Key spins in starter?

[2catchfish]

First laet me state that this is my first post but that I have learned a lot from reading various post over the last couple of months. I bought a 230 BRS at the beginning of the summer and my family and I have had a blast, can't believe we waited this long. My question/problem when I turn the key it spins all the way around before starting. It is tight in the dash but I can reach under and hold it with two fingers and it will start normally. Am I missing something behind the switch or is it broken and need to be replaced. Thanks!!!!!!!!


Brad Piazza
1998 230 BR SS
7.4L BIII

 

[Lazy Daze]

Welcome aboard!

I'm not totally understanding what you're doing when you are holding something with "two fingers".

Is the whole switch spinning or just the key?

1) Try tightening the retaining nut on the back of the dash
2) That's all I got! My next step would be to R/R the switch. They're cheap - get 'em at any store.

If tightening the nut doesn't work, I'd venture a guess that the tumblers are worn.

Maybe someone else knows something else to try?

 

[Nehalennia]

The base is loose as Dennis stated. Make sure the nut is there and hasn't cracked. If the tumblers(in this case they're actually wafers) are worn, it stil won't spin all the way around. The switch isn't designed to do that. It will go from off to on to start then back to on, just like all ignition key switches.

Also, as Dennis says any West Marine or Marine store should have them.
Here's a pic. Ignore the top on, it's for outboard applications with electric choke.

 

[2catchfish]

Yes the whole switch is turning. There is just enough room for me to reach the switch with two fingers and I can hold it in place or keep it from spinnin as far before it engages. It does not spinn the retainer nut on the front side of the dash.

 

[Nehalennia]

Look for the nut on the back side of the dash. It just sounds like it's loose.

 

[cspann777]

Hey guys, I had a similar problem this weekend but the internal portion of the switch was spinning around ( I think someone muscled it too much and broke the inside guts). Has this every happened to anyone else? I ended up replacing with a Napa 4 post switch until the OEM comes in? Attached is a sample from our sandbar party, more to come later...

 

[everthing's irie]

Hey guys, I had a similar problem this weekend but the internal portion of the switch was spinning around ( I think someone muscled it too much and broke the inside guts). Has this every happened to anyone else? I ended up replacing with a Napa 4 post switch until the OEM comes in? Attached is a sample from our sandbar party, more to come later...

I don't see a picture?:huh:

 

[cspann777]

lemme try again...

 

[Ididntdoit]

did you have life jackets on board for everyone? lol:lol:

 

[cspann777]

Mostly stock PFD's but some had aftermarket upgrades...... :wow: