Starting solenoid doesn’t work

scottgrissom

Cadet
Joined
Jun 2, 2005
Messages
16
Hi,<br />I hoping someone can help me out with this problem. Recently my motor stopped turning over. I heard a clicking noise in the solenoid so I figured that it when bad (it was very old). So I changed it out but I'm still having the same problem with the new one. I just here a clicking noise in the solenoid. I might try to bypass the solenoid with jumping cables but I'm not sure how to do this. All the wires are tight and the battery is charged. I just don't know what else to check. I would appreciate suggestions on what to try. Also thanks to everyone who has offered help.<br /><br />Scott
 

BoatBuoy

Rear Admiral
Joined
May 29, 2004
Messages
4,856
Re: Starting solenoid doesn’t work

To bypass the solenoid, simply connect a jumper cable from the positive battery terminal to the lug on the side of the starter motor where the large cable connects that normally goes to the solenoid. No need to disconnect anything. Stay clear of flywheel and starter gears when doing this. <br /><br />If starter motor is OK, battery is OK, and negative connection is OK, starter will engage flywheel and turn motor over.
 

CATransplant

Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
6,319
Re: Starting solenoid doesn’t work

Solenoids click. That's how they work. The clicking indicates that it's working. That's why the new one didn't work. The old one was probably OK, too.<br /><br />Once you jump to the starter, you'll probably find that it's the problem, if the connections are all clean and tight.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Starting solenoid doesn’t work

Tell us what engine you have, Scott.<br /><br />Your problem is probably a corroded connection where the battery ground cable is bolted to the engine block.<br /><br />Go to Engine FAQs and do the troubleshooting in "Outboard wont start".
 

scottgrissom

Cadet
Joined
Jun 2, 2005
Messages
16
Re: Starting solenoid doesn’t work

The motor is a 1978 65hp Evinrude. I tried bypassing the the solenoid by connecting a jumping cable from the battery to the top of the solenoid (where the power cable from the starter connects) with no luck. Do you think it is possible that the starter went out. It is real old. If so is there a way to check it. Thank for the responses so far.<br /><br />Scott
 

scottgrissom

Cadet
Joined
Jun 2, 2005
Messages
16
Re: Starting solenoid doesn’t work

I forgot to mention that all the connects are tight and there is no corrosion from the ground cable.<br /><br />Scott
 

jtexas

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 13, 2003
Messages
8,646
Re: Starting solenoid doesn’t work

Follow the steps here to narrow the problem down. Could be the starter, could be corrosion where the starter bolts to the engine block.<br /><br />Starter went out on my '79 couple years ago, I took it apart, blew out all the carbon dust, put it back together, no problems since. The directions were in the Seloc manual. Good luck.
 
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