Will a bad starter button cause no spark or occasional spark?

[DJMky]

Just wondering if the two are related. It's a friends 95XP and he says there is no spark a lot of the time. He said the dealer told him it was the starter button but offered to replace the starter and button for only $489.00 :facepalm: Correct me if I am wrong but if you are making the necessary contact to engage the starter it looks as if the starter button has done it's job. He stated that the starter will fire via the button every time but will not get spark everytime unless you move your finger around on the starter button while it is being depressed. Anyone ever seen this? Thanks guys.

 

[doberdann1019]

I had the same problem on my 97 XP, the rubber around the starter button was worn away and the button was all rusted out. Cut it off and try touching the wires together.

 

[Coastiejoe]

The fact that he states he gets spark SOMETIME when he moves his finger around on the button sound weird to me. I'm guessing that when the problem is found that it will have nothing to do with the start/stop switch but a bad ground or poor connection to the coil or something like that.

In the automotive world, a common no spark issue was, spark only when the key was turning. The fix was one of two things, a defective coil or defective key switch, (not the key tumbler but the switch that mounted lower on the columns).

The start switch gets power and feeds a relay in the MPEM if i am not mistaken. If this is the case, the only real connection is that the circuit is near other circuits that do feed spark to the engine.

If you wants to confirm things, unplug the switch and jump the two wires. This would be the same as basically pushing the button.

To answer your question, they really are not connected other than by proximity. Which would be the MPEM. And anything is possible within the MPEM..

 

[Coastiejoe]

I just traced the wires in the XP Schematic. One wire goes to ground and the other into the MPEM.

What I would do is, confirm the battery voltage while cranking the engine.
Remove and clean all grounds and hot wires. Sand then, sand where they bolt to, use dielectric grease and put them back together.

I have seen ski's crank with 10.8 volts. But,, the MPEM requires more than that for there to be spark.

 

[DJMky]

You guys rock. I just called up my buddy and told him to get that ski over here this evening along with a few cold beers and we are going to get to work!!!!! Thanks for all the replies guys.

 

[kicker]

Getting back to the button itself. If you have to jiggle your finger around to get good contact, chances are that it is just the actual button that has turned to mush underneath. There is a nob on the underside of the red button that actually makes the contact with the switch.

 

[DJMky]

Thanks for the pics. We are setting here checking it out. Funny thing is the starter button seems to work fine and as soon as you push it down it makes contact and tries to start the engine. Just no spark so we are getting ready to check the voltage.