No power to starter 50Gxi VP

[wbertot]

"I went to start my 2003 VP 5.

"I went to start my 2003 VP 5.0 GXi today and was not able to get it started. There was no power to the starter.

I did have power to everything else, horn, lights, gauges etc. The fuel pumps primed up when I put the key to ignition. I got the 2 beeps I normally get just before turing the ignition to the start position. I could a slight click (solenoid?) when I turn the key to the start position but NOTHING to the starter.

The batteries are just over a month old with a couple of perfect outings under the belt.

I did play with the key several dozen times and at one point got the starter to turn w/ plenty of juice and start the engine.

Since you all have helped me in the past become a novice mechanic could you help me out in the troubleshooting steps.

Thank you."

 

[el_pescador]

"My guesses: neutral safety sw

"My guesses: neutral safety switch, bad ground between the engine block and the batteries, bad starting relay."

 

[wbertot]

"El Pescador,

Thanks for th

"El Pescador,

Thanks for the immediate response! I have tried resetting the switch. While in the engaged position I get power to my gauges but when I pull it I lose it kills all the power. To me this appears to be working correctly. Is this enough info to rule it out?

I will check the grounds today that is easy enough.

As for the starting relay how do i go about testing that? Should I just replace it?"

 

[el_pescador]

"I am not familiar with your e

"I am not familiar with your engine model. However, most if not all of the VP engines do have a yellow/red wire going from the starting relay to the starter solenoid. If you take a jumper from the + of the battery and touch the prong/terminal in the starter where the yellow/red wire is attached and the starter turns, then the problem is neither the starter nor a bad ground, but likely either defective wiring, a defective starting relay, a defective ignition switch, or a faulty neutral safety switch.

Not sure where the starting relay is located on your engine, but you will recognize it because it will have a red/yellow wire connected to one of its prongs. Once you know where it is, you can test it by identifying the + wire going to the relay coil and see if it gets 12V positive when you turn the ignition key. If it does but the relay does not work, the relay is likely faulty; and if it does not get 12V+, then there is a problem between the ignition switch and the relay, usually the neutral safey switch.

You may want to get hold of the Seloc manual and have a look at the electrical drawing, it is pretty simple."

 

[wbertot]

"Well it looks like its my sta

"Well it looks like its my starter or the starter solenoid that is bad. I performed some test and was able to get power all the way to the starter solenoid. The connections were corroded so as i tried to take them off when part of the solenoid broke off.

I guess it is time to pull the starter. My Seloc manual shows the screws on the side of the starter, however they are not there. Anyone know how to get this out? What other parts need to come off to get to this?

Finally does the starter need to come out to replace the solenoid?"

 

[el_pescador]

"I suggest you'd better pu

"I suggest you'd better pull the starter so that you can properly test it or send it to a shop.
It is not a big job to remove it. Your engine is a 5.0 Chevy, so the starter is bolted from the bottom (2 bots). See this link:

http://www.volvopentastore.com/Starter/dm/cart_id.220807850--list_time.122175951 2--session_id.606067712--view_id.329708"

 

[sandkicker]

"There are two types/locations

"There are two types/locations of starter mount.. "Up" and "down". "Up" mounted starters are mounted above the centerline of the crank and face aft, "down" are below the crank line and face forward. Yours is "down".

Unfortunately sometimes all it takes is one "bath" in bilge water to cause a starter to fail, which in some boats is not all that much water if the starter is "down". Often the failure is weeks or even months later. Make sure your bilge pump works properly and has a working "auto" mode."

 

[wbertot]

"So I went ahead and replaced

"So I went ahead and replaced the entire starter. There was corrosion on the starter motor itself and an old salt I took it too suggested I replace the whole thing or I would be doing this again in < 6 months.
Since it was a royal PITA for me to remove it, it was an easy sell. I went ahead and painted it red like the rest of the engine and the put a coat of anti-corrosion to hopefully prolong the life this time around. I hit the key and she starts up better than EVER!!!!!!

Thanks to all who helped!"