Starter wont crank with multiple attempts, then it does......whats up.

jonsm114

Active Member
Sep 4, 2015
250
Defiance, Mo
Boat Info
1996 400 Express Cruiser
Engines
7.4 MPI Mercruisers
400 EC with 7.4 MPI. Turn ignitions on and push start switch on dash, Nothing, no crank, nothing. Push and release start switch multiple times, nothing, then suddenly with another push it starts and runs fine.

Replaced starter solenoid in brain box...still nothing, acting the same way.

Any suggestions? Starter switch Intermittent? Should I replace the switch?

Starter?


Note* batteries check out fine, connections tight, grounds good.

Thanks for any experience or suggestions.

Jon
 
Do you have and emergency start cross over switch ? If so I'm just wondering if it can be a start solenoid problem, just
my guess
 
Neutral start switch can be intermittent, it was on mine. Jump it and see if it starts before you start throwing money at it.
 
I just replaced 2 switches at the helm and it solved both issues I was having... 1st switch was the engine sync and the power vent switch. I had to hit them multiple times and then they would go, I started thinking I'll be spending a boat buck to solve this mystery and decided to go with the least expensive items first... BINGO !!
 
I had the same symptoms on my port engine and it turned out to be the salve solenoid on top of the engine (not on the starter). Just fixed it this weekend. A new battery solved the problem for a few start cycles, then problem came back. Is this the solenoid you referenced in your post?
Screen Shot 2019-05-19 at 9.26.53 PM.png
 
Last edited:
Bingo! A slight jiggle of the transmission stick will tell you if the neutral switch is broken or incorrectly adjusted. You can use a meter to verify the slave. Meter it out while someone hits the key. Keep clicking the key and eventually the meter should go hot once the slave finally pulls in.
 
bad start switch? start with the cheap solution first :)
Bingo!
Sometimes it’s not even the switch. It can often just be the connections in the back of the switch. Clean them up or crimp new ones one and many times you’re good to go.
 
Had similar issue with my boat 10+yrs ago. Turned out there was some corrosion on the big black ground wire connection on the engine block (after ruling out all the other likely suspects of course). I really didn't think that was the issue since it appeared to be relatively corrosion free, but that was it. Been fine ever since cleaning and reinstalling the connection onto the post.
 
all great suggestions.....have a punch list to go through this weekend.....thanks...will report back.
 
I had the same symptoms on my port engine and it turned out to be the salve solenoid on top of the engine (not on the starter). Just fixed it this weekend. A new battery solved the problem for a few start cycles, then problem came back. Is this the solenoid you referenced in your post? View attachment 70503
installed one of these sunday…..no go. Will put a meter on it this weekend.
 
When you put the start button in the first position, do you hear the alarm and fuel pump?
 
I had the same symptoms on my port engine and it turned out to be the salve solenoid on top of the engine (not on the starter). Just fixed it this weekend. A new battery solved the problem for a few start cycles, then problem came back. Is this the solenoid you referenced in your post? View attachment 70503
Thats what I'm talking about !
 

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