1985 Force 85hp no power to starter or choke selenoid

[bonapetit2]

Hi all,
had my boat out yesterday and it left me a mile up river after I couldn't get it started to leave from my fishing hole. Force engine model 856x5L, started fine after launching...sat and fished for an hour then when I went to leave it had a hard time firing up, turned over for a minute then nothing. I couldn't even get then starter to turn over or the choke to activate. So I swicthed batteries with the same results. The rest of the electronics on the boat are in working order except the stereo, which pulls it's power from the ignition key...so my guess would be a problem with the ignition key mechanism??
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Philip

[roscoe]

There is a circuit breaker on the motor, it may have blown during the attempt to start.

Number 38 on the diagram below.

[bonapetit2]

I'll get on it....thanks for the quick reply Roscoe!

Philip

[bonapetit2]

OK,
Fuse was popped, I reset the breaker and hooked up the muffs and tried starting. Started hard, but had to choke engine manually b/c when I would depress key to activate choke the breaker would pop again. Bad choke selenoid?? or an underlying electrical problem?

Philip

[roscoe]

Good question.

You can test the choke solenoid by jumping current directly to it, from the battery.

Could also be that the breaker is getting old and weak, and will pop under a little load.

[bonapetit2]

How would I jump current from the battery to the selenoid safely...without damaging the selenoid inadvertently?
Thanks for your advice once again

Philip

[roscoe]

power to the solenoid won't damage it.
But be very very careful of sparks and gas fumes.

[bonapetit2]

OK,
Tested solenoid...and it's shot.
The website where I thought I could order a new one from has discontinued this item.
So the search begins ...

[roscoe]

ARCO part sw924




Solenoid:
http://shop.torresen. com/ships_store/index.php?p=details&mfc=ARCO&sku=SW924&frm=g

Plunger:
http://shop.torresen. com/ships_store/index.php?p=details&mfc=ARCO&sku=PA924&frm=g

[bonapetit2]

Thanks Roscoe,
Since I last posted I was able to track one down from an outfit in connecticut.
If it doesn't work out I'll use this website you've provided.