Outboard does not start - turning key does nothing - starter solenoid troubleshoot / bypass.

Replacement Solenoid Amazon Link:
amzn.to/2Tp16ah
STARTER FITS SOLENOID SWITCH JOHNSON OMC EVINRUDE OUTBOARD 383622 395419 582708 586180 47886 47886T 18-580
Update: as many mentioned be sure to check the neutral safety switch. If the motor spins and does not start it could just be that.
Be sure to check which version fits your boat, the device is easy to replace and cheap. If it looks rusted and bad, just get a new one.
The solenoid is a critical component in the starting of an engine. In salt water it is common for these to rust / or simply 1 wire to fall off due to rust. This causes the engine to not start. It is an easy thing to troubleshoot / check if you are out in the water and trying to figure out what is wrong.
When turning the ignition key you should hear a clicking sound. This is the solenoid engaging. If there is no click it means the key is not allowing power to get through to the starter. Most of the time it is not the solenoid itself that is broken but simply the ignition cable which activates the solenoid. If the solenoid does not receive a positive voltage to initiate, it will do nothing.
You can a small wire to test and see if this is the issue.

[@Float_501]

Man you the Goat! I was getting nothing from the key switch. Checked my solenoid cables and the ground was loose. Tightened it up and she’s cranking again. Thanks!

[@818Pacomero]

Without a doubt, one of the best tutorials I have had the pleasure of watching. It gets straight to the point. Tells me how to fix a certain problem. Without all the soapbox, personal opinions and grandstanding. Thank you.

[@helencooper8894]

Mlm

[@redkarengeneration5842]

My boat starter was stuck by flywheel

[@BlueGillage]

Amen.

[@andrewross4080]

Thanks mate we were stuck out in the bay, watched this video and luckily we had some spare wire and used your method and then BANG we re up and running. Ya legend 😀

[@justinperkins4469]

I have a similar issue. But I do get the click. That tells me the solenoid is okay. That the issue is the starter? Thankyou for making this video

[@justinperkins4469]

I have a similar issue. But I do get the click. That tells me the solenoid is okay. That the issue is the starter? Thankyou for making this video

[@follyjim2652]

Good straight forward advice,thank you.

[@JohnDoe-le8fy]

Great video and excellent information! Thanks so much!

[@amat515]

Great video sir. Short and helpful. Thanks

[@Bub61fd]

Like your on the water fixes, simple to understand and to fix.

[@cenkaetaya]

I should make a playlist of on-the water fixes.

[@burningredsun]

Very informative tutorial. I believe I have a bad neutral safety switch that's intermittent. This should help! .

[@cesarejosephvitale3073]

Thank you for your help my starter solenoid wires are broken from corrosion. I will try this on my 50 HP Evinrude outboard

[@tyslink]

I have an issue with my solenoid not getting any power when the key is turned...nothing happens at all, no click, nothing. I just assumed it was a bad solenoid, but of course when I swapped it out for a new one still the same issue....wish I had come across this video sooner. It must be an issue between the key and the power to the solenoid...owning an old boat can be frustrating, but you do end up learning a lot along the way. I inherited it from my uncle right before he passed and I've been trying to get it out on the lake since. My wife keeps telling me to just sell it, but I won't be happy until I get it fully operational and do at least a few days of fishing in it!

[@cenkaetaya]

It's probably a wire in the controller. Also check the little wire that activates the solenoid. I got a good video showing the controllers with a diagram.

[@coffeedollsvp]

Great Teacher!

[@justwondering3832]

Awesome and simple

[@carlkoch6460]

Excellent info.

[@larrys9113]

Very helpful. Thank you. My boat went thru Ian. Still on lift. I have power as engine trims up, horn blows, bilge pump runs but no click when I turn key ? Worried salt water got in / over engine. Boat seems ok some water pumped out with bilge but inside of boat looks ok. Marina power out so can’t lower boat but can get to engine ok from boat.

