duksrule

I have a Baja 342 with twin 502s. When I hit the key sometimes it just clicks. This happens on both engines. I thought maybe it was the solenoid on the starter but when I opened the hatch the clicking seems to be coming from the electrical block on top of the motor where the circuit breaker is. If I hold the key to start and move the shift leaver back and forth it will keep clicking and eventually start. I am guessing this is just like cycling the key over and over just breaking and reenergizing the circuit with the neutral safety switches rather than turning the key. It happens on both motors. The batteries are brand new and over 13 volts. The clicking seems to be coming from the block where all the wiring on the top of the motor is screwed into the terminals. Anyone know what I should be looking to fix.

Right now I can jiggle the shifters and get the motors running but would hate to let it go and not get them started out on the water somewhere. It also seems to be worse when the motors are cold but also happens sometimes when they are warm and being restarted.

Thanks

JaayTeee

It's probably the starter slave solenoid
( item 5 in this picture)

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show_...AND+COMPONENTS

I've had those go bad before.

You may want to check the input voltage ( the small
wires at the bottom) to see if the voltage is near
battery voltage first though.

duksrule

Thanks for the reply. Would they be bad on both motors? Any way to jumper them out when it is clicking to see if that is the problem?

Andy

Bad grounds

duksrule

grounds on the motor, batteries, solenoids all of the above?

offthefront

iTrader: (1)

yup .... rework "ALL" the battery connections ... ....After you rework the cables try it ...However The Solonoids are easy to replace ... If they the show wear (corrosion) ... replace em too ...like 20.00 each ...m

Ryan8886

My friend has the same problem with the 350mag in his Malibu ski boat every spring when he brings it out for the first time. Our thinking was a condensation buildup inside the solenoid. Usually after the first few startups for the season, it goes away. However if it sits for a couple weeks without use, it has been known to return.

Had the same thing happen on our Sunsation with 7.4's this spring and at the time there was huge condensation under the hatch (long story). Since things dried out...no problems.

duksrule

Its a 99 model so I am going to clean up the grounds and swap both solenoids. The moister angle would make sence sinse it isn't as bad when the motors are warm.


Found them online at a place called www.jmsonline.net for $12 each. But shipping was $12 so the total would have been $36. Called the NAPA down from my house and they had them for $23 each so I am going to get them today.

cass236

My boat did the exact same thing, I just put a new starter in, and its good to go.

bowtie

Solenoids, jump across the two bigger studs on top of the solenoid to bypass it. This is the slave solenoids not the ones on the starters. They are cheap around 20 bucks each.