Evinrude 150 1985 interment no start question

Hi all and thanks for the vast amount of information. (First post and sometimes lurker.)

I have a 1985 Evinrude 15o hp outboard.

I was fishing as a boater for the first time in local bass club and almost didn't make it back at weigh in because the engine wouldn't start.

It has the shift handle that pulls out to allow starting at higher rpm.

I tried jiggling and everything I could think of...getting behind the plug for the switch and seeing if any wires were loose. It finally started and I made it back in time. (3 minutes to spare!) I have no idea what I did to finally get it to start.

When loading it died and again wouldn't start.

I think it is something that is loose but can't find it yet.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

Re: Evinrude 150 1985 interment no start question

You may be losing spark to the plugs. Weak ignition components tend to fail once they heat up to normal operating temps. Once the engine cools, it may run again-till it heats up. If you are losing spark, you will need to check the power pack, stator and the timer base. You may find some good troubleshooting info at: cdielectronics.com

Re: Evinrude 150 1985 interment no start question

emdsapmgr said:

You may be losing spark to the plugs. Weak ignition components tend to fail once they heat up to normal operating temps. Once the engine cools, it may run again-till it heats up. If you are losing spark, you will need to check the power pack, stator and the timer base. You may find some good troubleshooting info at: cdielectronics.com

Click to expand...

Thanks. I will look into that.

I was fishing without starting for a couple of hours when it happened the first time which leans me towards loose connection like when you have an older car that only starts when you move shifter up or down. Hope it isn't weak electrical issues...

Just dead, no starter or click noise.

Steve

Re: Evinrude 150 1985 interment no start question

oktex56 said:

Thanks. I will look into that.

I was fishing without starting for a couple of hours when it happened the first time which leans me towards loose connection like when you have an older car that only starts when you move shifter up or down. Hope it isn't weak electrical issues...

Just dead, no starter or click noise.

Steve

Click to expand...

I wanted to emphasize something I was not clear about in my first post.

When I attempted to start the engine there was no starter engaging.

No clicking or any sound whatsoever. Just completely dead when key was turned.

This leads me to think that there is something loose and not making contact for the primary starting circuit.

Perhaps in the shifting mechanism which prevents starting in gear.

Anyone have an idea how to approach this?

Steve

Re: Evinrude 150 1985 interment no start question

oktex56 said:

I wanted to emphasize something I was not clear about in my first post.

When I attempted to start the engine there was no starter engaging.

No clicking or any sound whatsoever. Just completely dead when key was turned.

This leads me to think that there is something loose and not making contact for the primary starting circuit.

Perhaps in the shifting mechanism which prevents starting in gear.

Anyone have an idea how to approach this?

Steve

Click to expand...

Hi Steve,

I think you're on the right track. If you have electrical troubleshooting experience this ought not to be hard to figure out.

If you don't have that experience and do not own at least a 12v test light then it can still be done but it'll take some time to figure out.

There could be something loose as you suggest, but I think it's more akin to something worn-out within the Shifter/neutral safety mechanism on your controller. Also, as silly as this may sound, Check your Battery connectors!!!

Approaches depend on your experience, your tools and so forth.

Re: Evinrude 150 1985 interment no start question

emdsapmgr said:

You may be losing spark to the plugs. Weak ignition components tend to fail once they heat up to normal operating temps. Once the engine cools, it may run again-till it heats up. If you are losing spark, you will need to check the power pack, stator and the timer base. You may find some good troubleshooting info at: cdielectronics.com

Click to expand...

Thanks again emdsapmgr.

Update: I thought I had the issue fixed (found a loose wire on the back of ignition switch) and took the boat out a couple of times. Same problem.

One of our bass club members is a former certified merc mechanic and he told me throw out everything you know about ignition issues on vehicles. He thinks it is a power pack heating up.

I have a Sealoc manual on the engine and have not had the time to test it with an ohmmeter.

Any and all advice is appreciated. I want to fish the upcoming tournament!

Thanks,

Steve

Re: Evinrude 150 1985 interment no start question

If the starter doesn't engage the flywheel then the power pack has nothing to do with it. The next time it happens and you cannot make the starter hit the flywheel hit the choke / primer switch. If the choke / primer works then you know you have power to the switch. If you cannot hear the click then you are losing power somewhere.

Re: Evinrude 150 1985 interment no start question

Ahhhh -- start with cleaning the battery cables (both ends - as in the both ends of EACH cable). Clean means shiny bright and reconnected with appropriate hardware (not wing nuts).

Re: Evinrude 150 1985 interment no start question

Dhadley said:

If the starter doesn't engage the flywheel then the power pack has nothing to do with it. The next time it happens and you cannot make the starter hit the flywheel hit the choke / primer switch. If the choke / primer works then you know you have power to the switch. If you cannot hear the click then you are losing power somewhere.

Click to expand...

I know how it's supposed to sound. I will check that for sure. Thanks

Ahhhh -- start with cleaning the battery cables (both ends - as in the both ends of EACH cable). Clean means shiny bright and reconnected with appropriate hardware (not wing nuts).

I will do that for sure. Battery is connected by nuts, not wing nuts.

Both simple steps.

I have a replacement trim switch that came with the boat. One thing I noticed when it was down was that only the down side worked.

May be loose or corroded conections somewhere.

Thanks to you all and I will keep you posted.

Steve

Re: Evinrude 150 1985 interment no start question

Update,

I did as suggested and guess what?

I found a cracked solenoid. It's cracked almost all the way around the plastic housing.

Of course not sure that is the problem yet until I replace it but as suggested, I am going through the connections and have a dremel tool with a wire wheel attached and taking off each connection and polishing each one until they shine.

Will keep you posted as to progress. (Badly needed rain stopped the progress.)

Steve

Re: Evinrude 150 1985 interment no start question

I did as suggested and polished all connections, found the cracked solenoid which was hidden by the support.

I replaced it and it started great! Took it out a couple of times and happy to report that this was the issue!

Thanks to you all.