Evinrude 50 won't start

christal

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 5, 2010
Messages
48
The Evinrude 50 I have will not start, I connected a new battery to it and still nothing. I'm thinking it might be the starter but, I'm not sure. It ran when I first got the boat a couple weeks ago then after I got it on the trailer and got it home it wouldn't start at all. I know this is kind of hard to diagnose engine problems without seeing or hearing what exactly is going on but, if anyone has a picture of a starter for this motor or one that is compatible maybe I can widdle it down slowly.
 

wilde1j

Vice Admiral
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Apr 15, 2002
Messages
5,964
Re: Evinrude 50 won't start

The starter will not turn the engine over, correct? If so, first try jumping around the solenoid and see if the starter works. If it does, the solenoid or wiring are bad or both. If it doesn't, the starter probably has an issue. It's often economic taking the starter motor to an auto electric shop for rebuild, assuming it's brushes or commutator cleaning, etc. needed.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Evinrude 50 won't start

Go to the Top Secret file and do the Starter troubleshooting in "Outboard won't start".

My money is on poor connections.
 

christal

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May 5, 2010
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48
Re: Evinrude 50 won't start

okay fella's, went to the top secret file got that iformation, could someone tell me where the killswitch is supposed to be located or is located?....i don't have an owners manual for this boat and everything is really new to me
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Evinrude 50 won't start

You never mentioned a year, model # or anything other than 50 HP.

That makes a HUGE difference.

Help us help you.
 

christal

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May 5, 2010
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48
Re: Evinrude 50 won't start

the model # is 50273C serial # E07588 as for the year, i'm just going on what the title to the boat says, and that may just be the year of the boat....that is a 1970...i stand corrected, just looked up the year the motor is a 1972...is this motor even worth the hassle, or will parts be more than what the motor is worth? it also has an issue with the gears that i will be tackling during the summer when i'm not fishing.....lol
 

wilde1j

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Apr 15, 2002
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5,964
Re: Evinrude 50 won't start

I don't think your motor has a kill switch (they typically are on the single lever control unit).

Why not figure out what's wrong before assuming it's going to cost too much to fix!
 

christal

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May 5, 2010
Messages
48
Re: Evinrude 50 won't start

wilde1j, i definately am not going to give up on this motor, money is tight and if she can be fixed and it will be a reasonable cost by-gosh-by-golly i'll get her fixed....lol. i was just asking for opinions about it, i greatly appriciate any and all information from you guys and gals. tell me something, is the solenoid on the right side of the motor and look similar to a tophat with screws coming out of it?
 

mikesea

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Messages
1,830
Re: Evinrude 50 won't start

yes ,it looks like a tophat,make sure your shift handle is in neutral,sometimes if its off a bit ,it will make the neutral safty switch to not allow the eng to get power.Loose or dirty connections are a big reason for lack of power to the starting system.Be sure all connections at battery and to the starter and the solonoid are looking nice and clean ,and tite.If you can get a test lite,they are sold at auto stores for about 5 dollars ,you can check various places for power.I suggest you check the yellow wire with the red stripe at the solonoid for power .Put your test lit clip on a good clean ground ,preferably on the screw that the negative cable connects to,then touch the positive cable where it connect to the solonoid,its a large wire,if you get a lite ,then have someone turn the key to the start position,test the yel /red wire,it should let the test lite lite up.If not you need to be sure all the harness plugs ,are tite.
 

mikesea

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Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Messages
1,830
Re: Evinrude 50 won't start

yes ,it looks like a tophat,make sure your shift handle is in neutral,sometimes if its off a bit ,it will make the neutral safty switch to not allow the eng to get power.Loose or dirty connections are a big reason for lack of power to the starting system.Be sure all connections at battery and to the starter and the solonoid are looking nice and clean ,and tite.If you can get a test lite,they are sold at auto stores for about 5 dollars ,you can check various places for power.I suggest you check the yellow wire with the red stripe at the solonoid for power .Put your test lit clip on a good clean ground ,preferably on the screw that the negative cable connects to,then touch the positive cable where it connect to the solonoid,its a large wire,if you get a lite ,then have someone turn the key to the start position,test the yel /red wire,it should let the test lite lite up.If not you need to be sure all the harness plugs ,are tite.There may be a fuse on the top of the engine toward the rear,it will be in a red fuse holder,look for it and see if the fuse is ok.
 

Bluesmobile

Seaman
Joined
Sep 13, 2009
Messages
66
Re: Evinrude 50 won't start

heres a '71 40hp. Yours may be similar:

motor2.jpg


And you asked about the kill switch? Find your cutout switch and follow the wire up:

motor3.jpg


Before starting, make sure that the throttle is pushed back or no farther advanced than the shifter which should be in neutral.
 

christal

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Joined
May 5, 2010
Messages
48
Re: Evinrude 50 won't start

thanks a million guys, this information is quite useful, however, the gear issue i mentioned in a earlier post is......it won't go into nuetral, it is a push-button shift and i have pushed reverse and nuetral several times and she won't go into either gear. so with that being known, is there anything i need to do other than what you guys have suggested?
 

eavega

Lieutenant
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Apr 29, 2008
Messages
1,377
Re: Evinrude 50 won't start

My understanding is that the electric shift motors are by default in forward gear. They won't shift into neutral until the motor is actually spinning. If you have managed to start the engine and it won't shift through the gears, you need to test the shift solenoids to make sure they are all working.

Procedure is below.

Hydro Electric Shift)
(J. Reeves)

The shifting setup of the lower unit is what's called a "Hydro Electric Shift", which is quite complex consisting of voltage being applied to solenoids in the lower unit which in turn change oil passages via a oil pump that supplies various pressure on a spring loaded shifter dog. The wires leading to the lower unit (at the powerhead) are "Green" and "Blue". The engine must be running or cranking over in order to shift out of forward gear.

You CAN NOT use HI VIS lube in that lower unit. You MUST USE what OMC calls "Premium Blend" lube, commonly called "Type C". (A thinner lube)

In neutral, you need 12v to the "Green" wire.
In reverse, you need 12v to both wires, the "Green" one and the "Blue" one.
In forward, there should be no voltage to either wire. (The spring loaded shifter dog forces the unit into forward gear)

To check the lower unit for proper shifting to make sure you have no trouble there, remove the spark plugs to avoid problems and to allow a higher cranking speed.

This next step eliminates the actual shift switch in case problems may exist there.... Disconnect the blue & green wires at the knife connectors (the rubber insulated boots) leading to the lower unit at the powerhead, then using jumpers, take voltage direct from the starter solenoid to apply voltage to the "Green" wire for neutral, then both wires 'Green" & "Blue" for reverse (Remember the engine must be cranking over in order to shift).
With no voltage applied, the unit should be in forward. No need for a ground jumper... the lower unit's already grounded. You may crank the engine with the key switch or by energizing the starter solenoid with a jumper wire.
 
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