Evinrude wont turn over

[Bassmaster48]

New guy here, went to the ramp last month motor wouldn't turn over [85 evinrude 140hp], checked the obvious with no results and ended up jumping the starter solenoid for the day. Not sure if related but the radio every 5 minutes would get softer and softer until no audio. So as of today I'm about to pull my hair out, I installed a new solenoid without testing the existing one.. dumb and still nothing when turning the key. checked continuity of kill switch and neutral safety which checked out. I have 12v at the key switch terminal B but then have 1v after turning the key. Bought a new key switch, same result. With the key off 12v at B with key on 1v at B and 1v at A. I have power to everything else on the boat and 12v at the battery when turning key to start. Faulty switch, short, something stupid? Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated. Thank you

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

Clean the cable connections from the battery to the motor until you can eat off of them.

 

[oldboat1]

^^But don't eat off of them. Just chew on them to get the corrosion off (personally, I use sandpaper). The ends need to be clean and shiny, beginning with battery cables. It also would be a good idea to take the battery or batteries in for testing (auto parts store).

 

[Bassmaster48]

LOL thank you GA boater & oldboat1 I did clean them with a drill and wire wheel and I cleaned all the terminals at the starter solenoid and key switch with sand paper. I think I do need to take the battery in to be tested, I just figured if I turned the key to start and took a voltage reading at the battery I would see a drop. And I dont want to hear the old bs at the counter yep battery is bad, buy a new one and still have the problem. It's happened to me before. But I'm sure a bad cell would do some wonky things, I'll bite the bullet.

 

[jakedaawg]

Battery cables dont last forever...if battery load tests well may be something to look at.

 

[NexFlix]

Battery cables could be corroded. If your batt is fine, then I'd check that next.

 

[Crosbyman]

if battery is ok then try this


Apply +12 directly to the selenoid control post ......if all ok and starter turns most likely the +12 v from the start key is not strong enough even if it measures 12V at the control post when turning the start key. You need +12 but you also need the amps to get the selenoid coil to pull (close) the internal contact between the fat +12v post to the fat starter post

look for possible corrosion or some resistive path on the control wire between the key post to the selenoid control post


try to run a spare wire directly from the key

START post ​

to the selenoid control post as a fast test

if OK the then original wire to the selenoid is resistive (open frayed whatever)

 

[Bassmaster48]

Thank you, took the battey in to be tested and it is healthy. 12.6v and 725 mca. The purple accessory wire has me confused as to where it goes. According to this picture power comes from the battery to the solenoid to the key switch then through neutral safety back to the solenoid. So when I turn the key I loose all power to the "A" terminal and have no power at the "s" terminal on the key switch. I just dont know where "a" goes to continue troubleshooting the issue. I see in the other attachment accessory runs to the red plug in the outboard. I will disconnect it when I get home and check voltage at the pin in the harness next. Also not sure why but the purple wire was disconnected at the warning horn and wrapped with electrical tape.

 

[oldboat1]

Bear with me, but was the battery actually load tested, or is 725 cranking amps (mca) just the stated rating for your battery?

 

[Bassmaster48]

It measured 725 on a load

 

[racerone]

Check the wee ground wire from solenoid to the block.-------Or use a small jumper wire from battery side of solenoid to the one small terminal on the solenoid.-----Sounds like a wiring problem.-----But then again it could be the brushes worn out if starter is original.-----Some will argue , but I take these starters apart all the time.-----Install new brushes if armature is good.----I have a stock of brushes that I got for $5.50 a set from local starter place ( now closed )---- Like most starter / alternator repair shops.