Starter Problem??

brileym

Recruit
Joined
Jun 27, 2008
Messages
1
I have a 1990 90hp Force outboard that was starting but some time the solinode would just click. Now all it will do is click. I took the starter off and hooked up a hot wire and ground wire and it kicked in. Put it back on and all I get is the clicking again. I noticed that the solinode looks to be off of a car/truck. Would this make any differance? Any suggestions on what I can do to see what part is bad??

Thanks for any help.
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
18,196
Re: Starter Problem??

Take a test light and check it first.Have someone try to choke it and see if you have power to both big terminals.Try to WD-40 the actuator on the carbs.It gets gummed up and needs to be cleaned.Jerry
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Starter Problem??

Disconnect and clean all connections of battery cables to the engine and solenoid. You have classic symptoms of corroded connections.

If that doesn't do it, go to the Engine FAQs and do "Outboard won't start".
 

eurolarva

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
4,182
Re: Starter Problem??

Put a volt meter set to DC volts red lead on the small terminal(probably some kind of yellow wire going to it) and put the black lead on the black lead on the battery. Have someone turn the key to start position and see what the voltage goes up to. Disconnect both big red leads that go to starter and battery and put meter on Ohms range. Touch both big leads with ohm meter. You should read infinite ohms or no load or the same reading you get when nothing is connected to the meter. Next have someone turn key to start position. You should see real close to zero ohms across the two big leads on the starter that the battery and starter were connected to.

Cleaning leads is the first thing you should do. If you read less then 9 volts at the small lead you are creating a voltage divider. What this does is the resistance is so low on the solenoid that only part of the 12 volts is going to the solenoid and the rest is going to the wires and switches. To fix this you will want to clean and shine and tighten starter leads, battery leads, neutral interlock leads, barrier strip leads and the leads going to the ignition. Basically anywhere the yellow wires go they need to be cleaned.
 
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