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Engine will not turn over with key

D

Dysd

New member
Hello all

I have a 1989 Evinrude 40 hp vro outboard motor, it was my Father's boat and it has sat for a couple of years due to health reason; when I attempt to turn over the engine with the key nothing happens ( motor does not crank, selenoid does not click).

I put a new selenoid in it (my father had a spare) and the battery is brand new and has been tested on a different engine to verify.

If I jump the selenoid (bridge the two terminals) the engine will crank.

I have moved the shift lever back and fourth to see if it was the nuetral safety switch.

The boat is a 1970 14' Starcraft center console, the entire center console and seats are a single unit and so there is no accessing anything on the control.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to trouble shoot this (test the key switch) I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

Dave
 
racerone said:
Checked the fuse ??
Click to expand...

Thanks racerone, I should have been a little more thorough in my post. The fuse on the 12v line (by the selenoid is good). Not sure what each individual post on the the selenoid is called but I power to the top large post but there is no power to the yellow with red striped small wire post or any of the other post on the selenoid.
I will upload some pictures later today. Thanks again.
 
I don't have a wiring diagram for your specific motor, but a generic answer is there should be 12V on that yellow with red stripe wire when you turn the key to start position. If not, you are going to have to backtrack to find the problem. Unfortunately, that probably means take the remote control apart and check the neutral start safety switch and key switch. Your'e sure it's in neutral, right?
 
One large solenoid stud = Large red battery cable and smaller red wires that have large wire end terminals.
Other large solenoid stud = Large red cable leading the electric starter. <-- No other wires here!

One small 3/8" nut solenoid terminal = Black wire to powerhead ground somewhere.
Other small 3/8" nut solenoid terminal = Wire leading to "S" terminal of ignition switch (usually white, check it).
 
Trying to determine if the solenoid itself is working.........Does the solenoid engage if you go from positive battery to the small "S" terminal??? Is the solenoid mounted to a good ground?
 
bobbyc said:
Trying to determine if the solenoid itself is working.........Does the solenoid engage if you go from positive battery to the small "S" terminal??? Is the solenoid mounted to a good ground?
Click to expand...

Thanks you all for your responses I will try to address each one.

If I run a jumper cable from the positive battery to the South terminal on the selenoid it will turn over.

I checked the fuse and it appears to be good (going to pick a spare just in case but I did wrap the existing one in a piece of tin foil to ensure it was not a a faulty fuse for testing purposes.

It is nuetral and I put it in and out of nuetral while turning the key just to see if I could get it to turn over.

I really do appreciate all the help, it will be a tall order but I want to bring the old girl back to her glory days. I bought the boat for my dad back in 1985 and purchase the motor used in 1990 to replace the old mercury that came with the boat. A fter many years of enjoyment taking her out with my Father I wanted to bring her back to sea-worthy again. Before I dive in to any other restoration issues I wanted to get the lack of power issue addressed first. Uploaded pictures but still trying to figure out how get them in this thread. Thanks again for the information and patiences.
 
Dysd said:
Thanks you all for your responses I will try to address each one.

If I run a jumper cable from the positive battery to the South terminal on the selenoid it will turn over.

I checked the fuse and it appears to be good (going to pick a spare just in case but I did wrap the existing one in a piece of tin foil to ensure it was not a a faulty fuse for testing purposes.

It is nuetral and I put it in and out of nuetral while turning the key just to see if I could get it to turn over.

I really do appreciate all the help, it will be a tall order but I want to bring the old girl back to her glory days. I bought the boat for my dad back in 1985 and purchase the motor used in 1990 to replace the old mercury that came with the boat. A fter many years of enjoyment taking her out with my Father I wanted to bring her back to sea-worthy again. Before I dive in to any other restoration issues I wanted to get the lack of power issue addressed first. Uploaded pictures but still trying to figure out how get them in this thread. Thanks again for the information and patiences.
Click to expand...

Hopefully these pictures show up.

fdrgator; when you stated backtrack where/how would you start and is there a way to test the nuetral start safety switch or key switch without taking the control apart? Thanks in advance
 
Pardon me, but didn't I already tell you where to start troubleshooting? I said check the voltage on the yellow/red wire as you turn the key to start. You should see about 12V. If that voltage is not present, something is wrong between the fuse, key switch, neutral start switch and back to the motor. It is up to you to make tests along the circuit to see where you are losing that 12V. But begin where I told you to. Report back what you find and we can go from there.
 
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