[@antleg88]

Thank you, you save me in the sea❤

[@westcoastprojects01]

Hi . Awesome video . I have this issue when the engine gets warm . Will start on the button when cold . If I turn the motor off it won't start till its cold again . I turn the key and there is nothing . Almost like a thermal cutout has kicked in . Could this be the solenoid causing mu issue

[@CaptDonMc]

What are the two red wires on the top of the Solinoid? My boat had no start when I turned the key and no trim...I wiggled a small red wire like them two at the battery and everything was fine. I haven't looked at it yet but I'm thinking that small red wire to the battery is the culprit.

[@bouldernelsonbigfoot]

great vid

[@ANDYYSHAWW118]

Hi, can i use a Trim solenoid for a starter motor solenoid?

[@Alfredo935]

I can move mi trim up and down but no Power on my dash do you think this can be my problem ?

[@Mjones8383]

I'm dropping voltage in start position the wire from the fuse is causing it but don't show any sign of a short with a multi meter. What is that 30 Amp fuse by the starter for. It also will not jump across.

[@steveleston1848]

I'm wanting to connect a momentary 12VDC switch to observe the spark plug tester bulb. I will jump the yellow to the reds ontop. thanks

[@YungFlipFlop243]

Thank you for the vid! My signal wire in this case happens to be receiving voltage when the ignition is turned but still does nothing. Not even a click. When I jump the gap with a screwdriver it turns the starter motor just fine. Any ideas?

[@cenkaetaya]

Be sure to check the ground as well from the solenoid. If it's doing the click and working when you jump it with a wire there's some sort of not complete circuit going on. It's possible the solenoid is just dead.

[@tbenson5966]

If that’s bad will it blow fuses?

[@scottskinner3533]

Quick question I have 11 volts going into my solenoid and when cranking in only getting 6 volts going to the starter starter and solenoid are both new The starter spins but won’t pop up to engage the flywheel Any suggestions...please

[@cenkaetaya]

Probably not enough current. The connectors and the wire need to be very thick.

[@elijahboyett8590]

Could be a bad load from the battery. Autozone tests load for free

[@jus10m0]

Working through starting issues on my 75 Evinrude 50HP....turning the key gets me a single *click* sound from the engine. I can jump the starter and it extends the shaft and cranks, but not response from turning the ignition. I'm at a loss as far as starter vs starter solenoid vs ignition/key. Any advice? If I'm getting the click does that mean the solenoid is good? And since I can jump the starter directly, the starter is good, right?

[@jus10m0]

Oh, and batteries are good. Running dual, tried one, then the other, and both...no luck.

[@salvatorelivreri]

I have a motor that stopped turning on about two weeks ago, it will click once quietly when I turn the key (not like a car that will go click-click-click-click). Battery fully charged 13.06V, safety latch secure, boat feels in neutral (but maybe a sloppy neutral safety switch). When they key is held, should the solenoid continue to click or click just once? If the solenoid clicks normally, it would seem to be a connection problem after the solenoid on the way to the starter. Or do you think a fuse?

[@cenkaetaya]

I think it won't continuously click as it's expected to work. However each time you turn key you should hear it. It's possible it'd not opening all the way. If you had someone else test the power flow to starter with multimeter itl probably give you a more definitive answer.

[@salvatorelivreri]

@@cenkaetaya thanks. It ended up being the easiest thing. The battery contacts needed cleaning, despite not being obviously corroded.

[@4lexccs]

Hi, very good video bro! Thanks a lot for that, you help a lot of people..Probably you can help me, my problem is the switch is bad, I don’t have power in the selenoid and in the engine, I jump the this selenoid and the starter move good, but I don’t have spark in the engine,. You know how can jump the switch to put electricity in the CDI? thanks

[@cenkaetaya]

Make sure it's not the neutral safety switch.

[@4lexccs]

Hello Everyone ok, today in the afternoon I check again that.. thanks

[@4lexccs]

@@cenkaetaya thanks a lot bro, I open the control box and jump the swicht and start good! I need replace the key swicht and the neutral swicht, regards

[@bigoldcloser]

My issue is every now and then my remote control shifter will not lock into neutral. So, I turn the key and get nothing. Will this work even if the motor is not in neutral? If he needs to be in neutral (or maybe for safety it should be in neutral), is there a way to manually put the motor into neutral? Thanks!

[@dpdys1]

Did you work this out?

