Cooked starter, solenoid?
 

Donzi 28zx with twin mercruiser 350mpi's. Ignition key was left on for about 15 minutes. Try to start and get nothing not even a click. After a few attempts to start while rapping on starter solenoid it fired up. Could leaving the key in the on position for that length of time cook the starter, solenoid or both? Also, if anyone is familiar with the 28 (if necessary) can the port side starter be removed without pulling motor? It looks like a real pain to get at. Thanks any help appreciated.

not energized till start position

Revised
 

My mistake, now that I have the boat home I do get a click from solenoid. After every 5 or 6 starting attempts the motor fires. I'm guessing I fried the solenoid by leavin key on. Any experts out there that can confirm this. Help much appreciated. Thanks.

Like US1 said, the voltage is not applied to the starter or slave solenoid unless the ignition switch is in the cranking position. Leaving the key on will have the ignition circuit energized but not the start circuit so no, this will not cause you problem.

I would look closely at all of your cables. Bad connections lead to voltage drop across the solenoid terminals. Sometimes you can just clean the connections, but the cables can build up oxidation (green powder) on the outside of the wires under the insulation where it is not visible. This leads to increased resistance, because the current actually travels on the outer surface of the wires.

You just added 15 min to your hr meter.

As said before check your connections and voltage. Otherwise slave solenoid, they go bad.

thanks all. solenoid was done. so am i from stuffin myself in the bilge. but i'm happy, toys fixed... thanks again.