1986 mercury 90hp in-line 6 starter problem? please help

[twebb]

Went to start motor today, it tryed to crank 4 to 5 times than nothing. I can hear the starter, sounds like its making a winding or spining noise. When i turn the key i notice the volt gague drops to zero. Dont know where to start looking first.
THE date on the starter is 8-26-85, think its time for a new one? Thanks for the help you can give me.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1986 mercury 90hp in-line 6 starter problem? please help

First check the wiring. If the voltage drops to zero, either the battery is bad, or the wiring is corroded. With a fully charged good battery and good wiring and a good starter, the cranking voltage will be about 8.5VDC. While a shorted starter can pull a lot of current (500A), you will see battery cables heat up.

 

[twebb]

Re: 1986 mercury 90hp in-line 6 starter problem? please help

Thanks chris. From what i can see, the wires all look good. I didnt check the battery cables for heat but the cables on the starter and the starter itself was very hot to the touch. For maybe the last two months when starting the motor, it would crank than stop, turn the key back and forth a few times than it would start. Do you think a rebuild on the starter or just a new one?
Thanks for your help.

 

[twebb]

Re: 1986 mercury 90hp in-line 6 starter problem? please help

Thanks chris, recharged the battery today and motor fired right up. Think ill go get a new battery now.

 

[twebb]

Re: 1986 mercury 90hp in-line 6 starter problem? please help

its not the battery

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1986 mercury 90hp in-line 6 starter problem? please help

What is the voltage on the new battery posts when cranking the motor? The voltmeter must make contact with the battery posts to be an accurate test.