Ignition Circuit

[dadstinny]

Hi all, I have an older suzuki and on doing a compression test I think we blew the ignition circuit.

She cranked over a few times then stopped, now when you turn the key you get nothing just a few little clicks and nothing else.

Electric Tilt / Trim works and so does all other electronics just no kick.

Was considering it was the starter but its not even engaging.

Where should I start looking on the ignition circuit?

Thanks!

[hakuna]

Between the ignition key and the motor there will be a fuse, that's the one you have to find, if wired properly it will be just behind the ignition key, if not near the motor

Cheers

[dadstinny]

Thanks for that, failing the fuse being the culprit as I suspect there is no fuse (could be wrong) but looking the motor over there is not much usage of fuses.

I guess the next steps is to measure the voltage at either side of the solenoid and starter and check where the drop is to see if we blew the solenoid or possibly have an over arching starter issue?

By not disconnecting the ignition circuit are they the likely culprits or could it be something else?

Thanks again!

[Fed]

If the solenoid is clicking then you haven't blown the fuse.

I guess the next steps is to measure the voltage at either side of the solenoid and starter and check where the drop is

You're on it Dad.

[Roughasguts]

Dirty contacts on your ignition switch when you turn it to start!!!!!

Ofcourse provided the battery is good and all other contacts are clean and tight.


what model year old Suzuki???

Cheers.

[dadstinny]

Cheers all, up till know I have not heard the solenoid tick. It was reported by the helper as I turned the key there was clicks but I didn't personally hear it as I was turning the key.

Battery is ok, but I think I will check everything in this order

1) Turn key listen for clicks
2) If no clicks check for fuse from wiring from the switch back to the motor

If no joy -

1) Measure each side of solenoid
2) Measure starter motor
3) Look at figures

I don't think its battery or contacts as it was starting fine prior to the compression test. When doing the compression test the starter was engaging but seemed to be a bit light on if that makes sense. Then it stopped, so we put plugs back in and reconnected and then just nothing, we tapped the starter a few times and it gave us a few more kicks but then its just stopped. It was starting fine when we purchased it on the weekend so I am guessing we either shorted a fuse but I have doubts there is even one in this motor but will double check. Failing that I am guessing we blew the solenoid and or burnt out the starter motor in the process of doing the compression test without disconnecting the ignition circuit.

Are there any other components I can look at? Going to do this all this afternoon but guess it depends a great deal on the motor age. I am Not sure on age its a suzuki 60hp twin cylinder, its older model which is a greeny colour casing if that helps. Will grab the model number of it and see I can determine age.

[Fed]

If you have no clicks the fuse should be under the motor cowl, it's there to protect the wiring running up to & back from the controller.

[Noelm]

just because it was working before, does not mean it does not have a dirty battery connection now, almost everything is " OK before it broke" as with all trouble shooting, do the very simple stuff first, remove and clean the battery terminals, test the battery, measure the voltage at the solenoid (as mentioned) do not start by pulling things into a million bits.

[Fed]

I completely agree with using a multimeter Noel, I only mentioned the fuse location in case he started pulling his controller apart looking for it.

[dadstinny]

Totally agree, nothing will be ripped into a million bits

Just will clean all the contacts, then multimeter everything looking for the problem and will post back the numbers.

[Fed]

Use the multimeter first to find the fault, if you do the clean up first you may never know where the problem was and that's frustrating.

[dadstinny]

Hi all, figures as follows from the multimeter test.

The solenoid clicks once for every turn, it doesn't click repeatedly. So if you turn key to run you get one click of the solenoid and if you are holding the key you get no more clicks. To get a click you have to turn back the key to the off position and then back to the run position

1) Battery reading = 12.1v
2) Positive battery terminal on solenoid = 12.1v
3) Little terminal on solenoid (from ignition circuit) = 10.8
4) Starter motor side of solenoid = 11.9v
5) Starter motor positive = 11.9

So I am guessing foobarred starter motor?

There is a black wire going down at the base of the solenoid but I couldn't get the meter on that. I am guessing this is negative?

[dadstinny]

Can anyone ID this motor year or model number?

Its a suzuki 60hp with a green colour cowl and body.

motor.jpg

[Fed]

So you're putting the positive lead from the multimeter onto the positive terminal of the starter motor right?

Where are you putting the negative lead of the multimeter?

Your 'clicks' are wrong, are you sure you don't mean the 'start' position instead of the 'run position?

I can't help with model ID, does it have a nameplate somewhere?

[dadstinny]

Hey Fed....

Yes you are right its the start position as it not running yet!!

I tried a few different locations for the negative lead of the multimeter with the same readings as follows, one direct to the battery negative, the block itself and another ground point all providing the same readings.

Positive terminal of the multimeter connected to the positive terminal of the starter motor reads 11.9v.

Do you think its the starter???

I am thinking its the starter as clicks aside the solenoid is delivering voltage to the starter motor. It is dropping from 12.1 from the battery side of the solenoid to 11.9 at the starter motor but I wouldn't think .2v drop would cause it to not start at all????

I am not electrician but I would assume so.....