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Start / Ignition switch issue?

M

mark_searay

Contributing Member
Hello,
1985 Sea Ray SRV255, twin 470's

I believe I have bad ignition switch. Month ago replaced port starter & battery, starts great. Last week turn key, just single click at solenoid. Rechecked all wire connections - good, cable resisitance <0.1 ohm. Rapped starter with hammer, still just click at solenoid. Slowly cycled helm control in and out of shift engagment, started. No further issues.

This week first start attempt on port, spins great, starter will not disengage, will not disegage when ingition switch is cycled quickly, mutiple times, started to pull the fuse when it let loose, cranked about 20-25 seconds. Let cool few minutes and started no problem, no issues rest of weekend.

Queston, does it sound like switch is bad, creating two types of fault? switch is three terminal: S, I, B; any recommendations on a part number for replacement, checked this site and others not so easy to cross reference. Also any recommendation on a circuit breaker PN to replace the fuses while I'm at it, as the back of fuse termainal shows bit of usual 25 yr., fresh water corrosion.

Thanks in advance for your help
Mark
 
sound like your slave solenoid is sticking or like you suggest your key switch is finniky.

You can try this, it is what I call a remote starter rig. It allows you to start and stop a engine with NO key.
 
mark_searay said:
Hello,
1985 Sea Ray SRV255, twin 470's

I believe I have bad ignition switch. Month ago replaced port starter & battery, starts great. Last week turn key, just single click at solenoid. Rechecked all wire connections - good, cable resisitance <0.1 ohm. Rapped starter with hammer, still just click at solenoid. Slowly cycled helm control in and out of shift engagment, started. No further issues.

This week first start attempt on port, spins great, starter will not disengage, will not disegage when ingition switch is cycled quickly, mutiple times, started to pull the fuse when it let loose, cranked about 20-25 seconds. Let cool few minutes and started no problem, no issues rest of weekend.

Queston, does it sound like switch is bad, creating two types of fault? switch is three terminal: S, I, B; any recommendations on a part number for replacement, checked this site and others not so easy to cross reference. Also any recommendation on a circuit breaker PN to replace the fuses while I'm at it, as the back of fuse termainal shows bit of usual 25 yr., fresh water corrosion.

Thanks in advance for your help
Mark
Click to expand...


the starter solenoid is probably bad...since it continued to crank engine with the start switch off ...

you should use a voltmeter to confirm that the solenoid continues to supply power to the starter , when the solenoid coil feed is zero volts..
 
Thanks, Kghost and J_cat.
J_Cat, would not the test you suggest require measuring this when the starter is stuck "engaged and spinning the engine". That seems tough to catch and measure as well as burning up the starter by the time you get the voltmeter on it or am I missing something.
Starter is rebuilt from local marina and has only 6 starts on it, sounds like infant mortality problem with rebuild unit???
Thanks
 
mark_searay said:
Thanks, Kghost and J_cat.
J_Cat, would not the test you suggest require measuring this when the starter is stuck "engaged and spinning the engine". That seems tough to catch and measure as well as burning up the starter by the time you get the voltmeter on it or am I missing something.
Starter is rebuilt from local marina and has only 6 starts on it, sounds like infant mortality problem with rebuild unit???
Thanks
Click to expand...

disconnect the starter fom the starter solenoid..then using a meter check that with the starter switch off , no voltage would go to the starter feed terminal ...throw start switch on / off to see if the solenoid is working as fast as you throw the start switch ...all this with the starter not connected...


I would just replace the solenoid ,,,,with the starter just being repaired it may have burned up the solenoid contacts...
 
Hello all, follow up.

Checked solenoids, appeared ok.
Replaced both P & S ignition switches, no issues this weekend. It seems like now both starters engage quicker and disengage quicker on both engines after swtich replacement. Obivously this is hard to measure this but it sure has an improved sound/response on both.

The orginal posted problem was on the port engine but now after switch replacement the starboard volt gauge now only reads 1/2 volt low from its usual 1.5 volts low. (even with clean tight terminals from before)

As this is/was an intermittant problem hope this fixes it, if not back to solenoids.

thanks for all your help.
 
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