Speedy summary:<br /><br />Bought boat and motor - took to river. Will tweaking carbs, idling at the dock for 5-7 minutes, hydro-electric shift popped in forward and never shifted again. Stupidly, I took it out for one more spin at WOT and got a burning smell.<br /><br />Neutral shift solenoid is toast - got perfect continuity between green lead and case ground. When I ran WOT, that short toasted my rectifier (the burning smell).<br /><br />Clipper tested shot, permenantly removed it. Amplifier had been replaced recently by previous owner (still good). Shift diode tests good. Replacing burned rectifier.<br /><br />Discovered ignition switch is magneto type. Purple/green shift 12v wiring was wired to one of the M posts by previous owner. Also, blocking diode had been removed from the shift box. Gearcase must have been getting only 12v from the diode system running off stator wires.<br /><br />Okay, all that being said (and that is the abbreviated version!), why did the shift solenoid blow. Any connection to improper wiring at the ignition switch? I know that the power the solenoids were receiving was not part of the rectified 12v circuit, but the diode on the powerhead is similar design to a rectifier.<br /><br />Anything I should be aware of or got wrong?? Thanks!