starting trouble

luckyman1

Cadet
Joined
Apr 18, 2014
Messages
13
Does anyone know how often the neutral switch goes out on an 87 85 hp force?Just trying to eliminate things before I buy a new ignition switch.Thanks guys.
 

SkiDad

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 18, 2010
Messages
1,518
the switch should be depressed when in neutral. Does jiggling throttle help ? Have you tried pulling throttle base towards you and then pushing it forward to start ? what does it do when you try to start ?
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,657
Test parts before replacing them, or you will be replacing random parts for months.

History of engine? New to you? Or was it running, and now won't start?

Do you have spark at the plugs?
Compression?
 

Jiggz

Captain
Joined
Oct 23, 2009
Messages
3,817
One way to find out, either read resistance between the two wire connections when throttle is in neutral or better yet, use a small alligator jumper between the two wires and if the starter cranks over, then you know the switch is not positioning correctly or is faulty.
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
17,924
In 30 years I've seen 1 go bad.
Usually the cables/switch need adjusting.

Put it in N
Remove the cowl.
Look at the switch and see how it's oriented to the cam.
It should be riding on the center of the cam.

To test. Put in F
Unhook the leads from the switch.
Hook a meter on the switch connectors.
Push the button in.
That should show continuity.
 

luckyman1

Cadet
Joined
Apr 18, 2014
Messages
13
Thanks guys still haven't figured out why this thing wont start but the choke works when I push it in, but nothing else.Ive got the ignition switch wired right. even bought a new one .still nothing.1987 85 hp force.All ive done is work on this in 2 yrs ive had it.depressing......
 

SkiDad

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 18, 2010
Messages
1,518
have you tried jumping the solenoid ? you can jump it with a piece wire between the red closest to the front and either yellow - you can do this with the key off just to test to see if the starter will turn the motor over. If you don't get any clicking sounds the solenoid might be bad.

if that turns you over then try jumping both sides of the neutral switch and then crank it over.
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
17,924
So what IS it doing and what IS it NOT doing?
If the chokes working and the motors not turning over.
Get a test light.
Hook to a good ground on the motor.
Then have someone turn the key as you test.
Test at the Yellow/black at the solenoid.(neutral safety switch,maybe)
Then test the red lead on both sides of the solenoid. Power on 1 side(bad solenoid)
Red lead to the starter. Power there? Still no turn? (Bad starter)

Check all grounds and connections.
 
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