60 hp Evinrude won't start

[evilwind1]

Hi, I have a 1980 60 HP Evinrude motor on a 16 ft. Winner and for the most part runs great. The other day at the dock it wouldn't start and I just kept cranking till the battery was almost dead, then it started. Now when I go to start sometimes it won't turn over at all. Than I jumped the solenoid with the key on and it cranked right up. And then some times it will start up with no problem at all. The positive cable going to the starter seems like it's moving a little ( nut and bolt) into the starter housing, would that cause malfunction? I'm thinking either the starter switch, dead spot in starter, loose wire. I will check all connections and clean ( battery terminals etc.) But what is the best course of action in trouble shooting something like this? Thankyou.

 

[Kettler]

Re: 60 hp Evinrude won't start

Pushing in the key activates your primer . Do so for 10-30 sec. and then just give the key a quick turn. Don't crank the starter just try short 2 sec. turns a few times.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: 60 hp Evinrude won't start

connect a voltmeter to the starter motor electrical terminal and starter motor frame. Have someone attempt to crank while you observe the voltage. Now connect the voltmeter across the battery terminals. Have someone crank while you observe the voltage. The 2 readings should not differ more that 1 volt. If they do, check for loose or poor cable connections, worn solenoid. Usually poor connections will give themselves away by being hot after a 30 second crank.

If the voltage readings don't vary more than a volt, and cranking speed is bad, the starter and or battery are in question.

Although less common, a seizing driveshaft will also affect cranking. Try rotating the flywheel in a clockwise rotation and feel for extreme resistance.