Starter Cable for 71 Evinrude 18

[Oregon Jon]

Hi again:

Finally got my project boat out on the water this weekend and everything ran great. One problem though is the starter cable on one of the motors. Where the cable plugs into the motor has been cut into, spliced and respliced many times and is to the point that it really should be replaced. Can I purchase a replacement plug and re-attach to the existing wires or do I need to replace the entire cable? Either way, where do I get it? There are no marine stores near me. I looked on iboats with no luck. Thanks in advance

 

[F_R]

Re: Starter Cable for 71 Evinrude 18

I don't have the '71 parts book, but the '72 uses cable part number 385158, listed as no longer available. You might try sea-way.com or discount-marine-parts.com
The plug doesn't come off the cable, you have to buy the whole thing.

 

[Oregon Jon]

Re: Starter Cable for 71 Evinrude 18

Thanks for the info. I looked at the two sites you mentioned with little more than no luck. Checked out a few others with the same result: NLA. Does anyone know what other years would work so I can try to find a used one?

 

[hammerhandle]

Re: Starter Cable for 71 Evinrude 18

If worse comes to worse you can make your own cables, i did on my 63' 18hp. Mine was a basket case and i didnt want to spend a fortune replacing the cables with the originals. I used heavy battery cables, you can get at walmart or possibly from iboats. Got a red for positive and black for negative in the lengths i needed, i think they make them to about 72" if you need that much depending on your battery location. They make the cables for either top post or side mount batteries.I put a rubber grommet in the motor housing to protect the wires going through the motor.

 

[Oregon Jon]

Re: Starter Cable for 71 Evinrude 18

OK, sounds reasonable but what about the other 4 to six smaller wires? Got any pictures of what you did? I'm still curious what other year cables would fit.

 

[hammerhandle]

Re: Starter Cable for 71 Evinrude 18

The motor i have has the starter switch on the motor itself . Im not sure what set-up you have.Im assuming you have it on a console in the middle of the boat. if that is the case you can either use your existing wire or buy new wire and route all of them in a protective wire loom back to the motor.I will try and get a pic , i never posted one on here so be patient till i figure it out. My starter switch has 4 wires hooked up to it. plus the 2 for the battery for atotal of 6 alltogether. just remember to take pics and draw diagrams of what wires and where they go.you may have to get some wire, connectors and crimpers if you dont have any tools. this isnt a hard job to do just takes time . ,,,,,,ps i think there is a link below to add pics i will post back later after i snap some photos.

 

[hammerhandle]

Re: Starter Cable for 71 Evinrude 18

Just a thought on reading your original post. they do make quick disconnects for wires.The smaller wire disconnects can be found at most hardware or automotive stores like auto zone or advance auto. The battery cables disconnects might take some searching but they do make them. What Gauge battery wire do you have, if you can tell.??

 

[Oregon Jon]

Re: Starter Cable for 71 Evinrude 18

My setup has an ignition key on the console in the middle of the boat. Probably best if I take a picture or two myself. Maybe we can learn together

 

[hammerhandle]

Re: Starter Cable for 71 Evinrude 18

Jon : i sent a pm message for your email address, i boats will only allow 97kb for a jpeg file

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Starter Cable for 71 Evinrude 18

For the 4 smaller wires you can use a standard trailer wiring disconnect plug. Real cheap and available at ant auto store.