Won't Stop!!

[SHickey]

Hello,

We were planning on taking my boat out with some friends. To avoid boat failure embarrasment, I always start my boat in the driveway with the muffs on and make sure it is operating properly.

My boat is an '87 Bluefin 2.3 liter with a Cobra outdrive. When I was starting the motor, it was beginning to catch and low and behold when I disengaged the starter, the starter KEPT GOING. I turned the key to the off position to no avail (the starter kept cranking) this went on for about 15 seconds and when I could not get the starter to stop, I went to the motor compartment and hit the battery switch to the off position and everything shut down.

I assume I will need a new key ignition switch which are readly available (I hope that is all I need).

I was wondering if I did any electrical damage to the system when I shut the power off at the batteries. I have read it is not advisable to switch batteries when the system is running.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

SH

 

[joelybob]

Re: Won't Stop!!

I think it maybe the solenoid that is bad. just a guess though

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Won't Stop!!

It is more likely that the Contacts in the Starting Solenoid Spot welded themselves closed.

The contacts may be a part of the starter or a separate unit.
The Start switch would be much less likely the cause.

Place a meter on the "S" terminal of the Ignition Switch. (Or Remove the Wire.)
Turn the Main Battery switch back ON.
If the Meter show Zero Volts and the engine starts cranking, It is NOT the Ignition Switch.

 

[SHickey]

Re: Won't Stop!!

Thank you both for your responces. I can easly get a new starter solanoid and change it out. I was just surprised the motor kept cranking even though I turned the switch to the off position.

If I switched my battery switch to # 1, do you think the motor will start cranking again with out activating the ignition switch?

SH

 

[joelybob]

Re: Won't Stop!!

yes it could. if it did it once. it can do it again.

 

[joelybob]

Re: Won't Stop!!

is # 1 your starting battery ?

 

[SHickey]

Re: Won't Stop!!

I can use either battery for starting but #1 is closest to the Off position.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Won't Stop!!

pull one of the small wires of the solenoid (make sure it doesn't touch anything) then turn on the battery switch. If it trys to start the solenoid is welded and needs to be replaced. If it doesn't start the boat may have a problem. Turn off the battery switch then replace the small wire and test again if it doesn't start then you have a intermittent problem and that's worth changing the solenoid as its cheap ( I don't normal suggest throwing parts at a problem but solenoids are know to stick and it is a cheap part)

 

[SHickey]

Re: Won't Stop!!

Thanks Commander,

I picked up a solenoid on my way home tonight and I will swap it out tomorrow. I REALLY hope this will solve my problem since everyone SOOOOOOOO disappointed we could not take a ride tonight.

I will let you all know how I made out tomorrow.

SH

 

[SHickey]

Re: Won't Stop!!

SUCCESS!!!!

I replaced the solenoid and it fired right up and turned off when I turned the key.

Lesson learned: Never crank my starter more than 5 seconds!!!

Thank you all for the great tips!!

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Won't Stop!!

There is no reason that cranking for more than 5 seconds should effect the solenoid.
If the Contacts welded, it happened in the first milliseconds after they closed.
The solenoid was the likely culprit, but I still do not like replacing parts without knowing if they were bad.
Just because it is working now doesn't mean you didn't mask the real problem.

Measure across the big studs on the Old Solenoid. If you still see a SHORT you know you you were correct.
If the Solenoid measures OPEN; It doesn't mean anything one way or the other at this point.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Won't Stop!!

The longer he cranks, the hotter the contacts can get if there was already some resistance in them.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Won't Stop!!

It is also POSSIBLE that they (the contacts) weld at opening. Contacts weld when they bounce or slide. This USUALLY happens at closing, but it is theretically possible for them to weld at opening if they slide past each other somehow. With traditional automotive contactor solenoids, this is VERY rare, but with more traditional relays (which, after all, is all a solenoid is) it is not totally unheard of. Another possible option for welding is when the contacts break and then quickly re-close. This is a common way to weld contacts. Uncle Willie is technically correct, in that welds do happen in the instant after the contacts close, or more correctly, in the intant when they are closing. BTW, SH is lucky he had a disconnect switch. I do not have one, so not sure how I would handle that condition. Maybe I should get one. Also, in case of a dead battery, I could start my boat from the trolling battery.

TerryMSU

 

[SHickey]

Re: Won't Stop!!

Thanks again for the input. In this particular event that fried my solenoid, I was relentlessly cranking my motor trying to get it to catch. I was in a rush and just wanted to get the motor fired up so I was abusing the starter when it would not stop cranking.

At that point, I was fearful the motor would start and the starter would keep cranking destroying the starter or fly wheel. I hit the switch because there was nothing else I could do to stop the starter. I am aware it is not advisable to switch the batteries ( 1 to 2, or 2 to1) while the motor is running due to a voltage surge but I was stuck and had to do something immediately.

If I did not have the battery switch, my next alternative would have been to disconnect one of the battery cables. And in that event, I would have been hard pressed deciding which cable to disconnect + or - . But anyway, it is working so far and I am great full for all the help I receive from this forum.