have cleaned all the battery connections (1st thing i tried). To give a little more info, I found out that when it won't start, there is no power getting to the starter solenoid. From that, it appears the problem is between the ignition switch & the starter solenoid, so I replaced the ignition switch. I was thinking maybe neutral saftey switch, but moving the control handle has no impact on it, only thing that seems to have an impact is if i push the choke in & let it back out before i turn the key.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: starting problem until i push to choke

Real confusing mate. Seems to me that the common thread is the ignition switch. That's the only place where both functions have a common origin.

Nothing else in the loop unless you have a dirty contact somewhere besides the battery you said you checked.....but I don't know the pull-in current of either solenoid so I can't comment on whether or not the choke solenoid current "primes" the circuit (overcomes terminal resistance) for when you turn the key on over to start.

Might take a look at the terminals on your wires where they connect to the wire. May have some corrosion there causing the problem (under the terminal crimp).

Mark

 

[gss036]

Re: starting problem until i push to choke

If your wiring harness (from the boat) has a large plug which plugs into the motor harness, , pull it apart and clean it up. They can and do corrode. It is located (normally) on the lower starboad side of the block in a detent.

 

[INHUNTER]

Re: starting problem until i push to choke

Thanks for the replies folks.

I had a friend over who helped me trace all the wiring with a meter & finally it stayed broke long enough to rule out some stuff. Then it started doing something it hadn't before: I had no battery power at the switch, no guages or anything worked. We were stumped as to if this was a new problem or if it finally gave up completely. We then found that when the battery wire was on the terminal of the ignition switch, there was no voltage on the terminal. We put the probe into the connector & there was voltage, but only about half of the voltage it should have. We ended up running a new "battery" wire off of the fuse panel to the ignition switch & so far it is working good. This was the only thing we knew to do as to not mess with the whole harness that comes off the fuse panel to the ignition switch.

I won't say its fixed until it goes a week without failing, but am hoping this was the issue all along.

 

[INHUNTER]

Re: starting problem until i push to choke

Good news is by running the new wire my ignition appears to be fixed. The bad news is now my power trim isn't working on the throttle control or with the switch in the bow & the tach didn't work the last time out. The trim button on the side of the motor DOES work though.

I've gone over all the connectors that I could find & all seems to be connected.

What wire provides the power to the trim button in the bow & on the throttle control?

 

[gss036]

Re: starting problem until i push to choke

Year and model and Sr# of the engine might be helpful. Different engines have different wiring harnesses.

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: starting problem until i push to choke

At this point, it's obvious that the main wire the brings the B+ (12v) forward is somehow toast.

-W

 

[Laddies]

Re: starting problem until i push to choke

Have you checked the fuse on the motor for the 12v. power wire to the ign. switch it also runs to the power trim switch

 

[Dizzi]

Re: starting problem until i push to choke

When it comes to tracing wires and checking voltages/resistance as often happens we tend to pull on wires in the wiring harness trying to follow them. If during this process new electrical issues occur you are no dought deling with loose connections/ broken wiring. This would explain the other problems with the trim and tach. I would try to remove all tention on connetion points such as teminals and pin plugs and then perform continuity checks. You will have much better luck troubleshooting then with voltage do to DC voltage and grounds can be elusive it there are loose wiring. Good luck mate. Remember Start at the begining or end and go step by step. Do not jump around or you could go right past it.

 

[INHUNTER]

Re: starting problem until i push to choke

Thanks for the replies folks. This is driving me nuts, especially since I have a big trip planned at the end of Aug. I've also talked to two different shops & they want nothing to do with an electrical troubleshooting problem. So I'm on my own, learning as I go.

Year and model and Sr# of the engine might be helpful. Different engines have different wiring harnesses.

1995 115hp Mercury 4 cyl, serial #0G228077

I don't believe its a fuse problem. I'm hoping we just pulled a wire loose or pinched something when fixing the starting problem, but the question is does the hot(+) wire for the trim come from the ignition switch, direct from the battery, etc? That's the one I think I need to trace.