Starter solenoid bad?

[biederboat]

Hi, got a 1995 90HP Force, starter motor won't turn over when properly installed but does turn over quite well when directly powered off the engine. I can hear the solenoid clicking but a test light doesn't light up on the starter side of the battery circuit (from the solenoid to the starter). The ignition start circuit seems good and it still won't turn over even when I connect the hot side of the start circuit (from the key switch) directly to 12 volts and clip on a direct ground lead on the ground side. I guess what I'm saying is I've identified the solenoid as the culprit but it makes its normal "click" noise so I'm asking can they fail yet still sound as if they're functioning okay? I've never seen this happen on a device such as this.

Thanks,
Biederboat

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Starter solenoid bad?

Yep! They can fail that way. The click is the solenoid pulling the high current contacts closed. If they burn or corrode they will not make contact so the starter gets no juice yet the solenoid itself will click. The starter solenoid is non repairable. You must buy a new one.