Last time out, no choke "click". What could be the problem?

[DJ_Allatoona]

1986 Mercury 75. Couple of days ago, there was no 'click' when I pressed the key in at cold start. Eventually she started, but took a bit more coaxing and cranking. I had somewhere to be, so I didn't explore what the problem could be. Any advice as to where I should start diagnosing when I'm at the the boat next time?

 

[gm280]

I'm assuming :facepalm: you have a push to choke type key starting system. And if so, you need to check that when you push in the key, you get voltage at the choke on the carb. So It could take two people to do that test. If you have voltage at the choke solenoid and it doesn't set the choke, make certain you have a good ground as well. And it you have both and it still doesn't work, time to buy a new choke solenoid. If you don't have voltage there, you have a problem with either the wire running from the ignition switch to the choke, or the ignition switch itself... JMHO!