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ContinuousWave Whaler Moderated Discussion Areas ContinuousWave: Small Boat Electrical Turn Key--Get Faint Click Under Cowling
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Author | Topic: Turn Key--Get Faint Click Under Cowling |
Newtauk1 |
posted 06-10-2008 09:43 AM ET (US)
When turning key [on my 2001 Mercury 75-HP electrical start ignition switch] all I hear is a faint clicking sound under the cowling. This problem has become worse over the last three days; it takes more and more turns of the key to get juice. The battery is charged. I have a Morse MT2 control without a lanyard. Is this a wiring problem at the control or a starter problem on the motor? |
seabob4 |
posted 06-09-2008 07:50 PM ET (US)
First thing is to tighten all connections to the starter and ground lead from the battery on the powerhead. Make sure your battery terminals are TIGHT. Check your battery voltage as well as the voltage at the starter. Outboard motor starters aren't cheap, so you hope that is not the [cause of the problem]. It's not your neutral safety circuit, so even if you bypassed it, wouldn't make a difference. Try the suggestions and reply back. |
Newtauk1 |
posted 06-09-2008 07:58 PM ET (US)
[T]hanks. [W]ill do. |
Casco Bay Outrage |
posted 06-09-2008 08:47 PM ET (US)
John--I had a flaky starting [problem] on my older Yamaha two-cycle; it would turn over and over and took a long time. Turned out to be a splice in the battery cable. Check your cable to ensure there is no splice. While the factory gives a four-foot tail, often [someone] crimps on an extension. The connection was a poor crimp wrapped in electrical tape and corroded over time. I replaced my cable with a fat AWG-OO direct to the console. Fired up so quickly, it scared me. Also, if you are using ring connectors for the battery connection, I would change those to the automotive style connectors. C B O |
Newtauk1 |
posted 06-09-2008 11:47 PM ET (US)
Thanks Phil. I am using ring connectors. I will clean and tighten everything tomorrow. |
Newtauk1 |
posted 06-09-2008 11:50 PM ET (US)
PS . To be clear. On the turns of the key that the motor does not start it does not engage the starter at all. When it does connect the motor fires right up. |
Sebash4 |
posted 06-10-2008 09:51 AM ET (US)
Sounds like a starter bendix to me. I had the same problem and after applying a little grease to the bendix it engaged everytime. |
jimh |
posted 06-10-2008 09:41 PM ET (US)
There are two distinct circuits involved in engine cranking. The low-current circuit runs through a fuse, the remote key switch, the neutral safety switch, to the solenoid coil, and thence to ground (or battery negative). The high-current circuit runs from the battery, to the solenoid, to the starter motor, to ground (or battery negative). If you hear a faint click it is probably the solenoid coil operating. This means the low-current circuit is working. If you do not get engine cranking after the solenoid operates, the problem is in the high-current circuit. |
Newtauk1 |
posted 06-11-2008 12:10 AM ET (US)
What should I check on the high current circuit? |
jimh |
posted 06-11-2008 07:23 AM ET (US)
The high-current circuit runs from the battery, to the solenoid, to the starter motor, to ground (or battery negative). |
jimh |
posted 06-11-2008 09:30 AM ET (US)
See: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/electricStart.html |
Newtauk1 |
posted 06-11-2008 05:32 PM ET (US)
Battery checks out. I tested with a Snap On Tool Battery load tester. I cleaned all connections and checked the Neutral safety switch on the MT2. Having marina look at it tomorrow as I am out of town. They are leaning towards a bad solenoid based on my findings. Thanks for the help. I am a bit clueless with electrical problems. |
Newtauk1 |
posted 06-11-2008 07:56 PM ET (US)
Jim H-Great Reference article. Thanks. |
Chuck Tribolet |
posted 06-11-2008 11:34 PM ET (US)
Faint clicking sound: If it works some of the time it's not a wire routing problem. First guess would be a bad solenoid or connections. I'd put a
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Newtauk1 |
posted 06-11-2008 11:57 PM ET (US)
With the cowling off the clicking sound was distinct. Motor would not start at all today. The problem clearly has become worse. Again, marina mechanic is on the job tomorrow. I am out of town for the weekend so no missed time on the water. |
Newtauk1 |
posted 06-12-2008 12:30 AM ET (US)
Chuck-Marine mechanic is leaning towards a bad solenoid based of my reports to him. He's on it Thursday. |
Newtauk1 |
posted 06-13-2008 01:24 PM ET (US)
[The problem was remedied by replacement of the] solenoid. |
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