1998 Force 75HP electrical problem

"Hello,

I'm seeking som

"Hello,

I'm seeking someone expertise with an issue I'm having. I would be eternally grateful to anyone that can help as I've spent a lot of hours troubleshooting.

The problem began a few weeks ago when I tried cranking my outboard and noticed that the starter was turning slowly. I made sure the battery was charged up and that all electrical connections were corrosion-free but still had the same issue. I tried replacing the battery and all battery/electrical connections to the starter- but I still saw the same issue. I replaced the starter and now the starter spins very quickly but the bendix gear does not engage the flywheel. I then tried moving the negative battery cable to a ground point on the opposite side of the engine block and the bendix gear engaged just fine and the motor cranked right up. How would I even begin to repair the bad ground point on my engine block?

Here is a picture of the main engine ground. When my neg battery cable is connected here, the starter spins but the bendix gear does not engage the flywheel:

<img>http://i44.tinypic.com/10if7zq.jpg"</img>

Here is a picture of the ground point on the opposite side of the engine block. When my neg battery cable is connected here, the starter operates properly and the engine cranks right up:

http://i42.tinypic.com/makzfs.jpg"

Thank you for viewing!"

"Matt, it is most likely just

"Matt, it is most likely just a bunch of crud in the treaded portion of the block which is kinda "insulating" that bolt that is your current ground (dirt and oil that's migrated into the threads).

Take the bolt out and spray some cleaner in the threaded hole (carb cleaner or the like should work fine) and if you have a tap set (or can borrow one) clean up the hole threads - then clean off the bolt good and put her back together.

It's probably just that simple - your ground bolt just isn't making good contact to the powerhead."

I tried cleaning the bolt and

I tried cleaning the bolt and bolt hole out last night with no success. Any other thoughts?

Just get yourself a piece of a

Just get yourself a piece of automotive wire (10 or 12 gauge) to make a kinda jumper from underneath that bolt head over to the bolt where you got good ground.

That will be easier than trying to move your whole harness.

I had basically the same situa

I had basically the same situation on my Force 50 hp. Lost the ground to the terminal block and starter solenoid. Used a automotive 10 ga stranded wire and jumped to a good ground point. Problem solved.