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At a loss

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bzjht

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I have a 2004 225hp evinrude engine. I got it to start once this year and that's it. I have tested everything i can think of. I've replaced both relays as one was not working everything i tested it. I think it maybe the safety switch but am lost at this point. ANY HELP is greatly appreciated
 
We need much more information! Does it crank (turn over, spin)? Does it have spark? Are you getting gas to the plugs? If you're getting gas, but not spark to the plugs, the plugs should be wet and smell like gas after you've tried cranking it for a while. If you've got spark but no gas, try spraying starter fluid into the throat of the carbs. Do this just to see if it tries to start. Don't do it repeatedly. The best thing to spray in the carbs is some pre-mixed fuel. I'm assuming it's a 2-stroke. If not then ignore everything I've mentioned.
You need to include model number of the motor too.
 
Please post a model #.

Does it crank with no start, or do you turn the key and nothing happens? These are 2 very difference scenarios to diagnose.

If you turn the key and nothing happens, then yes it could be a problem with either emergency cut-off switch (ECOS lanyard) or the neutral safety switch in the engine control box. One time I got to the lake, turned the key, and no crank, nothing at all. I went back home and probed every wire I thought could be a culprit with no success, then as a last resort wiggled the shift handle and the engine cranked immediately. :cautious: Typically if you turn the key and nothing happens it would be the neutral safety switch which I believe is NORMALLY OPEN to enable starting.

If the engine cranks and there's no fire you have a lot more work to do. Fuel pump, EMM, spark, and sensors are all possibilities. I'm not certain on the DFI engines, but on older engines if the safety lanyard was pulled the engine would crank but there was no spark. To test this, the ECOS is NORMALLY CLOSED to allow spark. On the electrical side, the first thing is to check all battery connections and make sure you have 0 ohms between the negative battery post and the engine block. If you have any resistance on the ground, fix that first. Once you've confirmed a good ground and minimum 12 volts to the power distribution panel, and you still won't start, then it's likely time to plug into a diagnostic tool and look for codes.
 
It doesn't crank when turning the key. We did change out 2 stop/ ignition relays yesterday and it fired. Hoping it will crank again today. We've had such rain so working on it is a challenge.
***THANK ALL OF YOU for all your input.
 
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