1989 force engine starting problem

[wilsoncops4]

I have a 1989 force outboard. I am unable to get the motor to start. When I turn the ignition switch all I hear is a click from the engine. The motor has been sitting a while. I took the started off thinking that was the promblem and took it to a shop and had it rebuilt, it had a broken gear on top and the brushes was bad. Since the starter was giving problems before and I knew it needed attention I was thinking this was my problem. But after putting the starter on it still just clicks. Could the be the solenoid, or maybe the wiring.. The battery is new and it it show good amps. The motor is a 1989 force outboard 85 hp. Any info will be appreciated.

 

[JB]

Re: 1989 force engine starting problem

Howdy, Wilson.

Welcome to iboats.

Almost sure to be wiring. More specifically, hidden corrosion in the connections of the battery cables. Worst offender is where the battery ground cable bolts to the engine block, but take both ends of both cables off and scrub them shiny, then reconnect.

Good luck, and let us know.

 

[fucawi]

Re: 1989 force engine starting problem

If the cables had bad battery connections you would get what is called "machine gunning" rapid clicking of the solenoid...While it is a good idea to clean the cables anyway it sounds like your solelnoid contacts .....short out the two big bolt heads with a screwdriver ...if the starter runs then you have a faultly solelnoid....you can open it up and clean the contacts ...drill out the rivits or buy a new one .....

 

[JB]

Re: 1989 force engine starting problem

Well, it could be the solenoid, but this is one of those "if it ain't broke" cases and in over 90% of the "click only" and "starter turns too slow" cases it is corrosion in the ground cable connection.

Cleaning the connections fixes it most of the time, and it is free,

It could also be a bad starter. He hasn't told us of a starter test.

We do not agree on "machine gunning".

 

[wilsoncops4]

Re: 1989 force engine starting problem

I appreciate your information so far!! If you will be kind enough to give me help with the starter test. I am very sure that the starter is good because the man that rebuilt it has been doing starter and rebuilding other things for a long time. I don't know if he tested it after he rebuilt it. It would ease my mind if I could hear it run. I am not new to boating but this is an old boat and I have aways had someone to work on my new stuff in the past. Money is tight now since retired and I am trying to do on my own.

 

[wilsoncops4]

Re: 1989 force engine starting problem

Eureka!!!!! It started Thanks Guys for the information!!!!!!! It was the cables on the soleniod. I took both off and cleaned the both until they shined. Put them back on and it hit the first time. Saved me some money. Thanks again for your help. You guys are good to give of your time. We all appreciate it!!!!!!!!

 

[dryandavis]

Re: 1989 force engine starting problem

I found this information to be very helpful. I had the same issue on my 1991 Force 120 today. All I got was a click. Cleaned everything up from battery to solenoid and still just "click". Performed the suggested tests (short the two solenoid posts) and the starter spun...so figured my solenoid was bad. Tried to fix my solenoid by drilling out the rivets...but ended up breaking the casing while I tried (hey I work on computers...so what can I say). Went down to Marine supply store, purchased a new solenoid (they only had an aftermarket part available, but is was only 35 bucks) and installed. Engine now starts like a champ. I really appreciate this forum and the people who contribute to helping us "newbies".

 

[mooregecko]

Re: 1989 force engine starting problem

My mercury has the same problem and the connections could be the problem. I will clean them tomorrow but one added issue is that the trim and tilt only "click" as well. Onboard charger shows green. I shorted out the sylinoid and the starter didn't turn. Better yet, when I remove the positive for a while, the starter jumps but doesn't engage for what seems like lack of juice. It then does nothing when I turn the key 3-4x. Sylinoid?

Any advice? The Hybrid were schooling and I couldn't get to them.

 

[dryandavis]

Re: 1989 force engine starting problem

I am still new to these engines, but in researching my own, I have another test for you. Because your shorted your solenoid and it didn't turn the starter...its most likely NOT a solenoid issue, but a wiring issue. Take a set of jumper cables and hook make a direct connection from your positive battery terminal to your starter (just momentarily) and it should spin. If this is the case, clean all cables from the battery to where they connect to the solenoid and, as someone commented on another post, the ground to your engine block. because your trim/tilt is having issues as well, I would suspect that this may be your culprit.

 

[JB]

Re: 1989 force engine starting problem

Corrosion in the main battery cable connections will often cause the PT&T to fail as well as the starter. Like the starter, the PT&T motor needs more current than the corroded connections will allow.

 

[jason32038]

Re: 1989 force engine starting problem

JB and dryan are right i ran into this problem a couple of weeks ago...although i didnt fix it yet i did get the engine started with a jumper cable from positive on the battery to the direct starter wire. Note i had the jumper connected to the positive terminal connector not the battery post itself so it must have been the connection of the battery cable in either the terminal on the battery side or the connection to the crimp connector on the solenoid side. I think the citrus all purpose cleaner I washed the powerhead down with has corroded the positive cable...already cleaned the ground and all other wires on the terminals. I was reading voltage at the ignition switch but when I touched the choke and start wires to hot nothing would happen. I did however test the choke and starter with the positive jumper cable and they both worked. TIP...avoid acidic cleaners near wires. It did work great on the powerhead grease and gunk though...lol