5.7L 1993 starter solenoid cllicks fast but does not turn over engine

Vinster

Cadet
Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
12
Help! My 1993 Merc 5.7L starter failed to turn over - just fast clicks are heard from starter solenoid at starter. I tried to jump slave solenoid for starter but same thing - just fast clicks are heard. Batteries are charged showing 13.52 volts. So, I changed the 5 year old starter - but same thing - the new starter solenoid clicks rapidly and the engine does not turn over. Had batteries tested under load & they are OK - when jumping the slave solenoid, it clicks but does not engage the starter - you hear fast clicks at starter solenoid. All wires appear good so out came the sand paper to clean all terminals and polish up all wire ends. Still same symptoms. Last 10 or so starts - the starter engaged, but slowed momentarily, then spun quick starting engine. The last boat trip on way back, had to start with two batteries vs. one. That trip, at home, for rinse, it fired right up. Then this weekend - just clicks are heard - Any Ideas? Should I change the slave solenoid? Should I remove the new starter and bench test? :stumped & confused:
 

shifter nut

Cadet
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Messages
27
Re: 5.7L 1993 starter solenoid cllicks fast but does not turn over engine

take a test light and have someone crank it while you test the signal wire on the starter to see if its getting power...if not you need a new solenoid..
 

shifter nut

Cadet
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Messages
27
Re: 5.7L 1993 starter solenoid cllicks fast but does not turn over engine

Iwould also check your grounds...a bad ground can cause the same problem..
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,480
Re: 5.7L 1993 starter solenoid cllicks fast but does not turn over engine

battery selector switch or battery cables are bad internally , try testing with jumper cables from the battery`s + and -- to the starter lug and engine block
 

Pete104

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
1,439
Re: 5.7L 1993 starter solenoid cllicks fast but does not turn over engine

Connections maybe clean but are they tight? No wing nuts! Hex nuts with a wrench.
 

Failproof

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 26, 2011
Messages
273
Re: 5.7L 1993 starter solenoid cllicks fast but does not turn over engine

Power delivery issue!
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,480
Re: 5.7L 1993 starter solenoid cllicks fast but does not turn over engine

a crude test to check cables is to remove them from the engine and do this outside the boat away from any fuel sources.
connect to a known good battery,and make up another cable with a plate bolted to it.
connect cable with plate to positive battery and strike negative battery cable to plate. should get a loud ,sharp, crack of a spark.
connect plate to neg battery and strike positive cable to plate, should get a loud ,sharp, crack of a spark.
You need to be cheking current not voltage
 

Vinster

Cadet
Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
12
Re: 5.7L 1993 starter solenoid cllicks fast but does not turn over engine

Thanks for all of the tips - after replacing the slave solenoid on top of engine - same fast click from solenoid at starter. Jumped new slave solenoid and same thing - fact click - so looking to the tips on this thread - I checked ground wire from battery to engine block and found the stud bolt holding ground wire was cracked. I removed stud from engine, placed wires under stud mount, tightened to engine block. That did the trick - engine cranked fast - off to get a new engine stud tomorrow to install the correct way. Vinster will be back on water in Key Largo this Saturday! Thanks again for everyone's tips - awesome!
 

shifter nut

Cadet
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Messages
27
Re: 5.7L 1993 starter solenoid cllicks fast but does not turn over engine

i,m a diseal tech and do road side emergency repairs and most electrical problems are caused by bad grounds...
 
Top