Starting problems

[Raystownboater]

On my mercruiser 228, when i turn the key, I hear a click. I followed Don S. instructions and still cannot find the issue. I pulled the starter and took it, along with the battery, to get checked. Both tested good. I reinstalled and tested the slave solenoid. It seemed to test ok but I replaced it anyway. I checked the cables and replaced any wires that I thought were in need of replacing. Checked all connections, etc. Still, when I hit the key, I hear a click coming from the slave solenoid. What am I missing???

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Starting problems

Test the output of the slave. The wire than goes to the starter. it should show 12 volts when key is in start.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Starting problems

On my mercruiser 228, when i turn the key, I hear a click. I followed Don S. instructions and still cannot find the issue. I pulled the starter and took it, along with the battery, to get checked. Both tested good. I reinstalled and tested the slave solenoid. It seemed to test ok but I replaced it anyway. I checked the cables and replaced any wires that I thought were in need of replacing. Checked all connections, etc. Still, when I hit the key, I hear a click coming from the slave solenoid. What am I missing???

How did you "test" the slave solenoid?


Use a test light that positively tests for voltage at the starter "side" of the solenoid.

Better yet, USE a DVM (Digital Volt Meter) and measure the ACTUAL VOLTAGE. (A solenoid is just a simple magnetic switch. It can "click" but not work if the inner contacts are burned or you have bad connection someplace.

Also, if you haven't, check ALL the ground connections! If you have a "bad" ground connection, you might get a click, but not have enough current to turn the starter. It will seem like a dead battery.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting problems

I reinstalled and tested the slave solenoid. It seemed to test ok but I replaced it anyway. I checked the cables and replaced any wires that I thought were in need of replacing. Checked all connections, etc. Still, when I hit the key, I hear a click coming from the slave solenoid. What am I missing???

If you have had all that checked, and even replaced the slave solenoid, and you can hear the slave solenoid click, then my guess is you don't have any power to the slave solenoid. The big terminal with the red or red/purple wire on it should be hot anytime the battery is hooked up. Doesn't matter what position the key switch is in.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Starting problems

The big terminal with the red or red/purple wire on it should be hot anytime the battery is hooked up. Doesn't matter what position the key switch is in.

That terminal is HOT all the time. I replaced the wires to the slave solenoid and hooked up a remote starter switch and still get the click. Can I connect the remote starter switch directly to the starter, bypassing the slave solenoid, to try and isolate the problem more?

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting problems

You need to go back and read my How To again. It will take you right to the problem.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167035

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Starting problems

I've run through the testing procedures again. The Slave solenoid is what I have and how it is hooked up. A is lit all the time, B lights up when I try to start it, then stays lit. I connected the test light to both and hit a ground and both lit up. B is wired to the small post on the starter solenoid and when I touch that, it is also lit up.

The slave solenoid is new and like I said, I had the battery and the starter both tested and tested good.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting problems

Well, if every thing is good, then you can't have a problem.
Make sure the wiring is all hooked up. Maybe you missed a hot wire or ground wire on the battery. Have no idea what, but something you say is ok, isn't.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Starting problems

Can I run a jumper directly to the starter and bypass the slave solenoid just to make sure the starter engages? Im thinking I could start to narrow things down if I can get the starter to turn over, in the boat, without the slave solenoid. I know it engaged on the bench test but there has to be something Im overlooking.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starting problems

Can I run a jumper directly to the starter and bypass the slave solenoid just to make sure the starter engages? Im thinking I could start to narrow things down if I can get the starter to turn over, in the boat, without the slave solenoid. I know it engaged on the bench test but there has to be something Im overlooking.

Ayuh,... 12V applied to the inner most tiny termnal, next to the block,...
Will excite the Starter...

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting problems

Sure, just jump between A and B, just like it says in the HOW TO.

 

[mnm01]

Re: Starting problems

Hey yorkboater,just a thought..can you turn the engine over by hand? possible seized engine

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting problems

I sure hope when he says his slave solenoid clicks, that its just a little click, and not the starter doing a hard CLUNK! when the starter hits a locked up engine.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Starting problems

Yep, that was my first concern but after removing the spark plugs I could crank it by hand. Whew! Anyway, I tried jumping it and nothing happened. Connected my remote starter switch to "A" and "B" on the starter and...............nothing. BTW, the click is DEFINITELY coming from the slave solenoid

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting problems

Connected my remote starter switch to "A" and "B" on the starter and...............nothing.

Then the starter solenoid is not working.

I pulled the starter and took it, along with the battery, to get checked. Both tested good.

FAIL !!!!!

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Starting problems

I'll head to grab a new starter in the morning, and try this all over again. Thanks for the help! Its greatly appreciated.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting problems

I'll head to grab a new starter in the morning, and try this all over again. Thanks for the help! Its greatly appreciated.

So, how do you know if it's the starter and not the battery?

Try this, with your remote starter switch hooked up, also hook a meter across the + and - terminals on the battery. Then hit the button. If the voltage drops way low, then you have a battery or connection problem. If it doesn't change, you have a starter or solenoid problem.

PS: If it is the starter, you MUST get a marine starter, not an automotive.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Starting problems

I'll try testing the battery before I pull the starter. What confuses me is the fact that the battery tested good at auto zone and the starter also worked fine when the hooked it up on the bench. That leads me to believe that its a wiring issue, if not the slave solenoid, but the tests are pointing to either the starter or maybe the battery, depending on how the tests go in the morning.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Starting problems

" checked the cables and replaced any wires that I thought were in need of replacing. "
please describe what you did.
IF the battery tested good with a load and the starter bench tested good (describe your process)
then if leads to a cable issue. Did you check the neg cable where it attaches to the block?

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Starting problems

If you scroll up, you can see the wires on the slave solenoid were all replaced with new wire, and connectors on both ends. I pulled the neg cable off the block and cleaned it, then replaced it.
Both battery and starter were taken to autozone and bench tested. The starter worked when they hit the switch and when they connected the battery to the computer, it said "good battery". The first thing I asked was if the computer checked the battery under load and I was told "yes".