1988 3.7l mercruiser starter problem help please dont know much...

[ahendri]

hey guys just got this boat... i am having trouble starting it.. all the electrical is good only problem is the starter/solenoid clicks but nothing else... i am new to boats and motors so please help me out

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 1988 3.7l mercruiser starter problem help please dont know much...

hey guys just got this boat... i am having trouble starting it.. all the electrical is good only problem is the starter/solenoid clicks but nothing else... i am new to boats and motors so please help me out

Is it a big click or a little click? Not trying to be funny, there are two solenoids involved here. The ignition key activates a slave solenoid, and that in turn activates the starter solenoid. You need to determine which one is clicking. For a start best way is by ear. Go back there and listen to the starter as someone hits the switch. If the starter clicks,your problem is likely there, if you hear a small click somewhere else it is likely the slave Solenoid. Let us know how you make out. Go to "adults only", #9, download manual #8, wiring diagram section 4-E. Good luck.
OH welcome to 470 land.

 

[mmazour]

Re: 1988 3.7l mercruiser starter problem help please dont know much...

I am having the same problem on my 1986 4.3l v-6. It is the little I know because I heard the big click 2 years ago and had the starter replaced.

But about 7 years ago I had the little and I remember that I was able to still start the boat by jumping the two posts on top of the starter solenoid with a pair of pliers. To get back to shore and then bought a new starter solenoid and was quickly back in business.

But this time nothing is happening when I try the plier approach. Any thoughts on this Stony Loam?

 

[ahendri]

Re: 1988 3.7l mercruiser starter problem help please dont know much...

This may seem like a stupid question but how loud is the starter solenoid when it clicks and will i hear two clicks one for the slave solenoid and one for the starter or just one.. because i hear one loud click and i did stick my ear to it and it sounds like it is coming from the starter... any tricks here??

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 1988 3.7l mercruiser starter problem help please dont know much...

This may seem like a stupid question but how loud is the starter solenoid when it clicks and will i hear two clicks one for the slave solenoid and one for the starter or just one.. because i hear one loud click and i did stick my ear to it and it sounds like it is coming from the starter... any tricks here??

Pretty loud. You will only here one click, the loud one. Sounds like your trouble is in the starter solenoid. The solenoid is activating but the starter is not spinning. You could try cleaning the connection on the big red wire, at the starter and the battery.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 1988 3.7l mercruiser starter problem help please dont know much...

But about 7 years ago I had the little and I remember that I was able to still start the boat by jumping the two posts on top of the starter solenoid with a pair of pliers. To get back to shore and then bought a new starter solenoid and was quickly back in business.

But this time nothing is happening when I try the plier approach. Any thoughts on this Stony Loam?

Don't know much about the 4.3, but two possibilities, the connection to the starter is bad (clean it where the big red wire goes onto the terminal) or your solenoid is bad (open winding). If you get a spark, but no click, it may be rusty, and frozen in place.

 

[YeboGogo]

Re: 1988 3.7l mercruiser starter problem help please dont know much...

I have more knowledge than I ever wished.

2 ways to determine.

1. Turn the key to run. use a long INSULATED screw driver handle and connect the 2 big terminals on the external relay(which is really a relay). Does it start ? If so then its the relay aka external solinoid.

Still not sure? Take a piece of heavy gauge wire (like 10 or less) and go from the big + terminal on teh starter and connect it to the solinoid where the yellow wire goes (on the starter) Does it start ?Yes= its the external starter

If you hear your click again then its probably the starter relay on teh starter..

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 1988 3.7l mercruiser starter problem help please dont know much...

You guys jinxed me! Hopped in the boat this afternoon and CLICK (the little one), luckily the marina is just down the road and they weren't closing for another 5 min. New slave solenoid and back in business . Coincidence or what?