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AmazonIf you have accidentally left the gear selector in either forward or reverse the starter motor won't activate when you turn the key. The electric switch inside the gear selector that controls this can be quite sensitive, so even if you gear selector lever looks like it is in neutral, be sure to give it a shake to make sure it is clicked all the way in.
Testing the neutral switch
On this tiller outboard the switch that stops it starting in gear had failed and never closed, so turning the key did nothing and the solenoid never clicked. A continuity test with the selector in neutral finds it. With forward controls the switch is inside the control box instead (at 16:35). Don't be tempted to bypass it: starting in gear can throw people out of the boat.
PHOTO Dangar Marine