Bad Ignition

[crestlinermusky]

I have a 1975 Evinrude 115 hp that was running like a top until today.
It seems that when \I turn the key, I hear electric shorting under the flywheel, each time I turn the key the motor will turn over intermittently. Meaning that 1 time it will turn over, and the next time it won't, also the negative ground battery cable is heating up red hot.
Anyone's thoughts before I tear her open

Mark

 

[TampaBoater]

Id restrain from trying to start it if neg if getting red hot. Do a visual check of the motor compartment and see if any wires are stripped and shorting. If not then take fly wheel off and inspect stator and timer base. Its obviously something to do with an electrical component so start with that.

 

[crestlinermusky]

Ok, inspected the original negative ground wire, the one that was heating up. I changed it and now the motor turns over without the wires heating up.
Just need to get it started now. checking for spark on all four cyl and I hope all is good
will post results later

 

[crestlinermusky]

Ok, checked spark, all is good. Motor started right away and once again runs beautifully
Cannot believe that a bad ground wire could bring the whole thing down.
Thanks for everything

 

[glenn property of pam]

wasted energy is turned in to heat when it comes to electrical items. If your connections/wire is bad and heats up then its using power that was meant to go to the starter. The sound you heard is probably the high pitch rattle of the solenoid as its closing then as the voltage drops it opens and repeats hundreds of times a second.