Evinrude 115 will not crank when restarting

[michaeljcarr]

I have 1992 Evinrude 115 OB that has started giving me grief when restarting after being run for 10-15 minutes. The engine starts great when cold. When I turn the key after the engine has sit for 15+ minutes there is no click and the starter will not engage. If I press in on the key I can hear the choke operating. The shifter is in neutral detent. I can start the engine with the pull rope by leaving the ignition in the on position with no problem. I have had the boat in for service a number of times but the service people never seem to be able to get the same problem to occur. Any comments. Where do I begin?

 

[Solittle]

Re: Evinrude 115 will not crank when restarting

First a BIG WELCOME!!<br /><br />You might begin by taking off, cleaning and reattaching every electrical connection to the starter, starter solinoid and battery (not just tighten but remove & lightly sandpaper the connections). Next make sure that your battery is fully charged. After that I would look at the neutral safety switch. Sometimes they can stick and you can free them up by jiggleing the throttle/gearshift lever.<br /><br />You can also bypass the solinoid with a screwdriver. That should get you started - engine too I hope.

 

[michaeljcarr]

Re: Evinrude 115 will not crank when restarting

Originally posted by SoLittle:<br /> First a BIG WELCOME!!<br /><br />You might begin by taking off, cleaning and reattaching every electrical connection to the starter, starter solinoid and battery (not just tighten but remove & lightly sandpaper the connections). Next make sure that your battery is fully charged. After that I would look at the neutral safety switch. Sometimes they can stick and you can free them up by jiggleing the throttle/gearshift lever.<br /><br />You can also bypass the solinoid with a screwdriver. That should get you started - engine too I hope.

 

[michaeljcarr]

Re: Evinrude 115 will not crank when restarting

How do you bypass the starter solenoid with screwdriver?<br />Previous posts have indicated neutral switch replacement or adjustment or starter solenoid replacement as solution. Which one should I start with?

 

[michaeljcarr]

Re: Evinrude 115 will not crank when restarting

^

 

[McGR]

Re: Evinrude 115 will not crank when restarting

Though you probably could do it, I wouldn't use a screwdriver to test the solenoid, you could easily create a hell of a short between B+ and ground if you touch the wrong things together, seems awkward too. Rather, just make a short jumper wire out of 12-18AWG hook up wire. Next time the motor won't start ,take the short jumper and jump between the small terminal on the solenoid (the one of the two NOT connected directly to ground) and the Battery + large solenoid terminal (the one coming from the battery NOT the one going to the starter). If your motor cranks when testing with this method, then you have a problem with the key/starting circuit. If the solenoid doesn't activate/motor doesn't crank you either:<br /><br />1. Have a bad solenoid.<br />or<br />2. Have a poor positive or ground connection to the solenoid.

 

[michaeljcarr]

Re: Evinrude 115 will not crank when restarting

Thanks for the info. I'll give this a try. Would you attach clips to the ends of the wire or just use bare wire?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Evinrude 115 will not crank when restarting

ITs a momentary connection so either will work. If you want to get fancy, buy a cheap push button switch, attach two wires to it, add clips to the other end of the wire and you now have a handy test tool or emergency start device to keep on your boat. Attach the tester, push the button and away you go (assuming of course the solenoid is ok).