Force 120 left us stranded

[davidgussy1]

I have a 1998 120 Force. I bought it new and have maintained it to the n'th degree. Yesterday my wife, son and I went to Ship Island on the Ms Gulf Coast where we live. The motor ran fine all the way out there. When I tried to start the motor after about five hours of playing on the island, nothing. The trim/tilt worked fine, the electric choke would click, but nothing else. I could not even get a click from the solinoid. I have two batteries, one new and the other two years old. I replaced the solinoid several month's ago as well as the stator and voltage regulator. I even bypassed the neutral switch and still not even a click. Does anyone have any idea what this problem may be? All I can say is SeaTow did a fine job of getting us back home!!!
Thanks

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Force 120 left us stranded

If you tested everything then the starter could be bad.The connections loose.The circut breakers reset?(some have them).
You need to remove the starter and check the brushes.Then check the solenoid.The key switch sending the signal to the safety switch?J

 

[erikpn]

Re: Force 120 left us stranded

Solenoid should at least click if it's operational. Check for loose connections to it. If none found, disconnect the wire, have someone turn the key while you use a multimeter to check if it's getting power.

 

[emoney]

Re: Force 120 left us stranded

Forgive me if I'm being silly but did you check the battery terminals for loose cables?

 

[couchise]

Re: Force 120 left us stranded

My 85 hp has the ignition button thing on the drivers side of the motor, and if it's not pushing in that button it won't start. try looking at and seeing if it is pushing the button in when your in neutral and just tighten from there.

 

[davidgussy1]

Re: Force 120 left us stranded

Thanks for all of the replies to my problem. I checked the solinoid with a wire and the engine started. So it was a solinoid problem. I have a spare starter on board as well as fuses, but not a spare solinoid. I am going to purchase two and have a spare. I am also going to carry some 12 guage wire to bypass any other potential problems. Again, thanks for all of the replies.
David