1970 Evinrude Triumph 60 Horse

[kleons]

After two seasons of inactivity, my battery was dead. I've since charged the battery. When I turn the key I get a single "click". Any Ideas?

 

[F_R]

Re: 1970 Evinrude Triumph 60 Horse

Does the starter even try to run when it clicks?

A voltage drop test is in order. You have:
A bad battery (dead cell) OR
A bad battery cable connection. Clean them up shiny bright for good contact. OR
A bad solenoid (not likely, but most often blamed) Voltage drop test is in order. OR
A bad battery cable--corrosion inside the rubber OR
A bad starter.

Intelligent use of a voltmeter will isolate any of the above conditions. Guessing will make the parts vendors happy.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1970 Evinrude Triumph 60 Horse

Hey kleons, welcome to iBoats. Fortunately, you found one of the most knowledgeable people here, at the start.

The order that he has put the proceedures I believe are the best places to start. Connections are usually the faults of boats and RV's that I have seen.

 

[basbalj288]

Re: 1970 Evinrude Triumph 60 Horse

Hey,
I had the SAME motor. I tried to start it after sitting for 20 years and had the SAME problem and heard that same click. All that I had to replace was the solenoid and it started right up. One way to trouble shoot it to see if it really is the solenoid is take some INSULATED pliers and touch both bolts coming off the solenoid while hooked up to the battery of course. What this will do is bypass the solenoid and send current directly to the starter, which if that's the problem at that time will jump up and cause a loud noise that, if I didn't warn you about would probably make you crap yourself like it did me!!!
Hope this helps and keep me posted

 

[kleons]

Re: 1970 Evinrude Triumph 60 Horse

Thanks guys,

It was a combination of the solenoid and dirty ignition switch connections.

Thanks so much for your help.