454 starter problem
 

I have a 87 Baja 240 sport with a 2005 454 mag. The boat has been sitting for 2 yrs. This year when trying to start it all i get is a single click noise when turning the key. The batteries are good. Checked with volt meter. Power to starter also good. I needed to get the motor started and went online and found a sight to start your motor by the use of solenoid up by the Mercathode. I hooked up my starter trigger to this solenoid and turn key, pulled trigger and motor cranked and started. My question is , do i have a bad starter or solenoid or both. I"m trying to find before i pull this starter, which is a real nightmare to do. thanks, any info much appreciated. Dan

sounds like a bad slave solonoid to me,can,t be the starter if it turned over& started.

Thanks for the info. how do i check if the slave solenoid is bad. thanks.

i would just replace it,it is cheep and easy to change.i am pretty sure it is your problem.

Put your hand on that solenoid. Have somebody hit key. Feel it click? But engine didn't crank. Jump across those 2 big terminals. Hear starter crank? You just tested it Now you know solenoid is bad.
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Dubl post

I have always wondered, why run a relay to trigger the solenoid? That 16ga yellow wire could be hooked directly to the starter and would work fine

It actually doesn't work fine if you do that. Not enough power coming all that distance from the dash switch. Yes, the starter will engage, but not any left over for ignition.

I have repaired a few boats where people brought the yellow/red from ign switch right to starter. All had same complaint, and I verified each time. Engine will maybe fire as you release key from cranking. They wouldn't fire as the starter was cranking.

I don't have a slave selenoid on my Fountain.