starter solenoid on a 1972 Evinrude 50 outboard

[christal]

how do i jump the solenoid to find out if i need to replace the starter?....where do i place the jumper wire?

 

[jtexas]

Re: starter solenoid on a 1972 Evinrude 50 outboard

Your solenoid should have 4 terminals, two large and two small. (if it doesn't, post a reply with a description. a pic would be even better)

One of the large terminals has the red positive battery cable attached; the other has a red cable leading to the starter positive terminal.

Connecting the two large terminals with your jumper wire will connect the starter directly to the battery. You might get a spark or two.

If that makes the starter spin, then the starter is ok.

Otherwise:
One of the small terminals has a black ground wire connected to the engine block. If you use your jumper to connect the *other* small terminal (*not* the ground) to the terminal with the battery cable, it should energize the solenoid and make the starter spin. If it does this, then the problem is in the keyswitch or wiring harness.

WARNING: when you have one end of the jumper wire touching the battery cable, *DO NOT* let the other end touch the engine block or any metal attached to the engine, you will get a huge shower of sparks.

This all assumes you have a good battery, fully charged, and all the connections are clean and tight.

Tip: an automotive alternator/starter repair shop can probably rebuild your starter way cheaper than buying new.

 

[christal]

Re: starter solenoid on a 1972 Evinrude 50 outboard

Your solenoid should have 4 terminals, two large and two small. (if it doesn't, post a reply with a description. a pic would be even better)

One of the large terminals has the red positive battery cable attached; the other has a red cable leading to the starter positive terminal.

Connecting the two large terminals with your jumper wire will connect the starter directly to the battery. You might get a spark or two.

If that makes the starter spin, then the starter is ok.

Otherwise:
One of the small terminals has a black ground wire connected to the engine block. If you use your jumper to connect the *other* small terminal (*not* the ground) to the terminal with the battery cable, it should energize the solenoid and make the starter spin. If it does this, then the problem is in the keyswitch or wiring harness.

WARNING: when you have one end of the jumper wire touching the battery cable, *DO NOT* let the other end touch the engine block or any metal attached to the engine, you will get a huge shower of sparks.

This all assumes you have a good battery, fully charged, and all the connections are clean and tight.

Tip: an automotive alternator/starter repair shop can probably rebuild your starter way cheaper than buying new.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, I followed these directions and got rotation both ways on the starter the small terminal and positive cable for solenoid and both direct battery to starter.

Now for the question, how do I go about finding out if it is the ignition at the shift box or if it is in the wiring harness?...is there a fuse located someplace that is easy to change?

 

[wilde1j]

Re: starter solenoid on a 1972 Evinrude 50 outboard

If the starter operated normally when jumped, likely as not the solenoid is bad.

 

[christal]

Re: starter solenoid on a 1972 Evinrude 50 outboard

wilde1j, did i misunderstand what was typed by jtexas, I thought that by jumping the solenoid with the two positive cables one from the battery and then one from the solenoid to the starter was the way to check to see if starter was good and then going from positive battery cable to small terminal on solenoid checked the solenoid....if I am wrong by that please tell me how to check to see if the solenoid is bad.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: starter solenoid on a 1972 Evinrude 50 outboard

WHAT HE SAID:

"Connecting the two large terminals with your jumper wire will connect the starter directly to the battery. You might get a spark or two.

If that makes the starter spin, then the starter is ok. "

If the above is in fact true, look to the solenoid to be bad.

 

[jtexas]

Re: starter solenoid on a 1972 Evinrude 50 outboard

WHAT HE SAID:

"Connecting the two large terminals with your jumper wire will connect the starter directly to the battery. You might get a spark or two.

If that makes the starter spin, then the starter is ok. "

If the above is in fact true, look to the solenoid to be bad.

Jim, note that I also advised jumpering the small solenoid input terminal to the battery -- this powers up the solenoid -- it's what the keyswitch is supposed to do when you turn the key to the "start" position. Since that also resulted in a successful start, the solenoid must be good; it's just not getting juice through the keyswitch.

Cristal, look for an inline fuseholder on a red wire (may have a purple tracer, I don't remember), running along the port side of the powerhead. Should be a 20 amp fuse -- if that fuse blows, you won't have any power at the keyswitch -- the electric choke and start circuits are both affected.

 

[christal]

Re: starter solenoid on a 1972 Evinrude 50 outboard

Thanks jtexas, I thought I read your post correctly but, wasn't sure. I'll definately look for the fuse, I think I know exactly where it is. I'll keep you posted on what I find.