wont crank

[steplift20]

my 1984 50 hp o.b broke down this weekend and i would like to know if anyone knows how to test the starter solenoid? it starts by hand wihth the rope but wont crank at all

[Franco]

Basics first - two parts to a starter - starter motor and a starter solenoid - the solenoid is a big switch that, when energized sends current to the starter motor. should be two wires at the starter. The bigger of the two wires supplies voltage to the starter motor. It should have voltage all the time. The smaller wire gets voltage when the switch is rotated to the start position. Does it just click when trying to start, or nothing at all. If it does nothing at all, it's probably missing voltage to at least the solenoid, if not both. Confirm that it has battery voltage ( 12V DC ) at both places. If it's just at the big wire, you can take a piece of wire and jump from the big wire terminal to the small wire terminal - if it engages you have either a switch or wiring problem. If it just clicks it could be just a solenoid or in some caes both. I hope i didn't confuse you.

[Blue_Runner]

What's the problem then? I've been crankin my 70hp Evinrude with a rope for 2 years now! Its great exersize! ;D

Just addin to Franco's post - two big wires on each side of solenoid. When standing on the port side looking at the solenoid, you can unhook the right hand wire (not the one going from solenoid to starter). It should be hot with the key switch on. So, you can take that wire and place it on the starter where the left side wire on the solenoid connects to the starter. It'll prolly be at the bottom. Count to three and touch it on there. It should fire up.

Oh yea, what kind of motor is it?

[macojoe]

Yae what they said!

[Blue_Runner]

By the way, forgot to mention that if you know that wire is hot, but it still won't turn the starter - I'd suspect the starter - but first make sure the ground wire for the starter isn't corroded and has a goooood connection.

If it does start that way, it could be the wire from the solenoid to the starter, the solenoid fuse, bad key switch or the solenoid itself.

Check that fuse first! Also, word of caution - if you do unhook the wire on the solenoid, be careful not to over-tighten when putting it back. They will strip in a heartbeat! I've done it! :o Good luck and let us know!

[phatdaddy]

ditto on the starter ground connection. changed 2 starters once before undoing and cleaning ground. found out by taking a meter reading to the block and then to the starter ground and noticed a 4 volt difference.

[steplift20]

i wish you guys where here you all sound like you know what your talikung about.a little confussing id say so but ill try it and go one sentence at a atime thanx

[rb437]

Don't forget to check your battery connections. Loose or corroded battery connections could cause a no start condition even though there is plenty of power for other less demanding things like lights.