bad start switch? start with the cheap solution first

 

Will do.....

 

Neutral start switch

 

will check.....interesting that would be intermittent...I usually push switch 8 to 10 times, slowly and then suddenly it goes...

 

Is this happening with both motors ?

 

No, port is fine.....

 

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

 

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

Just installed one on the engine, thinking that was the issue.....lo love...replacing dash switch Thursday......Thanks

 

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 !!

 

Slave solenoid..

 

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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

When you put the start button in the first position, do you hear the alarm and fuel pump?

 

yes...all seems normal.....just no crank..

 

Ok here we go..got to marina and switched port switch Carling VMDJ (good) for starboard switch, (suspect bad). Bingo....switch worked. Replaced with a VMDA that was available. Now fixed. Down side is the new switch light is reversed and not green to match the rest. Will be looking for a VMDJ now. Thanks for all the troubleshooting suggestions. They were all excellent. Neutral switch, of course grounds.....checked them all. Thanks again as now I am back on the lake!

BTW I had replaced the solonoid and apparently it's good....put in the emergency spares box .

 

When pressing rocker start switch on our 2004 320 signal sounds, fuel pump runs, then when pressing to start does not start till about 10 tries. Any suggestions on where to begin?

 

It is not the starter switch, it is the slave solenoid. This is a common failure with Mercruisers.

This may or may not be your exact part number, so look it up.

https://www.amazon.com/STARTER-SLAVE-SOLENOID-GLM-Number/dp/B004AR1F4E

 

Thanks for the info. We'll give it a shot.

 

+1 for the switch, although over the years sometimes it was the solenoid. I carry both spares. Don't overlook the wires and their connectors behind the switch too. It's all about having enough current to pull in the solenoid contacts, or having enough current to overcome a sticking contact. Two problems, same effect.