Manual / Pull Start wont work

[davev]

People,

I have a 1987 Merc 25 electric start outboard. The motor, once started, runs fine. The problem is getting the electric starting to turn. The only way to do this is to pull hard on the manual start rope. The rope will just move and then the electric start will run. If I don't do this then all you get is a loud clunk. The pull start will not move if used alone.

I would guess that there is some mechanical interlock that needs adjustment but don't know where to start looking. I would like to have both the electric and the manual start working.

I am told by the prior boat owner that the manual start has worked in the past.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Laddies]

Re: Manual / Pull Start wont work

Look on the starboard side of the starter housing near the rear and you will see the interlock there is a phillips screw to adjust it

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Manual / Pull Start wont work

Also check into why your electric starter fails.

Low battery
Poor connections, +, -, solenoid, starter
Check voltage at each point while trying the starter, once you see the voltage drop you've found a problem.

Of course you could have a dirty commutator in the starter, but try the voltage drop before anything else or buying any electrical parts.

 

[davev]

Re: Manual / Pull Start wont work

Problem solved. If you advance the fast idle lever too far you set the interlock. Thanks for the pointer about where to look.

Dave