[@viktorcieslik3302]

I have a similar issue where I’ll go boating, anchor for a bit and when I’m ready to leave the engine won’t turn on. I’ll sit there for a few more minutes, turn the key and it’ll start as if nothing happened. Do you think this is the same issue?

[@cenkaetaya]

Start as in turning the key will do nothing? or it'll turn over but not start? If its turning over try pressing the key in a bit before turning it or while. You should hear a little click when you press it in. This will get the fuel to inject past the carbs and should get it going.

[@viktorcieslik3302]

@@cenkaetaya start as in it’ll crank and turn over. But there’s times where I’ll turn the key and it won’t crank but an audible click comes from the solenoid. I think it might be the solenoid from the starter that’s going bad.

[@cenkaetaya]

@@viktorcieslik3302 Does it sound like its trying to turn over slowly, and not turning, or just clicking and nothin else? If so its probably just the solenoid.

[@isaiahhoffer9507]

I'm getting no click when I turn the key.

[@ethanschwab-lo1cl]

ever figure it out?

[@TheDrEBLUES]

Nice video - if solenoid is engaging (clicking) does that mean its the starter?

[@cenkaetaya]

I would check to make sure the starter is getting power during the clicking.

[@adriandelgado1494]

What do you think we should check next if it does click

[@aaronskiles87]

I just got a new battery that was recommended for my motor. When I flip the key, it just clicks. But that’s it. But when I take power straight from the battery to the solenoid, the crank on the starter lifts up to the fly wheel but doesn’t spin powerful enough to get it started. What would this mean?

[@littlefroggy5664]

@@aaronskiles87 I am having same issue. Did you find out an answer to your problem?

[@commonroad572]

My is same too, click each turned key. Let me know when you find answer.

[@aaronskiles87]

Cesar Gonzalez make sure all cables and contacts are fully in tact and making the best contact possible.

[@cenkaetaya]

If you hear clicking but you dont see the starter spin. This means there is some electrical problem between the starter and battery. If anything you should see the same thing if you turn the key / jump it. All you are doing is allowing electricity to flow to the motor. It needs a lot of current to start.

[@quaileggsvermont]

I didn't hear where that yellow wire went to? Mine goes no where! Just a dead end!

[@cenkaetaya]

To the ignition. When you turn the key it engages this wire causing the motor to start and when you stop turning it it disengages it because it's already running.

[@mauriciojimenez5191]

My boat will crank but will not start but the spark plugs do not make spark I don't know whats wrong with the spark plugs I checked them and their good

[@cenkaetaya]

Check coils, and power pack.

[@gbhendrix]

got stuck on the water today due to something with the ignition. bought it used, was told the ignition was replaced last season. key just kept slipping its location and i had to keep tightening the plastic nut on the outside of the faceplate. is there a more permanent fix ? i took it out of the dash and the wires were completely twisted up. new boat owner - thanks

[@cenkaetaya]

Sounds like the face plate is just loose. Possibly fix up the wires and get it in there good.

[@matthewcamp5630]

I tried bypassing the solenoid, (no key in ignition idk if that has anything to do with it) and still nothing.. The battery started arking on the positive side, any idea what it means?

[@cenkaetaya]

Is the engine grounded properly to the motor?

[@ernestocortes2903]

Got the same problem but my is sitting in my backyard, will try it now to see what happens

[@truswalch9743]

?

[@scottyp573]

So if I connect a wire from the positive to the small positive post the motor starts , but if I turn the key nothing happens , where do I look for the issue ? I can’t find a break in the wire leading to the small positive post

[@helencooper8894]

By

[@MikeDatsyuk]

How do you shut off the engine afterwards?

[@cenkaetaya]

You could use the kill switch.

[@kambo209]

I have same problem turn out that neutral safety switch is bad. It's now bypass.

