1998 Evinrude Hard to Start

[donnmck]

My 1998 Evinrude FICT occasionally will be very hard to start. When this happens, the motor only cranks for a second then stops. Choking, not choking has no effect. Re-squeezing the bulb has no effect. Waiting a few minutes sometimes works. Repeatedly turning the key on and off quickly sometimes works. When I first got the motor the same thing happened. I had to get two new batteries (making sure they were cranking batteries with enough ampherage, before the problem stopped. Now a year later, the problem is back. The battery checks good. Could there be something that stops the cranking because the EFI shows(tells) the computer the engine is running? Or do I just have to keep buying batteries?

 

[Solittle]

Re: 1998 Evinrude Hard to Start

Since no one has responed so far I'll take a stab - - First thing I would do is check all of the wiring to the ignition/starter switch. Remove all connections one by one, sand or file to assure good contact and reattach. I would also go to the Search function at the top of the page and enter "ignition switch" in the search arguement or something simular. What you are looking for are instructions on how to check the electrical functions of the switch.<br /><br />Also you said that you checked the batteries and that they were OK. No matter how you checked them I would charge each battery seperately (check the water first), sandpaper the inside of the terminals and battery post and reattach. While you are at it check and clean all connections at the starter and solonoid.

 

[72 mako 19]

Re: 1998 Evinrude Hard to Start

good call SoLittle, if problem still persists or comes back after a while, get a voltmeter and check voltage from starter to batteries; could be a voltage problem. or a dying starter or solenoid.<br /><br />And make sure all connections are tight and clean.

 

[donnmck]

Re: 1998 Evinrude Hard to Start

Thanks to you both for the steps to take. I cleaned the battery terminals real good when I checked it. I will tackle the ignition switch and its connections tonight.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: 1998 Evinrude Hard to Start

Don, I get exactly the same problem on my non-Ficht 1997 Evinrude 115. The starter motor only turns for a fraction of a second before letting go - but the engine has not started. I know all the theory about Quickstart and how you press the key in for a couple of seconds before turning etc...been told the correct starting procedure many times...but still, from time to time get the exact problem you describe.<br /><br />What I've now learned by practical experience (and which is against all the theory, with Quickstart) is when that happens, to give it some manual throttle. I lift the throttle lever about 20 degrees during starting. Then, when the engine has started, I slowly slip the throttle lever back down within the first 10 or 15 seconds.<br /><br />Works every time so far - and I know you're not supposed to need to do that with Quickstart - but that's what my engine seems to require.

 

[donnmck]

Re: 1998 Evinrude Hard to Start

62 Kiwi, Man, I'm sure glad someone else has had the same problem with the 115 with quickstart. I'm tired of cleaning battery terminals, holding the key in, etc. Some days, it never fails to start, some days it gives me fits all day long. The last time out, I could only start it when I gave it at least half throttle (like you said - it's not supposed to be necessary) and kept turning the key on and off until it started. Then I would have to pull it back in a hurry to avoid over-reving. Once running, it goes like a dream. It seems like if it would only keep cranking for 2 seconds instead of the constant 1 second, it would start every time. Thanks, your comments have me looking into the kill switch area of the ignition switch. Maybe something there is sticking and not allowing the proper pre-ignition part of the quick-start.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: 1998 Evinrude Hard to Start

Don<br /><br />One further thing about my engine, is that once it has been started - then any time later on that day, it will start again easily without problem. I never have a problem restarting the motor once it's already been started that day. Is yours like that? <br /><br />To me, that rules out electrical problems. My thought at this stage (given what I described above) is that my problem is simply that it needs more throttle during startup... (maybe the priming mechanism isn't working properly when I press the key in?). I've even tried counting to 8 while holding the key in before firing the starter (as per DHadley's advice about a year ago).<br /><br />It would be interesting to know what percentage of people have trouble with Quickstart...

 

[ob]

Re: 1998 Evinrude Hard to Start

Donnmck,the quickstart system works in conjuntion with temp sensor.When engine is cold it should be in circuit and slightly advances spark on cold start-up to hold engine at fast idle until temp sensor drops it from quickstart circuit.Mine only stays in quickstart for about 20 sec after starting motor and then rpms drop from about 1200 to 1000 in nuetral.Idle mix screw adjustment is critical in quickstart being effective as is thermo sensor and engine thermostat.My manual states that if controls are put in fast idle position on start-up then quickstart is overrided.Since your motor is a ficht design not sure about idle settings.