Starboard engine not starting, Neutral Safety Switch

Clearing Up

New Member
Jul 13, 2010
11
Potomac River
Boat Info
2004 320 DA
Engines
V-Drives - Twin 350 Mercruiser Horizons
2004 320 Inboard Sundancer, having an issue with the starboard engine not engaging. Engine will beep when I hit the helm switch but will not start, no sound. Toggle the starboard shifter back and forth a few times and the engine turns over. Next day, same result, engine beeps but does not turn over, move the shifter back and forth and the engine starts. Was told it sound like a faulty Neutral Safety Switch?

Has anyone else had this issue?

Thanks
 
2004 320 Inboard Sundancer, having an issue with the starboard engine not engaging. Engine will beep when I hit the helm switch but will not start, no sound. Toggle the starboard shifter back and forth a few times and the engine turns over. Next day, same result, engine beeps but does not turn over, move the shifter back and forth and the engine starts. Was told it sound like a faulty Neutral Safety Switch?

Has anyone else had this issue?

Thanks

I deal with this periodically on my 2003 320DA. Port engine. I'm not sure if it's the faulty switch or just some contact in need of cleaning. Like you, I just jiggle the shifter and she starts. I'm not too worried about it.

If you can find the right search terms, this topic has been discussed on CSR some where. I just don't remember where ( or, obviously, the solution). But it's on here! Try searching various boat forums (in addition to 320 the 280' 300, 310 and 340 forums are active with relevant info).

Good luck!


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I do not know the specific location of the neutral safety switch on your boat, but on most inboard boats it is built into the throttle/shifter. If you take it apart you should find a small switch that whenever the shifter is in gear, electrically disengages the starter. This is to prevent people from being knocked down or overboard if the boat starts while in gear. They may be nothing at all wrong with the switch (it is in fact, doing it's job) It is more likely the shifter is out of adjustment and needs to be adjusted.
 
I do not know the specific location of the neutral safety switch on your boat, but on most inboard boats it is built into the throttle/shifter. If you take it apart you should find a small switch that whenever the shifter is in gear, electrically disengages the starter. This is to prevent people from being knocked down or overboard if the boat starts while in gear. They may be nothing at all wrong with the switch (it is in fact, doing it's job) It is more likely the shifter is out of adjustment and needs to be adjusted.



It may be an out of adjustment switch in the shifter assembly. But many boats have the neutral switch mounted right on the transmission. In fact it is a safer location because if it is on the shifter the transmission may actually be in gear when the shifter thinks the boat is in neutral which of course could be a big problem. The transmission location is a better fail safe location.
 
I had the same problem on my 390. I changed the neutral switch, and it still did it. Then it started getting worse and harder to get it to start. It turned out to be the slave solenoid for the starter, but my laziness cost me a starter before I got around to changing it. Pop the engine hatch and listen when you turn the key. If there's no click, it's more likely the neutral switch. If you get a click but no cranking, i'd suspect the slave solenoid.
 
Most inboards have the neutral safety mounted on the transmission,not in the control box. Look for a plug or screw connections using 2 yellow/red trace wires.
 
Don't overlook the ignition switch. Maybe swap it out with the one for the other engine and see what happens.
 
I had the same problem on my 390. I changed the neutral switch, and it still did it. Then it started getting worse and harder to get it to start. It turned out to be the slave solenoid for the starter, but my laziness cost me a starter before I got around to changing it. Pop the engine hatch and listen when you turn the key. If there's no click, it's more likely the neutral switch. If you get a click but no cranking, i'd suspect the slave solenoid.

Jiggling the throttle to get the engine the crank does NOT give me a warm and fuzzy. I will definitely check next time to verify. Great tip !
 
Starter Slave Solenoid acquired, $29 bucks from dealer.
 

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