150 Speedster won't start with "start button".

[Barely a Wake]

Hey guys/gals.

I have a 150 Speedster, ahhh...2011, I think. Naturally aspirated. I live in Florida and I usually have to garage her sometime in October, not to be taken out until late March/early April. Anyway, it's 85 degrees today and supposed to hit 85 tomorrow. So, I figured that I would take the ol' girl out for a cruise.
Well, I go to start her up and I get the double beep, but when I press the start button, I can hear the fuel pump kick on, but no other noise. No clicking of the starter...nothing. If I bypass the starter relay with a screwdriver, she starts right up.

So, I check all the fuses and reseat every switch that I can reach. Still no go. Is it possible for a starter relay at go completely bad just sitting in a garage? Could it be the computer?

I'd hate to take it to the dealer for something that could be a 20 minute fix.

 

[Coastiejoe]

They fail often.

To confirm, see if you get 12 volts at the small wire (yellow I think) at the solenoid when you press the start button.

If you do, solenoid is bad. If you don't. It is not the solenoid.

 

[Barely a Wake]

Hmmm...there's a plug with two wires that goes into the solenoid. One is always hot (+) with the "key" in. That wire comes straight from the fuse box. The other wire goes into a big bundle of wires, to god knows where. I'm assuming that the start switch grounds the other wire causing current to flow through the solenoid's electro-magnet.
Strangely enough, the console flashes "check engine" with the plug out of the solenoid and the "key" in. I may try to check the voltage across the plug's wires. I guess I could use pins through the wires and then liquid tape them afterwards.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Boats may be set up differently then skis. But I didn't think so.

Let me look up the wire schematics and see what it shows.
[MENTION=16022]Dr Honda[/MENTION] will know off the top of his head.

 

[Barely a Wake]

Thanks. Yeah, I tried looking up the wiring schematics, but they are all just generic views like this. The normal microfiche for ordering parts. I don't know if something like an electronic circuit diagram is available to the public. I'm going to go check the voltage across the wires that go into the starter solenoid now. I'm thinking very close to zero when the button is not pressed and the battery voltage when pressed (minus the loss across the electromagnet). How the computer monitors whether the plug is plugged into the solenoid or the electromagnet is shorted or open is above my paygrade at this point.

I'd be cheaper to take it into the shop at the rate I am going, but I love problem solving. haha. Besides, I'm sure the service dept is down until the new year.

 

[Barely a Wake]

Okay, interesting turn of events...I stuck a pin through the wire (not the hot one that comes out of the fuse, the gray w/yellow stripe) that comes out of the plug that goes into the starter solenoid, then I put the "key" in, next I ground the pin. Guess what? The starter relay goes "CLICK" and the engine starts!
The problem is, now, I don't have any idea where that wire goes. It heads into a big bundle and then off to destinations unknown.

Looks like it's shop time after New Years. *sigh* So close...

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Hi, besides getting help from members of the forum it may be helpful if you put your city/state or country in your profile, as a member may live close to you and can help you quicker

 

[Coastiejoe]

From the manual...

Verify fuse #12 (refer to Starter relay open wires, damaged WIRING DIAGRAM).
circuit or shorted to connector or damaged Check for 12 volts on pin A of
ground. ECM output pins. the starter relay connector.

No ground provided by ECM for starter solenoid
- Test ECM grounds.

How about the neutral safety switch? Are you sure the throttle lever is in the correct position?

 

[Barely a Wake]

How about the neutral safety switch? Are you sure the throttle lever is in the correct position?

OMG! :facepalm:

Coastiejoe, I could kiss you! LOL As soon as I read that I ran out into the garage. Lo and behold, it was in forward.

Today, I had my daughter hanging upside down like a vampire while holding a flashlight, helping me trace wires all through the engine compartment!

I feel like a complete moron, but I'm relieved at the same time. Dude, I owe you a few cold ones. :cheers:

 

[Barely a Wake]

Hi, besides getting help from members of the forum it may be helpful if you put your city/state or country in your profile, as a member may live close to you and can help you quicker

Thanks. I've updated it.

 

[Coastiejoe]

OMG! :facepalm:

Coastiejoe, I could kiss you! LOL As soon as I read that I ran out into the garage. Lo and behold, it was in forward.

Today, I had my daughter hanging upside down like a vampire while holding a flashlight, helping me trace wires all through the engine compartment!

I feel like a complete moron, but I'm relieved at the same time. Dude, I owe you a few cold ones. :cheers:

We have all done less than intelligent things in our past. I'm glad it was something that we caught before you took it to the shop.

You are welcome and have a good Night.

 

[cheappc]

OMG! :facepalm:

Coastiejoe, I could kiss you! LOL As soon as I read that I ran out into the garage. Lo and behold, it was in forward.

Today, I had my daughter hanging upside down like a vampire while holding a flashlight, helping me trace wires all through the engine compartment!

I feel like a complete moron, but I'm relieved at the same time. Dude, I owe you a few cold ones. :cheers:

How sad I didn't get to you in time, I don't think they fail often, with all the bad luck I had in my 95 sportster (hence it was usually my fault), the first time I took my speedster out, me and my girlfriend beached it, and then pushed the boat out, and it wouldn't start now in the middle of the water, I started freaking out, I would get a long beep, I said to myself "is this for real" then I panicked and thankfully I had my manual in the boat...

Read somewhere "make sure my dess key is tightly fitted and snugged" voila!!! It was my key.., next time it was my neutral switch (your problem) and guess what was my problem 99% of the time??? BATTERY related!! Yup, did you set the battery switch to off when stored for long? Was my battery FULLY charged, no not a little charge, somewhat charged, COMPLETELY FULLY CHARGED and good... Unbelievable how my problems usually where one of these!!

 

[pwgsx]

That has happened twice to me, once on my bosses boat, I stop to get gas and didn't put it in N and was going crazy trying to start it, dreading calling him. The second time my wife was driving our boat and she didn't put it back in N all the way and we were way out on the water and it wouldn't start. My arm tapped the lever on accident 15 mins later and I heard it click and then the light went off in my head, THAT DAM Neutral

 

[duke7006]

Hello,
I have 2012 210 challenger, but problem with bilge and stereo. Anyone has electic circuit diagram for this model ? Please let me get at duke7006@gmail.com.