305 OMC Cobra - broken starter solenoid?
 

Greetings,

My Cobra engine won't start. Absolutely nothing happens when I turn the
ignition key - no click from the solenoid, and obviously the starter
doesn't crank. The battery is OK. Does this indicate that the solenoid
is shot?

I guess it theoretically could be the ignition switch but the
instruments come to life so I don't think that's it. What's the easiest
way to diagnose the solenoid?

thanks ahead,

/POL

Greetings,
=A0
My Cobra engine won't start. Absolutely nothing happens when I turn the
ignition key - no click from the solenoid, and obviously the starter
doesn't crank. The battery is OK. Does this indicate that the solenoid
is shot?
=A0
I guess it theoretically could be the ignition switch but the
instruments come to life so I don't think that's it. What's the easiest
way to diagnose the solenoid?
=A0
thanks ahead,
=A0
/POL
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3 D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
I think you'll find that your problem is either in that 8 point plug or
the 50 AMP fuse. Most likely its in the 8 pin cluster. I had this
problem and the way I fixed it was to open the 8 point plug and use some
very fine sand paper (crocus cloth) and clean the male contacts. Roll
up the paper and clean inside female contacts, too. There are 2 - 50
AMP fuses, check both to make sure they are OK. I had one lose its
continuity. A simple volt meter can check this out.

Hope this helps, Norm

Ford or Chevy motor. On the Ford, you can jumper the two big studs to get
the engine to start, bypassing the solenoid. Check with a voltmeter if
there is voltage to the big input lug, and then when the key is turned there
should be voltage at the start wire contact. My boat has a fuse in the
starter line from the ignition switch (purple wire is standard). On a
chevy, check the same things. By passing the solenoid on the Chevy only
spins the motor the solenoid engages the starter gear.
Bill

"Per-Olof Litby - Practice Mgr - Software, Central/North Europe - Sun
Microsystems" wrote in message
...
Greetings,

My Cobra engine won't start. Absolutely nothing happens when I turn the
ignition key - no click from the solenoid, and obviously the starter doesn't
crank. The battery is OK. Does this indicate that the solenoid is shot?

I guess it theoretically could be the ignition switch but the instruments
come to life so I don't think that's it. What's the easiest way to diagnose
the solenoid?

thanks ahead,

/POL

Ford or Chevy motor. On the Ford, you can jumper the two big studs to
get the engine to start, bypassing the solenoid. Check with a voltmeter
if there is voltage to the big input lug, and then when the key is
turned there should be voltage at the start wire contact. My boat has a
fuse in the starter line from the ignition switch (purple wire is
standard). On a chevy, check the same things. By passing the solenoid on
the Chevy only spins the motor the solenoid engages the starter gear.
Bill
"Per-Olof Litby - Practice Mgr - Software, Central/North Europe - Sun
Microsystems" wrote in message
... Greetings,
My Cobra engine won't start. Absolutely nothing happens when I turn the
ignition key - no click from the solenoid, and obviously the starter
doesn't crank. The battery is OK. Does this indicate that the solenoid
is shot?
I guess it theoretically could be the ignition switch but the
instruments come to life so I don't think that's it. What's the easiest
way to diagnose the solenoid?
thanks ahead,
/POL

=================================
If its a 305, it is a Chevy, OMC used Fords for the 351 engine.

"N.L. Eckert" wrote in message
...
Ford or Chevy motor. On the Ford, you can jumper the two big studs to
get the engine to start, bypassing the solenoid. Check with a voltmeter
if there is voltage to the big input lug, and then when the key is
turned there should be voltage at the start wire contact. My boat has a
fuse in the starter line from the ignition switch (purple wire is
standard). On a chevy, check the same things. By passing the solenoid on
the Chevy only spins the motor the solenoid engages the starter gear.
Bill
"Per-Olof Litby - Practice Mgr - Software, Central/North Europe - Sun
Microsystems" wrote in message
... Greetings,
My Cobra engine won't start. Absolutely nothing happens when I turn the
ignition key - no click from the solenoid, and obviously the starter
doesn't crank. The battery is OK. Does this indicate that the solenoid
is shot?
I guess it theoretically could be the ignition switch but the
instruments come to life so I don't think that's it. What's the easiest
way to diagnose the solenoid?
thanks ahead,
/POL

=================================
If its a 305, it is a Chevy, OMC used Fords for the 351 engine.


They also used 5L 302 fords.

