Are the battery terminals clean and tight? I had a similar problem with
mine and had a few people to take out for the day. I offered the
mechanic $50 just to look at it and he said they were done for the day
but I should check the terminals. I cleaned them up with a file,
reattached them, and off we went. I also took his advise and got some
CRC for electrical connections and I haven't had another problem.

Dan


Tim Kelley wrote:

I'm wondering if anyone has any input on a not-able-to-start problem
I now have with a 2002 Yamaha 115 4-stroke. When I turn the key the
starter solenoid gear extends and engages the outboard's flywheel,
but it won't turn the flywheel. At the same time the tach LED display
goes blank. I can wrap the emergency starter rope around the flywheel
and turn it. There is a lot of compression - so it's hard to pull
and I can't get it started this way either. But I know that the
engine is not seized up.

I checked the 4 fuses on the outboard. All fuses look good.

I was working on the automatic bilge pump float switch prior to these
problems. While doing this I disconnected and reconnected the power to
the outboard. Perhaps this did something?

Any ideas? Think I need a new starter? I did not check the batter
voltage yet - could that be why the solenoid engages, but doesn't
turn the flywheel? Any other diagnostics ideas?

Thanks,

TK
Anchorage, AK