Solenoid on 73 - Holman Moody

Hello,

I am newbie to this site but have a question for the experts. My starter won't kick in some of the time - I just replaced the nuetral safety switch and it is still sporadic. I put a test light on the solenoid coil and it glows dim with the key on, but then glows bright with the key in "start" but the starter motor doesn't turn over. Seems like a classic solenoid problem to me but the glowing dim threw me for a loop. Any thoughts? Anybody know where I can get a schematic for a 302 Holman-Moody equipped? Thanks for your help!

M.

Thanks Jeff -

What is the purpose of the ignition ballast resistor? I would like to find an original schematic so I can get to the bottom of some of these problems. I will have try isolating a couple of wires and see if I can get to the bottom of it.

M.

My personal opinion is to troubleshoot the actual problem. If the solenoid is infact failed, then great! But if it isnt, and keep replacing things, it may never cure the problem. Electrical wiring/relays are straight foreward to troubleshoot unlike some other things. In order for solenoid to glow a test light at the +coil lead is almost impossible from an internal short. The solenoid is nothing but a ton of wire wrapped among a metal core with a strip of copper for the contacts. The coil and contacts are quite a distance apart from one another and have no connection to one another.

The purpose of the ballast resistor on the ign system is so that your ign coil doesnt cook if the key is left on with the points closed or running the engine at very low rpm. The reason for me to suspect a wiring problem is the fact that some engines bypass the resistor during cranking for a hotter spark and possibly backfeeding. Most definately a schematic makes life alot easier for some stuff.

JIH -

I just got the boat last September and it happened then a little bit and now again this spring. Nothing was done to the electrical system prior to me putting a new nuetral safety switch in. We used it pretty heavy this past weekend and it would work fine about 85% of the time. I have a hunch it is still the nuetral safety switch because when it did act up and I put way into reverse and back to neutral it started. Coincidence? Is it possible that whatever touches on the NSS is worn down so I am not getting a solid contact there?

What effect would you get if it had been washed and got wet?

M,
the NSS is very sensitive to cable adjustment and slop due to worn control components, like the brass barrel ends.

Notice that the position of the tranny gear selector is slightly different whether you approach nuetral from reverse or forward. As things get sloppy that difference is exagerated. The tranny has a detent at nuetral that must be maintained with your adjustment of the cable.