[@ramondwall5151]

How do you bypass

[@sexiiilexiii2339]

@@ramondwall5151should be two wires (probably yellow or white) connected to transmission. They are most likely on opposite side of where shift cable is. Just connect them together

[@pontraellellison3841]

I got the clicking noise so i bypassed solenoid and it didnt respond ordered new starter it fired right up

[@xxxreperxxx6455]

What if its just clicking multiple times in a row

[@JasonDainter]

I had this exact issue. (Clicked but solenoid was dead on the water). Little tip if you are without a suitable thick cable you can use the existing one on the bottom to bypass (someone has to turn the key also so I believe you need to be two people). I filmed it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/poW9Z3-qbbeWb6Msi=bcpY8M-lo_t9ed_L

[@leronartis8234]

Mine does that but trim won't work either

[@kurtiscloutier5686]

I get a click but nothing jumped my starter off the battery it spins so starter i I don’t think is bad

[@cunningtonalonzo7214]

what causes them to fall off

[@cenkaetaya]

Salt water and salt air from the ocean.

[@shegocrazy]

Could a solenoid be causing the delay before starter cranks? There is probably 2 second delay between turning key and the starter motor activating. To date it has always started the motor but it's concerning me now that it's going to fail. The battery is fine.

[@debraperez7826]

My pontoon winstar but it will clck

[@samtate1260]

I got that same problem in my my driveway it was turning I made sure it was in neutral now It won’t do nothing it’s like turning air

[@samtate1260]

It was a fuse now it turns over but no spark

[@truswalch9743]

@TheMarkieMarkShow I get no click as well whined earlier can’t even hear now

[@surfizzy]

Where do I find the fuses

[@patrickproductions3859]

When I turn the key to my motor nothing happens, no clicking no nothing. What do you think the problem is? Could it possibly be the battery?

[@cenkaetaya]

It could just be totally dead. I'd be sure to charge it or get a charger. Maybe see if the boat lights turn on?

[@patrickproductions3859]

Hello Everyone well you see it was working a couple minutes before it totally stopped working so that’s why I’m confused

[@cenkaetaya]

@@patrickproductions3859 check the fuse under the cowling.

[@elijahkelly8431]

@@cenkaetaya same thing happened to me. No blown fuses. Stopped mid key turn, all connections good but wiring harness getting no power and the yellow red ignition wire isn’t getting any power with the key turned to start. Opinions?

[@cenkaetaya]

@@elijahkelly8431 Id disconnect the harness and test with a multimeter until there is power before going to the controller. If the motor is connected to the battery and none of the wires have power coming from the harness clearly a connector just fell off or is in terrible shape. If you look at the wiring diagram more then 1 wire will have power that you can test. If it stopped mid key its possible the solenoid start wire just fell off.

[@caydencheney3219]

yo you tryna come help me get my boat started i’ll buy you a case of beer and i’ll do the wrenching just need you to tell where and how high

[@cenkaetaya]

Lol, near Boston?

[@leronartis8234]

My trim and engine gets no power everything else works

[@CaptDonMc]

I had that problem last night...I wiggled the wires going to the starting battery and it started working...did you find the issue?

Nice content! Keep it up! Would you like to be KZbin friends? :)

[@elijahboyett8590]

Got a tricky one here. Solenoid used to click but starter would rarely turn. I had the starter rebuilt but same thing happened. I took the connections off the solenoid and cleaned them and now there is no click. Got a new solenoid and same thing is happening. Idk if there is something wrong with the ignition switch or if I have a faulty wire connecting to the solenoid. If I touch the positive wire from the starter to the bottom wire of the solenoid everything works. Any thoughts?

[@cenkaetaya]

Id check the wiring, often on those big old cables they can look okay but be totally corroded inside. The engine needs lots of voltage to start / starter. Its almost always the wiring.

[@elijahboyett8590]

@@cenkaetaya I got a new solenoid put in a while back and it fixed the problem

[@fredkeele6578]

​@@elijahboyett8590 hey there. Our boat has been sitting at Marina for almost a year. Took fresh battery to it, and selenoid clicks, but starter does nothing. No click , but selenoid does. Did your selenoid click, but no noise from starter? Going back and taking jumper wires to check out, because we're bringing it home to sell. Then can replace selenoid if that's the case. Just curious if yours had same scenero or not

[@elijahboyett8590]

@@fredkeele6578 Take the red wire off the solenoid and touch it to the red on the starter while the battery is giving power. If the starter turns, then your solenoid is 99% of the time bad. My solenoid would click but it was still bad, and that’s how I diagnosed it. You can buy cheap car solenoids that work just as good too