225 EFI Bad Starter Solenoid?

[VA_Cobra_201D]

I have had 2 seperate times where my 2000 Mercury 225 EFI will not start. The cranking battery is less than 2 months old, so I believer there is plenty of power. There is no click, no struggle to start, no nothing, just the single beep of the horn when I first turn the key.

After fiddling for awhile, I came across a 20 amp fuse in a tall plastic assembly on the right side of the engine. Thinking I had found the culprit, I pulled the fuse only to find it was perfectly good. But when I put it back in, the motor turns over just like nothing was ever wrong. Both times the motor turns over immediately after pulling and replacing the fuse.

When I look at a parts diagram, that assembly seems to be for the starter solenoid. Not knowing a solenoid from a widget, I'm looking for other opinions to see if my logic makes sense? Any other suspects?

Thanks for any and all assistance/opinions.


JD

[EuropeanAM]

JD:

The starter solenoid is located on the electrical plate (Starboard Side of the engine).

Check CONNECTIONS to the solenoid (clean/tight).

Verify that the GROUND wire for the solenoid is secured properly at it's ground connection.

There are other possibilities (neutral safety switch, cannon plug connector, etc)... but the above is a good starting point.

[VA_Cobra_201D]

Thanks Don. I will take a closer look at all the things you mentioned.


JD