Calif Bill wrote:
"N.L. Eckert" wrote in message
...

Ford or Chevy motor. On the Ford, you can jumper the two big studs to
get the engine to start, bypassing the solenoid. Check with a voltmeter
if there is voltage to the big input lug, and then when the key is
turned there should be voltage at the start wire contact. My boat has a
fuse in the starter line from the ignition switch (purple wire is
standard). On a chevy, check the same things. By passing the solenoid on
the Chevy only spins the motor the solenoid engages the starter gear.
Bill
"Per-Olof Litby - Practice Mgr - Software, Central/North Europe - Sun
Microsystems" wrote in message
... Greetings,
My Cobra engine won't start. Absolutely nothing happens when I turn the
ignition key - no click from the solenoid, and obviously the starter
doesn't crank. The battery is OK. Does this indicate that the solenoid
is shot?
I guess it theoretically could be the ignition switch but the
instruments come to life so I don't think that's it. What's the easiest
way to diagnose the solenoid?
thanks ahead,
/POL

=================================
If its a 305, it is a Chevy, OMC used Fords for the 351 engine.



They also used 5L 302 fords.


Do boats have fusable links like cars do? A corroded or broken or blown
fusable link will make a car dead like a doornail.

Do not overlook the simple things such as the neutral safety switch inside the control box or a disconnected yellow/red wire on the key switch. I am assuming that the gauges power up with the key to ON and that the trim works OK.

Bill Grannis
service manager
"Per-Olof Litby - Practice Mgr - Software, Central/North Europe - Sun Microsystems" wrote in message ...
Greetings,

My Cobra engine won't start. Absolutely nothing happens when I turn the ignition key - no click from the solenoid, and obviously the starter doesn't crank. The battery is OK. Does this indicate that the solenoid is shot?

I guess it theoretically could be the ignition switch but the instruments come to life so I don't think that's it. What's the easiest way to diagnose the solenoid?

thanks ahead,

/POL

Might be the neutral safety interlock. The engine won't crank if it doesn't
think the gearshift is in neutral. See if the yellow/red wire on the
solenoid has 12V when you turn the key to start.
JIMinFL
"Per-Olof Litby - Practice Mgr - Software, Central/North Europe - Sun
Microsystems" wrote in message
...
Greetings,

My Cobra engine won't start. Absolutely nothing happens when I turn the
ignition key - no click from the solenoid, and obviously the starter
doesn't crank. The battery is OK. Does this indicate that the solenoid
is shot?

I guess it theoretically could be the ignition switch but the
instruments come to life so I don't think that's it. What's the easiest
way to diagnose the solenoid?

thanks ahead,

/POL

Per-Olof Litby wrote:"...won't start. Absolutely nothing happens when I turn
the
ignition key - no click from the solenoid, and obviously the starter doesn't
crank. The battery is OK. Does this indicate that the solenoid is shot?
I guess it theoretically could be the ignition switch but the instruments come
to life ...."

Check the battery connections (as in remove and clean and reinstall with
corrosion inhibitor) at the battery and at the starter and engine block ground.
It's common with a bad (loose,corroded,etc) battery connection for the
instruments etc to work (very low amp. draw) but the engine won't even try to
start (very high amp draw). With the lights or whatever on, do they do dim/go
out when you turn the key to start? Could be a bad cell in the battery also.
Get a volt/ohm meter and do some basic checks before you start throwing money
at it!
Best of luck
Mike

Calif Bile would know all about jumping two big studs...
JR
Calif Bill wrote:
Ford or Chevy motor. On the Ford, you can jumper the two big studs to get
the engine to start, bypassing the solenoid. Check with a voltmeter if
there is voltage to the big input lug, and then when the key is turned there
should be voltage at the start wire contact. My boat has a fuse in the
starter line from the ignition switch (purple wire is standard). On a
chevy, check the same things. By passing the solenoid on the Chevy only
spins the motor the solenoid engages the starter gear.
Bill

"Per-Olof Litby - Practice Mgr - Software, Central/North Europe - Sun
Microsystems" wrote in message
...
Greetings,

My Cobra engine won't start. Absolutely nothing happens when I turn the
ignition key - no click from the solenoid, and obviously the starter doesn't
crank. The battery is OK. Does this indicate that the solenoid is shot?

I guess it theoretically could be the ignition switch but the instruments
come to life so I don't think that's it. What's the easiest way to diagnose
the solenoid?

thanks ahead,

/POL












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