Ignition problem with my inboard petrol VII 7 engine

[wellchewed]

Hi all, i have had my 1984 Virgo Voyager for over a year now shes been an absolute pleasure to have she has a VII 7 petrol inboard i got the boat from a guy who was a mechanic and he has done an excellent job maintaining the engine and adding bits to make her run better.
The only problem i have is that i recently had problems starting her when i turned the key "nothing" even though i knew there was power etc.
I though the actual key ignition was faulty so i got another fitted it an the problem remained, i went back this week with my mutli meter to do some electrical snoppery and now noticed as soon as i turn the battery isolator switch on the engine tried to start constantly.
I have removed the new ignition and put back the original just in case, i know i have the wires in the right place as i labeled them and toke details digital photos before i removed anything.

Any help you guys could give me on this would be greatly appreciated, al i can think of that it could be a solenoid stuck in the open position.
Basic info on the ignition is simple i have an 4 pos ignition key wired to a light then / solenoid / coil / electronic ignition KT00069.

Again any help guys would be excellent thanks in advance.
Pete

 

[rbcoomer]

Hi all, i have had my 1984 Virgo Voyager for over a year now shes been an absolute pleasure to have she has a VII 7 petrol inboard i got the boat from a guy who was a mechanic and he has done an excellent job maintaining the engine and adding bits to make her run better.
The only problem i have is that i recently had problems starting her when i turned the key "nothing" even though i knew there was power etc.
I though the actual key ignition was faulty so i got another fitted it an the problem remained, i went back this week with my mutli meter to do some electrical snoppery and now noticed as soon as i turn the battery isolator switch on the engine tried to start constantly.
I have removed the new ignition and put back the original just in case, i know i have the wires in the right place as i labeled them and toke details digital photos before i removed anything.

Any help you guys could give me on this would be greatly appreciated, al i can think of that it could be a solenoid stuck in the open position.
Basic info on the ignition is simple i have an 4 pos ignition key wired to a light then / solenoid / coil / electronic ignition KT00069.

Again any help guys would be excellent thanks in advance.
Pete

Hi Pete,

Welcome to the forum. I don't know the engine or boat but hopefully someone here will?

You should be able to trace if it's a faulty solenoid with just a voltmeter, but don't assume anything and check earth connections as well as supply.

Best regards,

Robin

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

It does sound like a solenoid problem. Have you tried hitting it with a hammer? (I'm not kidding)

 

[rbcoomer]

It does sound like a solenoid problem. Have you tried hitting it with a hammer? (I'm not kidding)

Had a few vehicles like that over the years!

Seems the o/p's boat is a saily one so I don't feel quite so bad that I'd not heard of it - my knowledge of such things even more limited

 

[gordmac]

Worth asking on the Practical Boat Owner forum?