Starter Not Fully Disengaging in Neutral (Intermittent)

[natrix19]

2012 ProXS 225
S/N: 1b863739

Hi all, I have a weird one for ya.

I have a problem that only seems to happen intermittently. My starter doesn't fully disengage from the flywheel and makes a grinding noise as it's rubbing the flywheel. Basically the same noise it would make if you try starting it when it's already running.

Here's the catch, it only does this while in Neutral gear. When I shift the boat in gear, the starter fully disengages and everything is good. If I shift back into neutral, it re-deploys the bendix drive up and makes the noise again. I was also getting low voltage alarms when it was doing that too...put it in gear and the alarm stops. Again, this doesn't happen every time I start it, or every outing...just sort of randomly it seems.

Now, here's another wrinkle for ya. When I was testing this, I sort of nudged the key and I thought it looked like it disengaged the bendix real quick before I turned it off completely.

So I'm not sure if the starter is going, the starter solenoid, or if maybe it's something with the key/ignition. Gonna test "nudging" the key on Wednesday if it is making that noise again.

But I'm wondering if you guys have any early ideas, or if I can grease the bendix drive, or something.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help

[JOE54]

test for voltage on yellow with red strp wire on solenoid when with engine running or voltage on starter post also posible ign switch failing or wiring problem/short

[lpugh]

^^^^^^^^^^ I would bet on this being the fix
when shift into gear, this interrupts the crank signal from the key switch.

[natrix19]

Ok. I'll check the voltage tomorrow and report back. Is there a way to test the ignition switch, or is it just a matter of replacing it?

Thanks guys.

[lpugh]

yelow/red wire from key switch goes thru neutral switch to slave solenoid to main starter solenoid.
check at key switch for proper switching with shifter in gear to prevent motor from cranking while testing

[JOE54]

Ok. I'll check the voltage tomorrow and report back. Is there a way to test the ignition switch, or is it just a matter of replacing it?

Thanks guys.

12v on yel/red in start position only

[natrix19]

Update: Looks like the ignition switch is the issue. The key sort of sticks in the "start" position. If I give it a slight turn to "run" the starter disengages and the noise stops. So looks like it's not a wiring or electrical issue at least, which is good news to me LOL

[JOE54]

good deal