1973 Evinrude Starter Problem

[zukimud1]

First of all, thanks for any replies. I don't have a manual yet, so any advice is truly appreciated.<br /><br />I have a 1973 Evinrude 65HP outboard. I have recently started having a starter problem. When I turn my ignition, the starter will not do anything. The motor starts just fine if I use a pull rope. Also, I used a wire from where the hot battery cable hooks up to the side of the engine directly to the starter, and it works fine. At the risk of sounding like an idiot, there is a round shaped thing on the port side of the motor that the battery cable hooks to the bottom of, and the cable from the starter hooks to the top of it. Is this the starter selenoid? Could this be my problem? I had it on the lake yesterday and the starter worked twice with the ignition switch, but all the other times I had to pull start it.

 

[zukimud1]

Re: 1973 Evinrude Starter Problem

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[Xcusme]

Re: 1973 Evinrude Starter Problem

Sure sounds like your solenoid has gone South. There is a small terminal on the solenoid that gets 12VDC when you turn your ingition key to the start position. If you use a test light connected to this terminal and ground, you should see the test light illuminate when you turn the key. This verifies that your ignition circuit is OK. If the test light verifies that your ignition is OK, then it's a bad solenoid.

 

[MooseHootie]

Re: 1973 Evinrude Starter Problem

the starter selenoid has two big wires and two small wires. The small wires cause the current to flow from one big term. to the other. Check for 12volts across the two small ones when you are turning the start switch.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: 1973 Evinrude Starter Problem

BTW, DON'T try to replace it with an automotive one - the outboard motor one's are different (basically they ground when working). Most of the OMC ones from around that era are the same part number, at least for the 3 & 4 cylinders.

 

[zukimud1]

Re: 1973 Evinrude Starter Problem

I checked the two small terminals. When the key is not turned, I have nothing. When the key is turned I have power on both of the small terminals. I guess now I should assume my solenoid is bad, right?

 

[Xcusme]

Re: 1973 Evinrude Starter Problem

OK, one of those 2 small terminals comes from your ignition switch, the other (since it still has voltage on it, isn't grounded). The second terminal might go thru a neutral safety switch. This switch will complete the solenoid circuit to ground, closing the solenoid and the starter should work. If the neutral safety switch is defective or is not being depressed (closed) by the shift linkage, the solenoid won't work either. The neutral safety switch could have a bad ground connection too. Try manually depressing the neutral safety switch and then try the key to start. I don't have a wiring schematic for your rig to give you a better shot at fixing the problem, but it's a start.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1973 Evinrude Starter Problem

Try running a jumper wire from the safety lock-out switch to ground. If engine cranks over, problem is with switch