www.iFourWinns.com

Hey guys! I think this is a common problem, I turn the key- nothing happens. I jump the starter terminal with a screw driver and she fires up. It's happened in a couple of friend's boats and a couple times to mine, including today. What is going on? Is it a solenoid? is it a relay?

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wakeskate and wakeboard with no boat?!-
http://www.phoenixwinch.com

1994 Freedom 170
OMC Cobra (by Volvo Penta) 3.0L

First off, I would recommend NOT jumping the starter terminal with a screw driver in a boat. Spark + gas fumes = BOOM.

Could be solenoid, or relay like you said. Also could be ignition switch, ground prob, or breaker (big red button).

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

I would start under the dash at the ignition switch and make sure there is no corrosion issues under there. Normally you will at least get a click from the solenoid when it is bad. Sounds like your not even getting that click which indicates a bad connection somewhere.

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The Dance II
2007 278 Vista
6.2L Mercruiser

These problems are often caused by corrosion at terminals and resistance in long wiring runs. You have a solenoid on the starter but because of the distance of the ignition switch to the starter, there is an additional 'assist' solenoid between the ignition switch and the starter. You have to post up what engine you have and find a wiring diagram for the starter system. Then go back and check voltage at each point.
For a start, if you are using wingnuts on the battery terminals get rid of them and bolt on a set of marine quality automotive style battery clamps. Then find and clean the battery ground on the engine bell housing.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

thanks for the replies and tips, and I will add the specs to my signature line for future reference

OMC Cobra by Volvo Penta
Model 302CCPMDA

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wakeskate and wakeboard with no boat?!-
http://www.phoenixwinch.com

1994 Freedom 170
OMC Cobra (by Volvo Penta) 3.0L

Take a look at this....it explains it better than I could by typing...

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engine-r ... ing-system

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Thank you for the link Lou, here is a quote from that thread BTW: "But if you are out on the water and the relay fails, what can you do? Simple. Use a test lead on the slave solenoid socket to jump between terminals A and B and the engine will crank. Make sure the ignition switch is in the run position and the engine will start."

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wakeskate and wakeboard with no boat?!-
http://www.phoenixwinch.com

1994 Freedom 170
OMC Cobra (by Volvo Penta) 3.0L

Yep that will work, just be careful.
Back in the old days (mid '70s) I had a '65 VW Beetle. These things had a 6 volt system and were prone to high resistance in the starter circuit. They probably should have had an assist solenoid because unlike most cars, the ignition switch was up front and the starter and battery were in the rear. Just like a boat.
Anyway what I used to do when the starter was not getting enough current to energize the solenoid was this:
carry a 3/8 ths drive long handle ratchet wrench, extension and spark plug socket.
I'd turn the ignition on, go to the rear of the car, put the socket on the generator pulley nut, and crank the engine over like a lawn mower (low compression so you could do it, 1200 cc 40 hp). Yes it worked every time and people at college used to think it was like magic. Can't do that with a Chevy small block lol.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II