1971 50 HP Evinrude Solonoid or Neutral Switch Problem

[w2much]

Good AM. Decided to restart my motor the other day and this is what happened. Turned the key and it started right up IN GEAR as it should not have.I found a bolt stuck in the control box which permitted this to happen I presume. Now here is the problem.When I turn the key the starter does not engage. The solonoid makes no sound. The electric choke still operates as it should though. I have the engine in nuetral but when I turn the key, nothing.If I jump the solonoid it will crank and start. What is the procedure for testing the nuetral start switch and the solonoid. I would like to rule out one or the other B4 replacing either.I will post my findings at the end of the day to let you all know how it went. Enjoy your Easter if you celebrate it.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1971 50 HP Evinrude Solonoid or Neutral Switch Problem

Take a look at the safety switch on the engine W2...it's in back of the throttle lever on the side of the block. This keeps you from starting the engine with too much throttle. Simple affair, little button switch rides against a cam on the throttle lever. Make sure it's depressed all the way in. You can test this switch just by jumpering the two terminals on it. White wire going to and from the switch....if I recall the colors right..... <br /><br />The safety in the control box (either push button Rude or built in switch Johnny) has the safety "Start In Neutral" built into the shift switch. Did you find out where the the bolt came from? Which control box do you have?

 

[w2much]

Re: 1971 50 HP Evinrude Solonoid or Neutral Switch Problem

The bolt was an old mounting bolt, not a part from the control box itself. The control box is an Evinrude push button. I did not know that there was a seperate switch inside the push button gear switch. I may need to bypass this switch also if the other two options do not solve the problem. How can this be done? Thank you for your reply.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1971 50 HP Evinrude Solonoid or Neutral Switch Problem

Hope I can recall this right......there should be a wire from the "S" terminal of the igniton switch running to the shift switch. The returning wire should be the same color and go into the wire harness going back to the engine. I think I got it right...... <br /><br />I would not recomment bypassing the neutral switch, save for testing only.<br /><br />For testing, just disconnect the wire going to the switch and connect the wire going to the harness up to the "S" terminal on the ignition switch.

 

[w2much]

Re: 1971 50 HP Evinrude Solonoid or Neutral Switch Problem

Just for testing. Thank You OBJ. Will post this PM. Just got my tools out and the wife found a few other honey do's.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1971 50 HP Evinrude Solonoid or Neutral Switch Problem

Only a few things in this world more important than "honey do's"......just can't think what they are right now.

 

[w2much]

Re: 1971 50 HP Evinrude Solonoid or Neutral Switch Problem

When the Honey Do's were done I snuck off to my motor armed with the insight of this thread. Just to let you all know I did not need to mess with the control box ignition wires at all. My neutral safety switch on the block had only one wire going to it. The connector on the bottom was missing. This prevented the solonoid from having a ground. Rigged a connector and 4" of wire, connected both ends, one to the switch and one to the block and voila turn the key and we had ignition. So now all of that works, I am grateful for the information shared here on this site. I do wonder though how on earth the thing cranked up and started the first time? There was no ground to the solonoid coming from that neutral safety switch. Odd, but I will not lose sleep over it. Thanks Again.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1971 50 HP Evinrude Solonoid or Neutral Switch Problem

Hmmmmm....took a look in my book of wiring diagrams. The metal part of the safety switch is the ground. Apparently the contact with the engine block was lost. Maybe clean it up and reset the screws holding it to the block.<br /><br />Sorry 'bout that......but glad ya' found the trouble anyhow......