2000 50hp 4 stroke won't turn over

[jjohn7077]

I'm new to Suzuki and new to this site so be gentle. Tonight when I went to start it, all I got was a 1/2 second groan and I don't hear the starter at all. Sure it sounds like a dead battery but I have lights and can raise and lower the outdrive. When I turn the key halfway, 4 lights come on and 3 go out. The last light to the right stays on but I can't read what it says.

Hint. when it was running, and I put it in what is supposed to be neutral, it is still in gear until I move the shift past that detente towards reverse. Neutral safety switch???

Also, primer bulb doesn't stay firm

Any help is appreciated

[Moonlighter]

Most likely a cable adjustment Issue - if you put it into neutral but it is still driving forward, then it hasn't moved the linkages properly to actually shift it into neutral. So now, the engine is still in gear and therefore the starter won't crank. Which is exactly what should happen when you try to start and engine that's already in gear.

Check cables are moving the engine into and out of gear properly. Adjust so that they are working properly.

[Solarman]

Jjohn, inspect your throttle & shift cable from controls to motor. If the outside casing on the shift cable is broken, this could also cause this kind of problem (acting like out of adjustment), and just what moonlighter is telling you. And, shifting back to neutral could be just as you said (needing to go farther than neutral/ normal).

Good luck.

[jjohn7077]

2000 50hp 4 stroke won't turn over

Thanks Moonlighter,

Starting problem turned out to be an anchor or dock line wrapped around the prop it was locked in drive and I couldn't get to neutral to start it.

The other issue of not going into neutral from drive without moving the shift slightly into reverse did turn out to be an adjustment problem and is now fixed.

[Solarman]

Thanks for the update. Those things can happen.

Good luck.

[jjohn7077]

Thanks Solarman
What a fantastic resource this forum is