Glitchy ignition switch - Help

[Billtex2000]

So, my starboard ignition switch won't start my motor on the first turn. When I turn the key to the "run" position I get the tone for the depth finder, but when I turn it further to "start" I get nothing! I then need to turn the key back to "off" and repeat the sequence to get the motor to start. Anyone ever experience this or have any suggestions?
I really don't want to go for $200 for a new switch pack.

 

[Gym]

I would try swapping switches to make sure it's the switch and not the solenoid or starter motor.

 

[Beachbummer]

Do you hear a click when you set it to start at all?

 

[Jimmycha]

My port does the same. I move the switches and the same thing happens. Try that first to eliminate switch.

 

[Billtex2000]

No click....no sound from the motor or switch.

 

[Beachbummer]

If you have multi-meter with the boat off you could diagnose the switch to verify it's working. This is much easier than opening the computer to check on the relay 100%, so do this if you can. I don't have the wiring diagram in front of me, but in essence with the power off, check the continuity between terminals while the switch is on the Start position (All the way to the right) until you find which cables/terminals are connected, and then make sure they disconnect when you release the key. Verify a few times to make sure the switch is consistent. It may be easier to switch them from side to side. If that does not fix it, my humble uneducated guess is that your relay is failing. The relay makes an audible click sound when powered, but could click and still not provide a full solid connection between the 2 wires. No Click at all..either no power to solenoid, or solenoid is failing.

The next step from there is to check inside the ECU for power to the solenoid and how the solenoid is working...

Here is another easy test that does not tell you what is your problem, but let's you start the boat if the problem is the switch or solenoid, in case the solenoid or switch gives up on you 100%. With the battery switch off.. The ECU in the engine area has a small cover with 4 screws keeping the cover on. If you take the 4 screws off and force the cable wrap down, you will see 2 nuts..this is the solenoid and the positive cables that go to the battery and to the starter. With the battery back on, but aware there is 12v in one of the exposed wires... If you bridge these, (With screw driver or thick wire) the starter will spin for sure if the issue is the solenoid or switch.

If the starter does not spin when you bridge these, the problem is not the switch or the relay, but either starter, or the big wire to and from the battery to the ECU and then the starter.

The key switches rarely fail, from reading the board here for a while I have not heard of one actually failing, but I could be wrong. Solenoids are known to fail eventually. I just recently replaced one of mine, similar symptoms to yours, but I did get a click when I tried, so it was easy to know it was not the switch. My guess is solenoid right now, but could be switch too. swapping or testing will tell you for sure.

 

[Scottintexas]

are you sure the whole switch isn't rotating with the key, my locking nut on top of the switch cracked and when I would get to the resistance of the "start" position the entire assembly would rotate, it took me a while to actually see it happening,

 

[Billtex2000]

Good point @Scottintexas! That is a definite possibility. I'm more equipped to check that or swap the switches than to check continuity and solenoids. Thanks @Beachbummer, but I'm not very handy with electrical situations doubt that I could even find the ECU on my boat. I'm in an '06 (not battery switch believe it or not) and would leave something that in-depth to my mechanic. I'll check the switch when I'm back at the boat next week. The fact that it does it the first time of every attempt to start is odd. Maybe the switch (if loose) is rotating to the right like you suggest @Scottintexas after starting, and me turning it back to the left "Re-sets" the switch so it makes contact. Hopefully it's only that. Will keep you posted.

 

[the MfM]

Could be the starter... low tech (not necessarily the safest) way to check is next time turn the key to start and keep it there for 10-15 seconds if the engine doesn’t turn over... Then check the big red wire going to the starter if it got really warm (or melted ) then It’s likely the starter.

 

[Billtex2000]

That I can check! Thanks @the MfM !

 

[Beachbummer]

If you can get some help, have the helper turn it on and listen at the ECU box (Black expensive box with all the wire harnesses coming out of it, inside engine compartment) It should make a loud CLICK when the switch is engaged.

 

[Billtex2000]

If no click, then the solenoid is failing?

 

[Beachbummer]

If you have also swapped the switch... Yes, then if no click, solenoid is failing. Otherwise it's the switch, if the issue follows it when you swap it.

The click is not super loud, but in silence it absolutely can be heard... Like closing a cabinet door with the magnetic latch...

 

[Billtex2000]

So I was on the boat yesterday and today...probably started the engines 7 times in the two days. Problem never occurred. Will see what happens. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Gym]

So I was on the boat yesterday and today...probably started the engines 7 times in the two days. Problem never occurred. Will see what happens. Thanks for the advice!

Those gremlins are tricky. They know when the jetboaters.net collective is watching.

 

[Beachbummer]

On mine it continued to get progressively worse until I had try to restart many times before it fired. I thought it was battery, and one battery had indeed failed, so that set me back another week of troubleshooting.

Once i replaced the solenoid the issue went away. I think it was happening sporadically for years and I thought it was battery related.

If it's the solenoid and it lets you stranded, y you can jump it via the little window....

This was a long way to tell you to enjoy the boat and don't worry about it too much. The problem will reveal itself soon enough.