Starter Relay 1990 Sport Question

[EchoLodge]

Just want to make sure.... Starter decided to stay on today. I took off the yellow exciter wire and the starter stayed engaged. It is late so I did not get to check if the starter exciter wire stays hot. I did take off the wire from the ignition so I assume my starter relay is stuck on. It is 20 years old with 1200 hours on it so I guess it is probably done and needs to be replaced. Anything else I should check?

http://skidim.com/products.asp?dept=1030

From skidim....

STARTER RELAY
* CAUTION * Test starter after installation.
If starter stays engaged, it is an indication of a low amperage problem. Check both ends of the battery cables and main grounds.

[EchoLodge]

Forgot to mention.... I did disconnect the wire that runs from the relay to the starter and I was able to start the boat w/o the starter staying engaged.

[EchoLodge]

Fixed with a new starter relay!

[Rick]

I'm impressed. A sel fanswering thread. I thought i would hop on to make it look less one responder. I'm glad the new relay fixed it.

[WakeSlayer]

I was thinking the same thing. Nice job.

[EchoLodge]

Its ok guys.... I like talking to myself! :grin:

[EchoLodge]

I have sold the boat to a buddy but still ski behind her all the time. Starter relay is sticking again. We replaced it today but ran into an issue. The new relay was installed but did not work. The original was wired without a separate ground to the relay. The new relay was wired the same way. Apparently the new relay needs to be grounded. The boat is on a lift in a marina and I did not have any wire to make a ground. Apparently the original grounds off the frame is my guess.

[mnwild2]

I replaced my starter relay solenoid on my boat this summer, posted the symptoms on PN and they figured out the problem.

http://www.nautiqueparts.com/solenoidstarterrelay.aspx

[EchoLodge]

I replaced my starter relay solenoid on my boat this summer, posted the symptoms on PN and they figured out the problem.

http://www.nautiqueparts.com/solenoidstarterrelay.aspx

Does your relay run a separate ground wire? Big posts are the + from battery to the starter... Small post is yellow with red wire (switched +) and the second small post should be ground??? I did not buy this relay from Skidim or nautiqueparts but rather a shop near where the boat lives. Just curious if your is grounded.

[jllogan]

the quality of the solenoid is important, I would buy the correct one from nautiqueparts or another dealer as often the cheaper parts at local stores are just not as good. Does your have a ballast resistor above it? It would be ground to the engine, somewhere, they make 3 posts and 4 posts. The 3 posts are self grounding through the base of the solenoid. Double check all of your connections are clean and tight, this includes battery wire, they may need replaced.

The original wires are a little thin. I went with new wires on mine. Corroded wires and bad connections result in low voltage, low volts equals high amps which will weld the contacts in the solenoid/relay. Get out the volt meter and make sure you are getting a strong twelve volts from the battery and from the key, start wire. Also if it sticks a whap with a hammer will sometimes break it loose, this is a temporary solution.

[EchoLodge]

the quality of the solenoid is important, I would buy the correct one from nautiqueparts or another dealer as often the cheaper parts at local stores are just not as good. Does your have a ballast resistor above it? It would be ground to the engine, somewhere, they make 3 posts and 4 posts. The 3 posts are self grounding through the base of the solenoid. Double check all of your connections are clean and tight, this includes battery wire, they may need replaced.

The original wires are a little thin. I went with new wires on mine. Corroded wires and bad connections result in low voltage, low volts equals high amps which will weld the contacts in the solenoid/relay. Get out the volt meter and make sure you are getting a strong twelve volts from the battery and from the key, start wire. Also if it sticks a whap with a hammer will sometimes break it loose, this is a temporary solution.

That is what is odd. The one I attempted to replace was a 4 post. It was still working (using the hammer tap) even though it did not have a wire on the 4th post. The boats 1st replacement was bought at Dangling Rope Marina at Powell... The second one at a Marine Parts place near where the boat lives. My guess is they are all made in China. I have been told as the starter ages (boat is 90s with 1400 hours) it draws more amps and is harder on the relay. All the wires are clean and in good shape. I will be taking apart the old relay when I replace it to see what is going on. Thanks for your input.

Sent via Android!

[EchoLodge]

http://correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24588&PID=311908#311908

Problem solved.... Probably killed the relay running deep cycle batteries...