Engine won't turn over

[ken_kaniff]

I bought a 1978 mark twain with a 78 evinrude 115 that hadn't been ran in 4 years. I replaced the battery. The trim and tilt works, but when I try to start it the engine won't turn over. I hear a click or two but it doesn't crank at all. any help is welcome?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Engine won't turn over

Check the output side of the starter solenoid. Since you hear a click when you turn the key to "start" that indicates power to the solenoid (therefore the saftey circuirts are OK). But check power to the "starter" post to be sure. If that's OK, verify power is to the starter side. If not, most likely the solenoid is bad. If there is power to the starter side, make sure it's going to the starter. Could be a bad wire. If there's power to the starter but it doesn't spin, the starter is probably bad.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Engine won't turn over

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

 

[ken_kaniff]

Re: Engine won't turn over

I jumped the power from the battery it would spin but the gear would not connect to the wheel on top of the engine to turn it over. This is the first boat I have owned and am now wishing I would have just bought a new one.

So I get a spinning of a small motor but not the engine. now when i try to start it with it hooked up normal, there is no click. which leads me to believe I blew a fuse.

Tomorrow I am going to try to find the fuse and replace it. But why won't the engine crank?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Engine won't turn over

The fuse is easy, it will be near the starter, 20 amp. It will be in a red 'boot plug' type holder.

As stated, ensure all connections are shining and tight. All wiring does not crunch when flexed, and there are not nicks or abrasions in it. Try turning the starter bendix a quarter turn, then trying again. If this cures it, the brushes are likely shot.

Measure the voltage at the starter (+) terminal while somebody turns the key over to "start" - if you get within half a volt or so of the battery voltage(12.65 volts), the starter is faulty.

Bad voltage at starter (with clean tight connections), measure the voltage at the solenoid small terminal with the yellow/red wire with the key turned over to "start" you should read within a half-volt of battery voltage(which should be 12.65), otherwise you have a wiring fault between the keyswitch & solenoid. Good voltage at solenoid but bad voltage at starter means faulty solenoid.

Now connect a single jumper cable between the POS battery terminal and directly to the large terminal on the starter. If the starter spins each time you do that, the solenoid is likely the culprit.

Connect another jumper cable to the NEG battery terminal and a good ground (bare bolt head or bracket) on the engine. Now do the same test you previously. If the starter now goes ok, you have a negative battery cable problem or the solenoid is bad.