working on 81 evinrude 35hp, starter question

[vidaliaman]

starter not firing, solenoid has 4 post.... small wire to switch, small black to ground, heavy gauge to starter and heavy gauge to battery, shows 12.6 volts to solenoid on battery cable. shouldn't i be able to jump to test starter? pos. battery cable to small non-ground wire going to switch to bypass solenoid, been a while working on outboards, wondering if bad solenoid.
thanks dave

 

[F_R]

What you suggest is valid. Jump +12V to ungrounded post and solenoid should click and starter crank. Assuming you have the correct solenoid in there and not a look-alike car solenoid.

Can we assume you cleaned the battery terminals? Not just look at them but take them apart and clean them shiny bright? That will fix 90% of starter problems.