TOPIC: solenoid possessed?

I'm trying to revive a 1984 90hp inline six with an unknown history, rumored to have run about four years ago. When I hooked it up to power and turned on the key it cranked fine- even after I turned off the switch and removed the key it kept on cranking. I was able to disconnect the battery cable with a minimum of sparking and arcing. Would a malfunctioning solenoid create this condition? Thinking a few taps with a hammer on the solenoid might help.

Check the ignition key switch too.

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It may be a sticky solenoid and it is far cheaper to replace than the starter motor.

I've seen a lot of the newer small solenoids fail, usually they just 'click' and don't run the starter (or the power trim/tilt unit, same style solenoids used), when you 'jump' the solenoid the motor runs.

If you disconnect the wire between starter and solenoid, you can do a resistance check across the solenoid contacts and see if you have continuity with no power applied to the solenoid. If so, it's stuck shut and should be replaced.

To check that the ign switch isn't causing the problem, check for voltage on the yellow wire connected to one of the small terminals on the solenoid. If there's no voltage with the battery connected and the ign switch off, and voltage is present with the ign switch in the START position, you're OK.

If you disconnect the wire at the starter for testing purposes, be sure to insulate the exposed lug with electrical tape to prevent lots of sparks from accidentally hitting ground.

HTH..........ed

Also the bendex right on top of the starter could hang up ,like mine did ,I replaced the bendex

The gang here is giving you some excellent consultation, AKU. There's also some good tech service info on the website from one of our suppliers at work on electrical stuff;
www.arcomarine.com/xhtml/Tech%20Tips.html

I really appreciate all the helpful info... I'll keep you posted on the progress.