1975 Evinrude 40hp

[Dominick10]

I cant get my engine to turn over when I turn the key the solenoid clicks and my ground on the other side catches fire. Everything seems to be hooked up just fine. Does anyone know what could be causing this?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 40hp

90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one.

Be sure the cables area connected to the correct battery post. crossing cables, usually blows the rectifier, and can blow more.

also have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, free, i've had new batteries go bad

 

[Dominick10]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 40hp

Thanks Ill go try that.

 

[Dominick10]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 40hp

I tried taking jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter and it worked. The biggest worry is why when the selonoid clicks once and sticks in place there is power running through everything and thats what is frying my grounds and setting them on fire. Now could change out the old wires prevent this?

 

[F_R]

Re: 1975 Evinrude 40hp

Anything that is getting hot is because of resistance. The same thing that makes a light bulb glow. If it is a connection that is getting hot, it is a dead giveaway that there is a high resistance in the connection. In other words, clean it shiny bright and make sure it is mechanically secure.