Why won’t my engine start ?

1990 Nautique, FORD 351, 500 hours

Yesterday, after running fine all afternoon (with several on & off's), went to start the engine and natta, nothing. No crank, no click, no noise, no nothing. Everything on the Panel worked fine – ignition breaker, lights, blower, bilge pump, etc. Half hour later, my 9 year old son turns the key and presto - engine starts right up no problem. Turned it off and restarted several times, no problem.

Several hours later, same thing happens, it would not start - no noise, no click. I did jump the contacts on the Starter with a screwdriver and the engine started fine.

This morning I checked all connections from ignition switch, to the starter/solenoid & ignition switch, everything looked good & tight. Brought my voltmeter to check a few things, but of course, the engine started right up no problem, so I could not check anything. I suspect the yellow wire from the Ignition Switch goes direct to the Starter/Solenoid, but I did not trace this completely ?

My hunch is a faulty Ignition Switch ? (which I suspect is original) or what about what looks to be a “Neutral Safety Switch” on top of the tranny right under the starter – could this be causing problems ?

Any ideas / suggestions would be great !
Thanks, cheers - John

John, I feel you are on the right track looking at the ign. switch and the neutral safety switch. The early ign. switches do go due to a lot of current running through them. You said you have a volt meter. Is it a good ohm meter too? You can ohm out the start contacts and the safety switch and it should be a near zero reading. You do need a good meter though.

THANKS !! everyone for the great answers.

Next time this happens, hopefully I'll be able to figure out what's wrong.

cheers - John