www.iFourWinns.com

I have a 1996 Evinrude outboard that is given me starting problems. I bought this boat about 1 1/2 years ago and have not had any issues with the motor until now. The motor had a new power pack, water pump and impeller when I bought it and the compression shows 150 on three cylinders and 149 on one. I used the boat several times last season with no issues. I have been starting the boat at least once a month and letting it run for a few minutes during the winter. About two weeks ago it would just turn over but not fire. It would not start with the kill switch hooked up or unhooked. A friend came over to help me with it the next day and we were able to get it to start. At the time when it started, we were fiddling with the shifter and the kill switch. I went ahead and bought a new kill switch even though the issue I was having could not have been related to the switch since the motor would not even run initially with the switch unhooked. Anyway, when I went out this past Saturday and tried to start the motor, it would only turn over but not fire like before (I had not touched anything other than the key since the last time we got it started). Sunday my friend came over and fiddled with the shifter and the motor started right up (just for the record, I tried working the shifter after the motor would not start on Saturday and it still would not fire). We are thinking that it could be in the shifter but if that is the case, why would the motor not start the next time when the shifter has not been moved? I know that it could be something totally unrelated to the shifter, so any thoughts or suggestion welcomed.

Thanks,

Tracy

That is a 2-stroke carbureted engine. They are typically pretty cold blooded....as in they don't want to start when cold.

How do you try to start it? You can't just turn the key and expect to start.

I assume you pump the throttle a couple times (with the center neutral rev button pushed) and then bring back to a high idle position and then push the key to choke as you are turning it.

Once it fires you may need to feather the throttle to get it running good. It wouldn't be a surprise if it takes a few attempts to get it to fire and stay running.

What process do you use?

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

There is a bulb back near the motor that I pump up before trying to start the engine. There is also a built in choke when turning and pushing in the starter switch. The issue I'm having is that when I try and start it, the motor just turns over but does not even act like it is getting fire to it. Trust me, I have been starting this motor for over a year and half and can tell when it's trying to start verses just turning over and over until the battery starts to run down without it firing.

Tracy

I owned a '89 120 johnson and it was moody. In fairness I never did anything to it and probably need a carb rebuild. It always started cold for me but when it was hot it had its issues. I learned when it was hot or even warm not to push the key in to choke it or else it would flood. If that happens push the throttle all the way up. This seemed to work the few times I had issues. Under normal circumstances when its warm I used about 1/3 throttle to start.
When it was flooded it did exactly like you said, just turned and turned and turned but no start.

One other thing is check the primer bulb to the engine if this happens. If you have been using it and it then gives you trouble and the bulb is soft then you have an air leak.

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Still learning here, but is there a chance that the neutral switch in the shifter is preventing the motor from getting power to fire the cylinders?
Sounds like his buddy fooled with the shifter and it fired right up?
I thought there was a safety relay that would not allow you to start engine unless shifter was in neutral?
This could be a corroded connection giving you an intermittent problem that worsened.

Just a thought.

Doug

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2003 Four Winns 170 Freedom Cincinnati, Ohio / Cape Coral, Florida

Doug's thinking is in line with what I believe is possibly the issue. This motor has never acted this way before with me. The bulb at the back near the motor does not appear to be soft or cracked. The motor acts more like it's not getting fire, matter of fact, the first time it did this we pulled a plug and checked to see if it was getting fire to it and it was not.

Tracy

If this is the case then Doug is on the right track or it could be the coil pack. Check connections in both spots. then check the neutral safety switch with a meter or test light.

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Watching another thread with similar issue.
I think we agreed that NSS would prevent motor from turning over by dropping voltage from starter.

They are looking at ignition relay.

FYI,
Doug

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2003 Four Winns 170 Freedom Cincinnati, Ohio / Cape Coral, Florida

Doug, could you point me in the direction to the other post you mentioned? I would like to read through that post.

Thanks,

Tracy

Sure, read through this thread. Doug

http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=14006&start=30

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2003 Four Winns 170 Freedom Cincinnati, Ohio / Cape Coral, Florida

Mine was a slightly different problem...I could never get it to start. but it did turn out to be electrical. I would ask have you checked the battery connections? Tight, corrosion free?

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Chris and Alicia
Las Vegas, NV
ALTIVA
1996 Four Winns 238 Vista Dlx 5.8Fi

The battery connection is clean and tight. I don't leave my battery in the boat except when using it. Doug, thanks for the link.

Tracy