3.0LX starter questions

[Bob1958]

Sorry my first post has to be thread-starter. I have a '97 Mercuiser 3.0LX, 135 HP, that seems to have a bad spot on the starter. Half the time I hear a click only, half the time it starts. Here are the questions I have:
1. Is this usually a starter problem, or could it be a solenoid?
2. Being somewhat handy but not knowing the location of the starter, is this something I can replace myself?
3. Should I insist on getting a factory new starter, or are there other brands I can use?

There is a marina that can do this job for $300-$400, but if I can cut the cost in half by doing it myself I'd rather save the money. Thanks for your help.

 

[Bob1958]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

On the 3.0 the starter is on the back of the engine on the starbord side and is usually fairly easy to get at.

My suggestion would be to NOT replace it but instead to take it to a shop and have it rebuilt. Its usually cheaper than a replacement, you'll have a better starter over the cheap replacements, and you know it fits properly.

Saftey Issue: Before even touching the starter, disconnect the ground from the battery, and then disconnect the positive cable. (Always disconnect the ground first.)

Thanks. I called the SeaRay dealer where I bought the boat and they said they don't rebuild the starters, but have new factory ones for about $220 or re-built ones for about half that price.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

You need to call an alternator and starter rebuild shop..THe SeaRay dealer is over priced..
Or buy a new one...http://bpi.ebasicpower.com/mm5/merc...Product_Code=MES5399M&Category_Code=MER10J-IO

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

1. Is this usually a starter problem, or could it be a solenoid?
2. Being somewhat handy but not knowing the location of the starter, is this something I can replace myself?

Ayuh,.... More than Likely, it's nothing more than Dirty Corroded Wiring....

Follow the wires from the Battery,+ disconnect, sand, clean,+ reinstall them...
Odds are it'll be Fixed....

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

Bond-O pecked that one out before I could..Yep start with cables then go from there..

 

[Bob1958]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

Ayuh,.... More than Likely, it's nothing more than Dirty Corroded Wiring....

Follow the wires from the Battery,+ disconnect, sand, clean,+ reinstall them...
Odds are it'll be Fixed....

I can check the wiring easy enough, but the boat is very clean and dry high up, and is indoors all winter. However, the starter has probably had its share of being wet due to a full bilge so I wouldn't be surprised if it has some issues as a result. What I'll do is follow all the wires and look for any corrosion, then try it again. If there's no change I'll take the starter out and get it checked out.

 

[Bob1958]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

Update:

The wiring all looks new - no corrosion at all. I replaced the solenoid. Now, instead of either getting either one click (50% of the time) or starting up (50% of the time), I'm getting rapid-fire clicking 100% of the time. I removed the starter and will have it tested this week, but it sounds like I need a new one. The factory-starters sell for $225 here.

Pulling the starter wasn't a big deal, but getting the nuts off the back of the solenoid was a major pain.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

The wiring all looks new - no corrosion at all.

Ayuh,... Lookin' at it Ain't gonna cut it...
Corrosion occurrs where the metals meet....
You have to take the connections Appart to Sand,+ Clean them....
Both battery wires,.. at Both Ends...

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

Did You Check The Battery Cables,if So Check The Solinoid On The Side Of The Engine.

 

[Bob1958]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

Did You Check The Battery Cables,if So Check The Solinoid On The Side Of The Engine.

I clean the terminals on the battery side every year. There appears to be 2 solenoids - one mounted on the transom, which I replaced yesterday, and the other attached to the starter. One of them is a slave starter (whatever that is) according to the service manual I have.

This boat is 10 years old, but doesn't get a lot of use. The only issue I have is that the bilge fills with water a couple of time a year, which would put the starter under water. This can't be good for the starter, even though it seems to be sealed.

 

[Bob1958]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

Ayuh,... Lookin' at it Ain't gonna cut it...
Corrosion occurrs where the metals meet....
You have to take the connections Appart to Sand,+ Clean them....
Both battery wires,.. at Both Ends...

I didn't sand the positive wire where it connects to the starter, but I will when I put the starter back on. Where is the other end of the battery ground cable? Should I take that off and sand it also?

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

If the starter has been under water THROW IT AWAY!!!

 

[gadget73]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

Does this motor have a secondary starter relay? Many Merc engines have one, often mounted just above the fuel filter. Those go intermittant and cause the 50/50 symptom. Easy way to diagnose those is to just bridge the large terminals on that relay with a screwdriver. This directly powers the solenoid on top of the starter, and it will make the starter run if the starter and it's mounted solenoid are good. Never had the solenoid on top of the starter fail before the starter though.

 

[Bob1958]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

Starter tests good. Marina suggests re-charging the battery and trying again. They seem to think the solenoid I changed was the problem, especially since I went from single clicks to multiple clicks when turning the key.

An aside, this place gets a lot of action...just a couple of days and this thread is down a few pages!

 

[lighthouse point]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

I just bought a 1993 boat with the 3.0L mercruiser engine in it and I am having the same problems with it starting. Half of the time I just get a "click" when I go to start it and the other half of the time it will start right up. After the engine has been ran it usally starts right up every time. The starting issue just seems to happen after the boat has sat for a few weeks. If I check all the wiring for corrosion and it is good, then would you assume it could be the salve solenoid rather than the starter or vise versa? Thanks for all great information already posted on here.

 

[Bob1958]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

Here's the conclusion. At the advice of those here, I sanded down every wire termination, which includes the 2 at the battery and 6 at the starter. I couldn't get to the ground wire that terminates from the battery because of its location. I changed the solenoid and recharged the battery. The engine now starts every time and I've had it out a dozen times. In any event, it only cost me about $45 instead of the $400 the marina was going to charge me for installing a new starter.

Thanks again for all the advice.

 

[Bob1958]

Re: 3.0LX starter questions

I just bought a 1993 boat with the 3.0L mercruiser engine in it and I am having the same problems with it starting. Half of the time I just get a "click" when I go to start it and the other half of the time it will start right up. After the engine has been ran it usally starts right up every time. The starting issue just seems to happen after the boat has sat for a few weeks. If I check all the wiring for corrosion and it is good, then would you assume it could be the salve solenoid rather than the starter or vise versa? Thanks for all great information already posted on here.

The wire terminations may not look corroded, but after you've sanded them down good they take on a shiny appearance and undoubtedly conduct better as a result. I used a round file for the insides of the battery cables...there was some pitting in there. If that doesn't fix the problem, you can either replace the solenoid like I did or find someone who can test it for you.