1976 Evinrude 70HP will not turn over with key.

[somm33]

Hey everyone, As all can see I am a NOOB to this forum and have been told by many boat people that this is the best site for getting repair advice!! Anyhow I have a 1976 Evinrude 70HP that will not turn over with the key?,I can jump the starter but with the spark plugs in it only spins slowly,if I remove the plugs and jump the starter it spins fast as it should. The motor does run well when I pull start it,but along with the starter the control box cables seem to be out of adjustment also,as when it should be in (N) it is actually in reverse, and I can not get any rpms in reverse other than a slightly high idle,forward will run WOT but the warm up lever wants to come up when that is achived. any help will be very great as I live rite on lake erie and would love to get out there,but wish to do so with all my equipment working in proper order. Thanks in advance for any help!!!

 

[Chinewalker]

First thing I'd check is the starter fuse. It'll be in a small red rubber fitting near the large red rubber plug.

As for the starter motor itself not having the oomph to spin the motor over, begin by checking and cleaning all connections between the battery and the starter motor & solenoid. If that doesn't help, then you may be due for a new starter motor, or at the very least a new set of brushes.

 

[racerone]

Those starters are elegantly easy to inspect / repair.-----Take the starter off and mark the ends where it splits.-----Take out the 2 screws to take it apart.----Ask how to test when you have it apart.

 

[boobie]

Take the starter to a rebuild shop as they have the equipment to test it properly which the average person doesn't.

 

[racerone]

These starters are elegantly easy to inspect and repair.----Of course if you can solve it with money you do not have a problem.

 

[boobie]

How many guys have a growler to check an armature properly ??

 

[Bosunsmate]

make sure your battery is charged and use jumper cables to the starter. Ground the neg to a bolt on the starter.
Often its the cables that have corroded internally that cause your slow spinning proble,
The starter not working may be the fuse as said above or a broken wire or a faulty solenoid

 

[racerone]

Digital ohmeter does a wonderful job of checking the armature.---these starters are elegantly easy to test and repair.

 

[emdsapmgr]

At least pull the starter apart and check the brushes. Possible all you need is a new brush set. (still available as a kit.) When you are in there, clean out all the carbon black, relube the bushings. I'd remove the shift cable at the engine. When you have it running, shift if by hand. See if it shifts normally that way. If so, it's just a simple shift cable adjustment at the engine end-then reattach it. Normally in reverse, you will not get high rpm's.Usually more than just a high idle-so the throttle cable may also be slightly out of adjustment.

 

[boobie]

Does that digital ohmmeter do the same thing as a growler ??

 

[racerone]

I check a lot of outboard starters and the digital ohmeter serves me very well !!!------And I do know what a growler is !

 

[Fed]

I suppose it does boobie, both are testing for winding short circuits but an ohmmeter can also test for a short to ground.
Then there's the 'type' of winding, lap or wave, funny magic stuff goes on and also the resistance readings would be very low which gives problems getting consistent connection readings.

I'd work on the theory if everything else is right it must be a faulty armature.
I've never heard an ohmmeter growl.

somm33
Measure the Voltage between the battery terminal posts while someone hits the key.
Measure the Voltage between the starter motor positive stud and the starter motor case while someone hits the key.
That will tell you if you have a starter motor problem or an external problem.

 

[boobie]

Then I guess it's to each his own !!! I still don't trust checking an armature out without a growler. Was burned on that years ago. But that's another story.

 

[Fed]

If you've got a growler then there's no reason not to use it.

Nearly forgot somm33.
Pull the shift cable trunnion out at the motor end, put the gearcase in neutral (detent?), put the shift handle in neutral and refit the cable trunnion adjusting if necessary.

 

[jakedaawg]

i have a growler. not to be a jerk or anything. but you can pick one up cheap if youre in the right place.

 

[somm33]

Thanks for all the help guys. I was able to rebuild the starter myself (well take it apart and clean it) and it works like a charm now!! The mini bus fuse was blown I replaced it along with a new starter solenoid,I am still stuck with nothing when I turn the key!???? I also discovered that the previous owner had no idea as how to install a control box as my gear and throttle problem stemed from in properly installed position selector. Anymore help with my ignition problem would be great,. I am on the verge of just running a toggle switch as I can kill the motor from the ignition but not start it. I did also order a SEA-LOC manual which should be here soon but any hands on info is great. Thanks again for the help here and in the future!!

 

[Fed]

Can you hear the solenoid click when you turn the key?
If not then measure the Voltage between the 2 small terminals on the solenoid when the key is turned to the start position.

 

[somm33]

Thanks for all the info guys. I was able to take care of the starter problem myself by taking it apart cleaning and lubing everything up and making sure my battery was fully charged. The 50amp mini bus fuse was blown and I replaced that along with a brand new solenoid,but still nothing with the turn of the key?????? I have orderd a sea-loc manual but I am unshure if it will have the proper diagram for my ignition problem? I can kill the boat with the key but not start it???? I also found that my gear and rpm problem was do to a in properly installed selector plate inside the control box.So all is well except the ignition problem. I am on the verge of running a toggle switch to it as we are having so many great days here on Lake Erie and I really wana get out there. Again any and all info would be a big help. Thanks!~!!

 

[eavega]

dumb question, but have you actually tested the key switch? Is it opening and closing the right circuits in each position? By the way, get yourself an OEM service manual for that motor. Those Seloc manuals cover everything from 2-75 HP, from 1967-2000. They tend to have things in more general descriptions, and not so much for any particular motor.

-E

 

[somm33]

eavega No I am ashamed to say I have not measured the contacts in the ignition simply because I do not know how . I have thought that the ignition may be the problem as I have replaced or ruled out all of the other ignition system parts. Any help on that would be great!! Also I did order an Evinrude manual specific for my motor, as you previously stated the one I have now covers more general motors than focusing on one certain kind.