Ignition Switch Failure
 

Guys,

We had an awesome day on our local mud puddle, despite a short spat or rain, until we pulled anchor and headed back.

We didn’t think much of it at first, but the wife hit the key to start the engine and noticed the switch turned kinda odd, but it started fine. We can’t really remember hearing the horrendous whine, but then the sundeck was crazy slow to lift (where we keep the anchor), and the volt meter was showing less than 10v, and we heard it. Initially, I assumed the alternator was going south.

While waiting for the wife to bring the trailer around, I took this…..


I’m pretty well convinced it’s an ingition switch failure. It’s stuck in the “start” position”. The diagnosis checks all the boxes…. Even the startup sequence of the GPS.

Knowing there’s a lot of crap coming from China and such, any recommendations of a replacement switch? I’ve seen boats with what appeared to be off/on/momentary start toggles, presumably doing away with the key. Any thoughts on these?

Thanks. Brad.

Just realized….

Title should read “Ignition Switch Failure”….

Damned autocorrect.

Thanks. Brad.

rpm was having fun !!!

Fixed

Griff,

Thanky. :cool::ernaehrung004:

Thanks. Brad.

Jeff,

It’s stuck in the “start” position. I edited the OP to include that detail. That whining sound you hear is the starter reengaging with the flywheel. Whenever the shifter is in the neutral position, satisfying the neutral lockout, the starter kicks off. Not sure what happened with the switch, but I’m guessing it’s an internal mechanical failure of some sort. I’m gonna dig into it this morning.

Thanks. Brad.

I just ordered 2 switches from Eddie Marine. I have no idea where they get their products. Mine are original and almost 30 years old so if the new ones last 1/2 as long I'll be happy. I'm assuming you have tried shutting off the engine and trying it again to see if it is stuck? If it is then you would only have to turn the key to the "On Position" and the starter should take off correct?

Rob,

Pretty sure the switch failed mechanically. It feels completely different. It turns way past where it used to while starting.

I’m just now getting ready to back the boat into my shop, and I will be pulling the panel out of the dash to get a look at it momentarily.

Thanks. Brad.

Lol!!! Those positions are F'd 1 through 3

Rob,

Yup. Pretty sure I’ve got “Off” at 12o’clock and “Start” at the other four, two of which I didn’t have prior to yesterday.

Thanks. Brad.

Glad its not the starter. I burned one of mine up so I ordered 2 new permanent magnet gear reduction ones. Waiting to see if you replace the switch or go with some kind of push button setup.

Rob,

Can’t tell for sure if the starter took a hit until I get an ignition switch installed that’s behaving properly.

I think it’s OK, as it seemed to work just fine in the parking lot. I went brain dead for a second and turned key, it kicked the starter the instant it hit the “On” position and the engine fired right up. Oops…

Thanks. Brad.

Brad,

looks like your switch failed internally. A lot of switches have an Accesory (power to various electrical items without the engine system having power) setting.
something like, Acc, Off, On, Start. Some do and some don’t. You can do some research on your favorite way to wire these up.

I would suggest replacing the ignition switch. Take lots of photos and videos before taking it apart. But it’s a pretty straight forward change. You can pick one up at lots of stores west marine, Amazon, local boat store etc. just keep your original switch and keys until you’re sure you can throw them out.

good luck and glad you made it back safely.

Guys,

I’ve got a new ignition switch on the way; should arrive sometime today. It will be installed before day’s end.

So, what’s the over/under that the starter, and/or flywheel are damaged as a result of engaged driven at idle? I have no doubt hours of life have been lost for both, but I wonder about actual damage done.

Thanks. Brad.

XComunic8d,

Yup. Looked pretty straightforward. I’m not at the shop, in the boat, at the moment, so I can’t be certain, but, if memory serves, there are three wire mounting tabs, one with one big red wire, one with a single smaller wire that I can’t recall the color of, and one with about six wires or various colors. My intention is to transfer them one mounting tab at a time, 1-for-1. Of course I will be taking pics, just in case of any fumblefinger incidents that I know I’m capable of.

Thanks. Brad.

pretty unlikely to have damaged the flywheel, in my experience. It is possible but out of all my experiences of people who have done this, i can only recall 1 person who killed their starter. the starter is "normally" the casualty, in my experience. that being said replace the ignition switch and see what happens.