Possible Ignition Issue?

[viper12161]

Have an issue that started last year. I will go to start the boat, and when I turn the key to START I get nothing.....no click no nadda. If I do it a few times, engine turns right over and all is well. Completely intermittent. I could have started the engine, shut it down, and then it will do the no start thing. All without touching anything else, like the throttle. Which is kinda what makes me think the actual ignition is toast. Is there any particular ignition I need to get or just any 3 plug system (if I recall there were three spade connections off the back of it.

Thanks!!

[viper12161]

To clarify, I do have the usual alarm going off when I turn the key to on, so it is getting power. But nothing happens when I go to the Start spot. Even the alarm doesn't stop.

[viper12161]

Hmmm, now that I think about it, I tapped into that ignition wire for my electric trim tabs. I wonder if that connection is screwy. Think I may have used butt connectors, but maybe I will take it apart and solder it the right way and see if that helps. Won't really be able to test fix for a few days, water pump ate itself so waiting on that to come in so I can fix it. Sorry, talking out loud here lol

[mmwjr]

Does the engine crank but not start or doesn’t even crank? If the latter I would suspect the slave solenoid.

[viper12161]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

Does the engine crank but not start or doesn’t even crank? If the latter I would suspect the slave solenoid.

Nope, it does nothing. Like I didn't even turn the key. Slave is part of the starter right? If it was that, I figured I'd at least get a click or something, but legit nothing.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by viper12161

Nope, it does nothing. Like I didn't even turn the key. Slave is part of the starter right? If it was that, I figured I'd at least get a click or something, but legit nothing.

No the slave solenoid is on top of the engine next to the 50 amp breaker. Verify you get voltage to the small terminal when the key is in the start position. If you have power there verify power on output large terminal that goes to the starter solenoid when the key is in the start position.

[viper12161]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

No the slave solenoid is on top of the engine next to the 50 amp breaker. Verify you get voltage to the small terminal when the key is in the start position. If you have power there verify power on output large terminal that goes to the starter solenoid when the key is in the start position.

Ahhhh, yeah I went and looked it up right after you posted. Would that be something that was intermittent? Like it works fine, then 5 seconds later it doesn't, then another 5 seconds it works again? I'm actually gonna run out now and take a look at it and see if the connections are good or if they have any corrosion. I know it's electrical so can always be buggy lol

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by viper12161

Ahhhh, yeah I went and looked it up right after you posted. Would that be something that was intermittent? Like it works fine, then 5 seconds later it doesn't, then another 5 seconds it works again? I'm actually gonna run out now and take a look at it and see if the connections are good or if they have any corrosion. I know it's electrical so can always be buggy lol

Yes very common for this solenoid to fail this way. Good thing is a new one is only $25.

[viper12161]

Nope, for that price I'm just replacing the damn thing. Any benefit going Mercury vs Sierra? About a $12 difference.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by viper12161

Nope, for that price I'm just replacing the damn thing. Any benefit going Mercury vs Sierra? About a $12 difference.

Not in IMO.

[shrew]

Originally Posted by viper12161

Hmmm, now that I think about it, I tapped into that ignition wire for my electric trim tabs.

What is the gauge wire for the ignition circuit?

What is the gauge requirement for the electric trim tabs?

This makes little sense to me what you did here? I would think that you'd run the tabs off of a dedicated circuit with a fuse.

[viper12161]

Sorry Shrew, yeah that sounded a little vague lol. You need to run a wire to the ignition to show key on/off. The trim tabs retract automatically when you turn the key off, this is what tells it that. It's not the main power source, that I ran to my fuse box.