electrical problem with OMC 4.3L

Good Morning,
I have a 1990 4 Winns OMC 4.3L I/O. Recently the engine began to drag when starting but would fire. Now I can't get it started and my trim up and down does not work either. Battery is fine and bilge pump and lights all work. I can hear a click when turning ignition switch on or when pressing trim switch. The click is not coming from starter solenoid but from area atop engine. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Ironbed

Re: electrical problem with OMC 4.3L

Hey,

I have recently bought an '88 Four Winns with a 4.3 OMC and it have ignition problems the day after I took delivery.

Anyway, I'm good mechanically but not diagnostically and I had a mechanic do a bunch of tests and tell me what to try. I replaced coil, points, condenser and it starts up now. (Now I have to rebuild the Carb)

Anyway, there is a solenoid up on top of the engine when he was giving me what I call the ignition tour that I'm sure one of the pros here will name. But if you're facing the engine it's on your left (same side as starter), right under the shifting cable linkage, and it seems to have major electrical connections and may have something to do with the trim. If I had my manual I'd name it. Also, if you don't have one already, buy a manual, you'll be using it alot. The wiring diagrams would be able to point this thing out in a second.

Re: electrical problem with OMC 4.3L

Hello Cadet,
Yes I do need to get a manual with a wiring diagram!! Meanwhile I found the assist solenoid ( not sure if that is the correct term) on top of the engine, aft of the carburaetor and that has 12 volts across that and there is continuity through it. Meanwhile I cannot jump start the starter by shorting the terminals of the starter solenoid. There is 6 volts across the starter solenoid terminals; I have 12 volts coming into the starter solenoid. It is obvious to me that there is something common to both the trim motor and engine starter and without a wiring diagram not sure if both the start circuit and the trim circuit go through the starter solenoid??
Ironbed