No power to the starter

[sbseantherunner]

I have a 1985 Merc 50 EL and have recently begun to have trouble with the starter. I had the starter tested and was told that the bench test was good. came home to reinstall the starter and ignition switch and now the starter won't even try to crank. Double checked all my connections, 12.6 volts at battery, starter solenoid, and starter, but starter doesn't attempt to engage. I'm wondering if it could be the coil, if there is one. It does not have a distributor that I can locate, causing me to wonder if there is a coil. Which leads me to the question of coil function: isn't it used AFTER the engine fires? Someone help me if this sounds at all familiar to you.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Its not a coil. What does the motor do when you try to start it? Does it even turn over? Does the starter even spin? Do you hear the solenoid click?