If you did in fact bypass the solenoid and got started, then it may be bad.
Usually, as you note, you'll at least hear a click, so wiring is suspect --
the wiring between key switch and solenoid may be corroded, loose or
broken. Easy to check if there's voltage at the solenoid when the key is
turned to start. If not, the key switch may be bad. Or the neutral safety
switch is defective (fairly common). Find and jumper wire it to test -- make
sure shift's in neutral. Do replace that switch, if defective, for safety
reasons. (Sometimes the neutral safety switch's positioning is adjustable,
and they or the shift lever no longer make proper contact.)
Len

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"richard" wrote in message
ups.com...
For the second time in a month(in about 40 attemps), I have had a
problem when trying to start my engine. I have a 93 Four Winns I/O
(Ford)with king Cobra lower end. when I went to start the engine,
nothing happens, no turning over, no clicking of the starter. Tried
both batteries and one at a time. It is as if the engine was in gear or
the emegency shut off cord had been pulled. (this cord has been
bypassed for 2 years now.) The first time, I kept playing with the
throttle and the button to put it in nuetrol while giving it gas and
eventually it started up. I thought that maybe I had been distracted
and was trying to start the boat while in gear. What I did to start her
up last night was, with a pair of insulated plyers, I by passed the
celinoid while the other person turned the key. It started right up.
when we got back to the dock, I tried to start it again and it worked
fine. I know only enough about engines to be dangerous and would love
to have your opinions on this before I take it to the shop. Do you
think it is the Throttle mechinism of the key? or maybe something
completely different. Since it only happens once in a while it is had
to figure (for me)
thanks