Evinrude won't start

Jim Putnam

Cadet
Joined
Jun 20, 2007
Messages
8
I have a 1998 50hp Evinrude on a poontoon. Motor has less than 100 hours run time. Three time with the last year, the boat would not start during launch. Battery is hot--starter turns the motor great--pleanty of gas. With a check light, I discovered no fire to the coils. Not being an expert marine mechanic, I did the typical--I "jiggled" the wiring harness around the coils and the motor starts great. My marine store saysthat"jiggling" the wires had no effect, yet the boat started. They mentioned the "kill switch". Just where is ths located on my motor and how do I check? Thanks.:confused:
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Evinrude won't start

if you are in salt water, corroded and dirty connections are common. the black yellow wire on the power pack is the kill wire. make sure all the connections are clean and tight. the kill switch is the ignition, unless you have a kill lanyard also. corrosion in the main connector harness.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Evinrude won't start

The kill switch is located just below the ignition key on the control box. It should have a coiled lanyard attached to it that hooks to your clothing. It kills the engine if you get pitched overboard while under way. The engine doesn't know you are missing so unless the kill switch is activated, it goes on its merry way without you. They have been known to get intermittent.
 

iwombat

Captain
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
3,767
Re: Evinrude won't start

You just jiggled?

You gotta blow on it to get it to work.

:)
 
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