78 evinrude soleinoid clicks

kiwiguy

Seaman
Joined
Jun 8, 2002
Messages
72
I have a 78 25hp Evinrude. Solenoid and choke click on key turn but no life to the starter. The engine has started fine over the last 5-6 times the boat has been taken out but a couple of times this non starting "click" surfaced but always started the second turn.. now not even a hum. fully charged battery and can spin starter by direct connection with jumper leads.. is it the starter or solenoid.? :confused:
 

russthemuss

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 16, 2002
Messages
101
Re: 78 evinrude soleinoid clicks

If you can spin the starter with jumper leads then its probably the solonoid or bad connections on the 'heavy 'wires.Buy a cheap circuit tester at kmart and check it out.
 

kiwiguy

Seaman
Joined
Jun 8, 2002
Messages
72
Re: 78 evinrude soleinoid clicks

Russ.. my thoughts as well.... I have checked all the main leads back to the battery and all are fine... By the looks of the solenoid cover it has been played with before.. the wires from the two small posts have rotted away as well.. are they the charging feeds to the rectifier?
 

micar

Cadet
Joined
Jan 22, 2003
Messages
17
Re: 78 evinrude soleinoid clicks

its easy to check the solenoid. Remove all the wires from each terminal of the solenoid. Connect 12 volts from your battery to the 2 small pins on the solenoid and you should hear it "click" then get your multimeter and check for continuance between the two big terminals. If there is no continuance, ie open circut, change the solenoid.....<br /><br />cheers<br />mike
 

ajp

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 6, 2002
Messages
280
Re: 78 evinrude soleinoid clicks

Have you checked the cables inch by inch. If the outside shield is cracked, the inside copper may be corroded and not alowing enough voltage to spin the motor. They put the cables in a rubber hose that can get water in it and ruin the cables. I also had the same problem when my ground connection was not soldered to the neg cable.<br /><br />A fullly charged brand new battery is no good if it doesn't get to the starter, or has a bad ground.
 

BKool68

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 14, 2001
Messages
259
Re: 78 evinrude soleinoid clicks

The small leads trigger the solenoid. One should go to ground and the other is the positive from your ignition switch.
 

kiwiguy

Seaman
Joined
Jun 8, 2002
Messages
72
Re: 78 evinrude soleinoid clicks

ok.. now I'm getting somewhere. tried another solenoid and all is well. the positve (red) wire from the loom conects to the large post.. I have two yellow wires (both connect to the small posts).. I presume these wires somehow feed the rectifire????? Sorry if this all sounds like me being a dumb b****d.. but I gotta learn lol
 
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