BAd Starter? Solenoid? Neutral Safety SW?

F

FLBoater66

Member
Jun 23, 2018
67
Boat Info
2006 Sea Ray 240 Sundancer.
Engines
2006 Mercruiser 5.0 litre
I own a 2006 Sea Ray 240 Sundancer and seem to be having an electrical issue. first off, I "think" my batteries are good as when I turn on my battery SW, My GPS comes up, horn works, trim works, etc. That said, I have not ck'd my voltage at teh batteries. The issue I am having is that the engine will not crank. When I turn the key to the R, I get the initial CO2 alarm, but it almost immediately goes out. I then turn the key and I can hear a click in the engine compartment. This seems to tell me that my key SW is good as The I get a click in the engine compartment. Further, I "think" it tells me that my Neutral safety sw is good, as once again, I am getting a "Click" in the engine compartment. It did start two times for me and both times, the batteries seemed to crank her over pretty good.

Does this mean that the likely culprit is the Starter Solenoid is bad, or more likely, due to the intermittent starts, it is going bad?

If so, can someone tell me where I can find the Starter Solenoid?

Or, am I totally off base?

Any advise, information, or even a best guess would be greatly appreciated.
 
Sounds like it. Jump the 2 big lugs at the top of it and see what happens. Mercruiserparts.com and enter your engine number
 
Thank you for th reply, I do appreciate it!
Qk question, are you referring to the solenoid on the starter, or the slave selonoid?
Also, what I meant by "Where can I find it?", I was referring to where is it physically located on the engine. Would you happen know where it is physically located on the Motor?
 
Start simple. Check those batteries. Put a volt meter on them then have someone try to start the motor. It could be as easy as a bad or dirty connection at the battery posts. Remember, a battery can sit there and run the toys on the boat but not have enough to handle the starting needs of a engine
 
Last edited:
scoflaw said:
the slave on my motor is on top by the circuit breaker
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Thanks for the info on the location, I appreciate it.
Do you know if the Solenoid is a solenoid is a solenoid, or if what I would get through Mercruiser would be a "Marine Grade"?
 
dwna1a said:
Start simple. Check those batteries. Put a volt meter on them then have someone try to start the motor. It could be as easy as a bad or dirty connection at the battery posts. Remember, a battery can sit there and run the toys on the boat but not have enough to handle the starting needs of a engine
Click to expand...
I visually inspected the batteries and all looked good. Clean and tight connections, and I also gave them a full charge. That said, I did not ck with a meter and agree that much more juice is needed in the way of cranking amps, than what a radio, GPS, or other on board appliance would require.
Thanks again and I will throw the meter to them when I get back home this weekend.
 
Golfman25 said:
I agree. Check the battery. How old is it?
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Not sure of the age of the batteries, as I bought the boat used. That said, I have owned it for 1 1/2 years now, so they are at least that old.
 
FLBoater66 said:
Not sure of the age of the batteries, as I bought the boat used. That said, I have owned it for 1 1/2 years now, so they are at least that old.
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Yeah. Boat batteries just don't really last. So 2 years with you, and probably a few more with the previous owner -- you're possibly looking at 5 years. I'd get it checked out.
 
A full charge on a dead battery with one or two dead cells means little to nothing. When I switched mine out I used Optima's Blue tops, they are in their 5th year but live on a charger. They are expensive but have been great for my boat.

I'm sorry you are having a issue but please check back in and let us know how it's going
 
Golfman25 said:
Yeah. Boat batteries just don't really last. So 2 years with you, and probably a few more with the previous owner -- you're possibly looking at 5 years. I'd get it checked out.
Click to expand...
Yeah, good call. I suspect the Solenoid may still be bad, but probably a good idea to replace the batteries while I am at it.
 
dwna1a said:
A full charge on a dead battery with one or two dead cells means little to nothing. When I switched mine out I used Optima's Blue tops, they are in their 5th year but live on a charger. They are expensive but have been great for my boat.

I'm sorry you are having a issue but please check back in and let us know how it's going
Click to expand...
I have had really good luck in my RV and my previous boat, with the Duracell Deep cycle AGM batteries at Sam's Club. That said, I may look into the Optima Blue top's.

Thanks again.
 
FL Boater 66 did you get the problem solved? I have a 250 Sundancer and have exactly the problem you describe including 2 new batteries, but just a click trying to turn it on. Thanks for the reply.
 
Unfortunately no, I have not had time to look at it. That said, I am planning to ck it out in the morning and will let you know if I find anything.
 
The problem was a dead spot on the starter. Replaced the starter/solenoid and she starts like a charm.
 
SO, I am finally getting back to this as I had a chance to at least throw a meter to my batteries. I may pull them and take them to advanced or O'reilly's and have them ck'd. I am still having difficulty in finding the Starter Solenoid that is to be near the top of the motor. I do find a 50 amp Circuit towards the top / rear of the motor, but the breaker does not seem to reset. Does anyone know where I can actually find the slave solenoid for the motor? or what it means if the 50 amp circuit breaker will not reset?
 
What engine? If Mercriuser 350 then half way down left side is starter and solenoid just on top of starter. Took about 1 hour to put in new sole/starter because it comes as a combined unit.
 
Thanks for the tip, It is the mercruiser 5.0. When you say left side, is that as I am in the engine bay, facing the rear of the motor?
 
Slave is located on top of your engine near your distributor. Starter is on the starboard side low and aft.
 
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