Re: '83 115 Evinrude Starter issues
turn the gear counter clockwise, and lift up as you do. the gear is driven up by centrifical force of the starter spinning. if the starter is not getting enough electricity, it will not raise the gear. 1983 is 99% due for new battery cables.
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.
also have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, free, i've had new batteries go bad
