IS this a Solenoid Issue?

[Nautiqueman]

My bro-in-law has a 1991 Ski Nautique with Ford 351 engine (300 hours) mint condition boat. This is his first engine problem in 19 years.

He ran the boat several times this spring and last weekend. However, this weekend, the engine won't turn over or attempt to crank, but all power options work well like radio, blower, horn, bilge pump, etc.


Is this a solenoid in the starter? He reset the breakers and still nothing.

Thanks
Nautiqueman

[dsums]

Old school trouble shooting was to turn ignition on and short a screwdriver across the starter posts. If the motor fires you know where the problem is. It is beneficial to be well ventilated because there will be some sparks. A lot of times there is also a secondary solenoid somewhere other than on the starter. On my old Supreme it was on an electrical strip on the back of the block with engine breakers etc.
On my cousins MC it was buried under other items at the rear of his 5.7 L.

[dalesieg]

I am having the same issue. I contacted N3 Boatworks and they suggested it is the relay not solenoid. I am ordering one and hopefully that will fix it.

[NigelC]

My guess would be the solenoid near the breaker on the rear of the engine. They are not too expensive to replace.
I have seen problems with these numerous times. Check to see if you have +12V on the starter side whilst attempting to crank the engine. If you are brave, you could try shorting the posts with a large screwdriver but as dsums suggests there will be a few sparks so make sure the engine is very well ventilated.

[bobchris]

My guess would be the solenoid near the breaker on the rear of the engine. They are not too expensive to replace.
I have seen problems with these numerous times. Check to see if you have +12V on the starter side whilst attempting to crank the engine. If you are brave, you could try shorting the posts with a large screwdriver but as dsums suggests there will be a few sparks so make sure the engine is very well ventilated.

sorry there isn't a solenoid on a ford engine, it is called a starter replay.

[NigelC]

sorry there isn't a solenoid on a ford engine, it is called a starter replay.

Same thing. Looking for replacements, I have come across references to both.

[behindpropellers]

My bro-in-law has a 1991 Ski Nautique with Ford 351 engine (300 hours) mint condition boat. This is his first engine problem in 19 years.

He ran the boat several times this spring and last weekend. However, this weekend, the engine won't turn over or attempt to crank, but all power options work well like radio, blower, horn, bilge pump, etc.


Is this a solenoid in the starter? He reset the breakers and still nothing.

Thanks
Nautiqueman

Sounds like a corroded cable issue to me.

Start with the simple things first.

Tim

[DanielC]

I have a 1997 ski, with a GT-40 engine.
There is a solenoid on the starter. There is also a heavy duty relay on a steel panel behind the engine.
If your starter has a smaller cylindrical object above a larger cylindrical object, the smaller cylindrical object is the solenoid.

There are two big terminals on the solenoid. the lower big terminal goes to the starter motor. The upper big terminal, with a thick red wire goes to the battery. This wire should have battery voltage on it at all times. The voltage should be 12 to 13.5 volts, depending on how well the battery is charged, when NOT trying to crank the engine.
The voltage should remain above 10.5 to 11 volts when the engine is cranking.
Jumping the small terminal on the solenoid to battery voltage should make the motor crank.

If the solenoid clicks, but the engine does not crank, check the voltage at both the lower big terminal, and the upper big terminal, with the key in the start position, or the small terminal jumped to battery voltage. It should be the same at both big terminals, with the key in the start position.
If there is no voltage at the big terminal, the contacts in side the solenoid are bad. If the voltage is the same, and about 12 volts, the starter is bad, no connection inside the starter. If the voltage on both terminals is below 10 volts, the battery is bad, or the engine is locked up, and the starter cannot turn it.

I have taken starters with a bad soleniod only, replaced the solenoid, about a 20 dollar part, and made the starter work again.

[mrbobolina]

Could be a silinoid. before you start replacing parts you should test the currenst with a voltmeter. your problem could be a weak battery. Bad Silinoid. Faulty starter. Bad or corroded ground or power cable. Part of or all of the above. Spark plugs could be shot. on my '97 gt-40. I had a problem in all of these areas. Now all is good. You also are carborated, distributor cap points could be dirty too.

[Nautiqueman]

Thanks for the ideas

Hey, thanks so much for the help. I know that the battery is fine as all electrical items work except the starter. So we will troubleshoot as you all suggested!

Nautiqueman

[behindpropellers]

Hey, thanks so much for the help. I know that the battery is fine as all electrical items work except the starter. So we will troubleshoot as you all suggested!

Nautiqueman

Still can be poor connection at the battery or corroded main battery cables. They will still carry lower amperage loads but will not start the boat.

Tim

[mrbobolina]

Hey, thanks so much for the help. I know that the battery is fine as all electrical items work except the starter. So we will troubleshoot as you all suggested!

Nautiqueman

I reread your inital where you said it will not turn or crank. It is very likley the starter, however be sure to look at the fuel pump/relay. Easy test is to unhook the full tube coming from the pump to the motor. Take that end that was on the motor and put it in a jar or something. Turn the key, do not turn the engine over. Fuel should shoot out. About a cups worth. You will also be able to hear the pump sort of buzz. It takes a bout 5 minutes to test this. A 20 year old boat could easily have a fuel pump issue.

If you do not get fuel. You will need to do an electrical test at your ignition. Could alway be an old fashion ignition switch problem as well.

My guess though is the starter.

[dalesieg]

fixed!

I replaced the starter relay today. Fixed the problem. Starts like a champ now.