Testing ignition switch and wires - Big Twin

[baytonemus]

First outing with the restored boat and motor last weekend. It ran great and everything went well, except that the electric start has crapped out. I have a brand new Sierra (I think) switch so, when there was no click and the starter itself was still working, I assumed that it was the very old starter solenoid. I replaced it with a used one. Still no joy.

How do I test my ignition switch to see if that's the problem? Can I short a couple of the terminals or wires? If so, which ones?

Thanks.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Testing ignition switch and wires - Big Twin

Without a model number, we don't know what engine you have. There should be two small wires on the solenoid. One grounds to the safty switch and the other comes from the key switch. When you turn the key to start, you should have voltage on one wire. If not, makesure you have voltage going to the switch.

 

[baytonemus]

Re: Testing ignition switch and wires - Big Twin

Model number of the motor is in my signature. Thanks.

 

[baytonemus]

Re: Testing ignition switch and wires - Big Twin

I thought I'd close this thread out by describing what I found. Several screws holding the brackets, cams, and other pieces of hardware to the magneto had come loose. This caused the safety switch to be open. A bummer to have to pull the flywheel and regap the points, but a good lesson. I was lucky not to have lost any parts, to be honest. I put it back together, but this time I used a little blue locktite. Fired right up.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Testing ignition switch and wires - Big Twin

You never want to use locktite in your ignition parts. Trust me on this one. Even the blue 320 is taboo.

 

[baytonemus]

Re: Testing ignition switch and wires - Big Twin

I didn't use it on any actual ignition parts, just brackets, throttle cam, plug wire hold down clamps, that sort of thing. What did you use it on that caused problems?