Author Topic: Diagnosing the 3.7L Ignition Issue. (Read 33863 times)

dorelse · « **Reply #60 on:** July 31, 2016, 08:52:10 PM »

now I'm wondering if I don't have the key switch wired incorrectly...loosened up the starter, reinstalled. Started up fine, but again, I can't shut it down. Starter was not hung up...so...how to test that?

I did notice that the second the battery is hooked up, the tach bounces 'on'...so I must have it (the key swtich) wired incorrectly?

Thoughts? Start it and start pulling wires out of the key switch until it shuts down?

I'll recheck my wiring tomorrow...something's wrong.

75starflight · « **Reply #61 on:** July 31, 2016, 08:55:20 PM »

Is your slave solenoid working properly? I would check to see if it's staying connected.

dorelse · « **Reply #62 on:** July 31, 2016, 09:12:41 PM »

Quote from: 75starflight on July 31, 2016, 08:55:20 PM

Is your slave solenoid working properly? I would check to see if it's staying connected.

Possible...as it did shut off just fine earlier today.

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #63 on:** July 31, 2016, 09:14:04 PM »

I've seen this happen before with a new starter that had a faulty solenoid where it was making a connection to the small start lug internally causing the starter to stay running. Replacing it again solved the problem. One way to test it is to remove the yellow wire from the starter and just jump it from large terminal to the small start terminal using a screwdriver. If the starter continues to run when you remove the screwdriver then the problem is in the starter. If the starter shuts down like it's supposed to when you pull the screwdriver away then the problem could be the slave solenoid not releasing when you disengage the key. Use a test light on your disconnected yellow wire and to engine ground. Turn the key to start and the test light should light up, when you release the key the light should go off. If it doesn't then your problem is in the slave solenoid.

dorelse · « **Reply #64 on:** July 31, 2016, 09:34:23 PM »

Good idea for the test light Rich...I'll start testing them tomorrow.

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #65 on:** August 02, 2016, 06:19:41 PM »

So any progress on the starter diagnosis?

Plugcheck · « **Reply #66 on:** August 02, 2016, 06:47:30 PM »

It is possible the starter is not shimmed proper. This can prevent the starter from disengaging. Use the test light to see if energy is removed from the solenoid coil. Easier way is pull power off the coil so it won't start, and turn it over several times. It doesn't take too much time for the engine to destroy a starter that won't disengage.

dorelse · « **Reply #67 on:** August 02, 2016, 06:55:35 PM »

Quote from: Rich_V174SS on August 02, 2016, 06:19:41 PM

So any progress on the starter diagnosis?

I'm hoping to get to it tonight. I have family coming tomorrow, so the 'honey do' list it growing rapidly.

Luckily, part of the next few days involves boating, boating, and more...boating. Hoping that the recent rains don't close the lakes to ski boats ("no wake speeds").

dorelse · « **Reply #68 on:** August 20, 2016, 07:21:26 PM »

Ok, pulled the pulley off the 3.7 today. A little post-meet motivation setting in...

Watched some volleyball:

Pulled off the main pulley to find lots more chewed up magnet material:

More magnets:

Stator Removed:

All Cleaned up!

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #69 on:** August 20, 2016, 08:19:38 PM »

Same here. Stator was the first thing to go on my engine when I first put it in my boat. But my magnets were intact.

dorelse · « **Reply #70 on:** August 20, 2016, 09:54:34 PM »

Ok, hooked the battery back up, key off, yellow/red wire to starter disconnected.

Using the test light, the yellow/red wire has power all the time...so the starter would be engaging all the time.

Also, the slave solenoid on the block as power at the big terminals on the side and to the purple/yellow wire as well.

That can't be right, right?

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #71 on:** August 20, 2016, 10:00:43 PM »

Sounds to me like the slave solenoid is stuck closed. When the key is off there should only be power to the red/purple wire of the slave, the large yellow/red that goes from there to the starter should not be energized until you turn the key to start. Check to make sure you have no power at the thin yellow/red when the key is off, power there would cause the solenoid to close.

dorelse · « **Reply #72 on:** August 20, 2016, 10:02:15 PM »

Checking...

dorelse · « **Reply #73 on:** August 20, 2016, 10:10:52 PM »

That solenoid has power to everything but the little yellow/red wire whether the key is off or on...no different. So the starter is always 'on'...

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #74 on:** August 20, 2016, 10:14:37 PM »

Hit the solenoid with something to see if it gets unstuck, then check for power at the connections again. Also try disconnecting and reconnecting the battery and listen for clicking of the solenoid.

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #75 on:** August 20, 2016, 10:25:52 PM »

Also, if the solenoid is stuck then the ignition coil is receiving power through the purple/yellow wire so make sure it's not getting baked.

dorelse · « **Reply #76 on:** August 20, 2016, 10:30:41 PM »

Yep, solenoid is sticking...if I give it a couple of whacks it releases and 'opens'...turn the key to start, it clicks closed and stays connected.

I'll order a new one...thanks Rich! (I think the purple wire is ok...)

dorelse · « **Reply #77 on:** August 22, 2016, 10:54:46 AM »

New part ordered...will be here tomorrow.

dorelse · « **Reply #78 on:** August 24, 2016, 08:43:31 AM »

New solenoid installed, seems to have fixed the issue...starter only gets power when key switch goes to 'Start' now.

Hoping to get this running again in the next couple of days.

Plugcheck · « **Reply #79 on:** August 24, 2016, 08:53:07 AM »

Just to understand, having not worked on the 3.7, but they do not normally have an alternator, but rather a stator system like an OB? Secondly of curiosity would be the appearance of the crank trigger, or what looks like one. What is its function, since I thought we were dealing with a points ignition. Glad to hear your electrical stuff is getting sorted out, will you have this in Barfly this year?