evinrude 1980 50 hp red choke switch

i have an evinrude 50hp outboard/not sure of year,prob about 1980,there is a red switch on the left hand side of the motor which i have been told is the choke switch..i can start the engine for about 5 secs,then it will cut out..i have tried the switch in various different positions but it will keep cutting out..which way is the choke switch off..pointing forward or back,also is there a halfway open option...could there be another problem i dont know about..also will it run ok without the airfilters in place??...thanks....jason..

Re: evinrude 50hp red choke switch

It is a 'primer solenoid' intended to be operated by pushing the key 'IN' when in on/start position. (You should hear a 'click')
The red lever should be parallel to the black housing under normal operation.
may be operated manually by very shortly put in a 90 degree position and then turned back or you will flood the engine.
Test it by pulling off the thin hose (Be careful!!), then prime the bulb, key in 'ON' and press. Fuel should squirt out.
Manually test:
Prime the bulb and turn the lever 90 degree, fuel comes out.

Re: evinrude 50hp red choke switch

i dont have a key to push in..should i just take off the thin hose and test manually??....will the engine run ok without the airfilters in place??

Re: evinrude 50hp red choke switch

That solenoid only came with electric start engines, however later in the 80's. The earler ones had normal choke butterflies.
Someone changed the carb???
You may try to test manually.
I do not recommend to run without the air-box.
Creates normally a 'hesitation' at acceleration.
If possible post a pic of your engine.

Re: evinrude 50hp red choke switch

(Fuel Primer Solenoid Function)
(J. Reeves)

The RED lever...... The normal operating/running position is to have that red lever positioned over top of the solenoid and aimed at the other end of the solenoid, gently turned to its stop. This is the normal/automatic mode position. Pushing the key in opens the valve within the solenoid allowing fuel to pass thru it in order to prime and start the engine. Looking upon this solenoid as a electric choke results in a better understanding of it.

Having that red lever turned in the opposite direction, facing away from the solenoid, allows fuel to flow thru it to the crankcase area. One would only turn the red lever to this position in a case where the battery might go dead and the engine had to be started via the rope pull method. Look upon putting the red lever in this position as moving a choke lever on a choke equipped engine to the full closed position. Either one would supply fuel to the crankcase/engine for starting purposes BUT if left in that position while running would flood the engine.

The later model primer solenoids are equipped with a schrader valve, used for attaching a pressurized can of fogging oil etc, available at your local dealership with complete instructions.

Pumping the fuel primer bulb up hard fills the carburetor float chambers of course, but that process also applies fuel pressure to the primer solenoid.
The two small hoses leading from the primer solenoid branch off via tees to each fuel manifold section that would feed fuel to the individual cylinders.
Pushing the key in activates the primer solenoid to allow fuel to flow thru it to the intake manifold passageways. Cranking the engine over causes the fuel pump to engage which in turn sends fuel pulses to the primer solenoid via the 3/8" fuel hose.
Some engines incorporates the "Fast Start" feature which automatically advances the spark electronically so no advance of the throttle is required for starting.
Engines that do not have the "Fast Start" feature will be required to have the throttle advanced slightly.
Starting procedure: pump fuel bulb up hard, crank engine and push the key in at the same time. When the engine fires/starts, release the key so that it falls back to the run position.
Bottom line..... Look upon the primer solenoid as an electric choke.

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