1988 90hp Evinrude Ignition Question

I'm hoping that one of you guys might be able to help me out...

I've got an '88 90hp Evinrude and I'm experiencing a problem I've never faced before. I'm having problems with the Starter motor staying on after the key had been released and even turned off. The starter stays engaged and keeps cranking with the key turned off and the emergency lanyard released. I was havinig a problem a few weeks ago with the starter not cranking quickly, almost like a dead battery, but the battery was new and fully charged. Took the starter to a rebuilder (who rebuilt this starter a few years ago) who took it apart and said it was fine. I put it back on the engine and replaced the starter solanoid just to be safe. everything was fine. So my question is, what's the problem? Starter? Starter Solanoid? Ingnition Key Switch? or the emergaency lanyard switch?
Thanks in advance for the help.

Re: 1988 90hp Evinrude Ignition Question

A bad battery causes the starter solenoid to short out internally. Install a new battery and a new starter solenoid.

Re: 1988 90hp Evinrude Ignition Question

Joe is right on. Over time, the contacts inside the solenoid deteriorate and can stick closed-transferring current to the starter-even when the ignition key is in the "run" position. That can further drain a good battery and will overheat the starter. A new solenoid should take care of it.

Re: 1988 90hp Evinrude Ignition Question

Just reread your initial post and apparently I either misread or overlooked a couple things. You say the battery IS new and that you've replaced the solenoid, hopefully the starter solenoid is the proper solenoid and is also new. Normally the following (taken from my database) is what causes the starter solenoid to stick.

(Starter Solenoid Sticking)
(J. Reeves)

Sooner or later a boater will encounter a situation wherethe key is released from the START to the RUN position, or to the OFF position and the boater suddenly realizes that the electric starter is still running. This is due to having the starter solenoid sticking in the closed (contact) position. Sometimes a whack to the solenoid will unstick it temporarily but usually it's necessary to remove the cable from the battery.

The cause? A weak battery or even a top notch battery that is running low in power causes a arcing within the solenoid that eventually welds the two opposing large terminals together.... the two opposing terminals being the large incoming positive battery solenoid terminal connection and the large terminal leading from the solenoid to the starter. The return spring with ther solenoid simply isn't strong enough to break that weld resulting in the continued flow of voltage to the starter.

The cure? If the battery is flawed, get rid of it and purchase a top notch battery. And also...... Replace the solenoid. Don't play with it, trusting that it won't happen again because it absolutely will, and that happening is usually in the worse possible scenario. (end)

Now however, you've said that you've replaced the solenoid, and that the battery is new and fully charged. If so, either that solenoid is faulty or the ignition switch has shorted out voltage to the "S" terminal.

Check that "S" terminal of the ignition switch to see that it has voltage applied to it ONLY when the key is in the START position and NOT at any other time. Also check the white wire at the solenoid to see if voltage might be applied to it from some other source.

Loose or tight but dirty cable/wire connections will cause a voltage drop which will simulate/mirror a faulty battery, which in turn will result in a damaged solenoid. To avoid this scenario, perform the following.

Remove all cables and wires associated with the electric starter system, including the battery terminals, solenoid, and the negative ground cable at the powerhead. Clean the cable/wire end terminals and also the components they attach to thoroughly. Reattach the cables/wires and tighten secrurely with a wrench or pliers, not fingers if using wing nuts anywhere.