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Could something besides a bad starter solenoid cause this?

F

Frank Corley

New member
So when I turn the ignition sometimes I get a click, sometimes I get nothing, and sometimes it cranks. Brand new starter on a 1991 5.0LX. I just did a head job on the engine and bought the new starter online and installed it myself. I want to assume that it is t the starter solenoid and ask this group if there could be other likely areas I could check and how to eliminate the solenoid as a cause. I have a remote starter switch I bought still in the box and I can use that if it will help. The boat is a 1991 Bayliner 3055. It's in good shape including the wiring. The boat has two engines and the other has never had a problem.
 
how old is the battery?it could be a bad battery or a voltage drop in the connectors or cables from the battery...you should have battery output on the large positive term at the solenoid at all times...then when you turn the key to start you should have battery output on the small term of the solenoid..this picks the solenoid and feeds battery output to the starter..

a fully charged battery will read 12.7 volts or close to it...when the solenoid picks you should have a minimum of 10.5 volts on the starter post...the normal culpit is corrosion and a bad connection on a battery post causing a voltage drop...2nd is a volltage drop in the first inches of the cables as they leave the battery...these cables should flex as easily up close to the battery as they do away from the battery...a meter is the best way to look for the drop but you can feel heat with your hand if its a battery connection or cable corrosion..

keep in mind that you can only read a voltage drop on a meter when you are trying to pull current...if you just walk up to the boat and start probing with a meter without trying to start you will read the same voltage everywhere..
 
Are you one of those guys who use wing nuts on the battery cables? If so...

Seen more no-start problems from using them instead of a hex nut (properly tightened).

Jeff
 
A remote starter switch is designed/rated to "jump" the low current ( key to coil on solenoid) curcuit, not the high current ( solenoid contacts) circuit.
 
Having the same issue on a 1992 Glasport/ mercrusier 4.3. Checked the solenoid, starter ( starter was bad, replaced).......... checked cables, and yes i have wing nuts that hold the cables onto the batteries. I then checked the distributer cap.......... wow, what a mess! inside the distributer, all kinds of nasty stuff.........corrosion.......... is there any way to clean the stuff out?
 
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