50hp Mercury Starter Problems

[ROBDOG1]

i have a 1989 50 HP Mercury the starter spins pops up and hits the flywheel and then the bolt just spins and does not turn the flywheel.

New plugs new battery and good connection.......how can I test the starter?

thanks for all your help.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 50hp Mercury Starter Problems

The starter obviously spins but you apparently have a bad bendix (the assembly with the gear on it). It's slipping.

 

[ROBDOG1]

Re: 50hp Mercury Starter Problems

Thanks for the quick response

Is the bendix replacable or should I just replace the starter?

Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 50hp Mercury Starter Problems

I would guess a starter is in the neighborhood of $100 - $150 bucks and the bendix is in the neighborhood of $25.00 so it's your call. Yes it is replacable. If you could not get it off the starter shaft, how would one ever build the starter or get it apart to repair it. The nut on the top the starter shaft is what holds it on.

 

[ROBDOG1]

Re: 50hp Mercury Starter Problems

Got back on the Lake this weekend but the Pontoon boat would not crank:
1 fresh gas
2 battery charged
3 greased the starter gear (bendix)

Key would not crank the motor so I had to jump the solinoid with a screwdriver.

Is it safe to say the starter is no good or do i need to replace the solonoid also?

It did pop up but it only would spin I think the gear is stripped.

See pics.............How hard is to replace starter? any tips??

 

[ROBDOG1]

Re: 50hp Mercury Starter Problems

Any help would be great!!!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: 50hp Mercury Starter Problems

Any help would be great!!!!

Ayuh,.... What'sa matter with the Help Silvertip gave ya,..??

Change the Starter....

 

[ROBDOG1]

Re: 50hp Mercury Starter Problems

yes.....by my nest question is:


Now the key would not crank the motor so I had to jump the solinoid with a screwdriver.

Is it safe to say the starter is no good or do i need to replace the solonoid also?


Thanks!!!!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 50hp Mercury Starter Problems

Think about this. If the engine starts when you jump the solenoid with a screwdriver, the starter cannot be the issue is it? The bendix however is being chewed up so it does need replacement. Again -- why would you spend a lot of money to replace the starter when all you need is the bendix. Any starter/alternator rebuilder in town can do that for you if you don't want to do it yourself. The bolts are staring right at you when looking at the starter. Disconnect the positive battery cable AT THE BATTERY. Then disconnect the cable at the starter and remove the starter. But even after installation, you still have an issue don't you? Since jumping the solenoid makes the starter work, that says the solenoid or the ignition switch or the wiring between the two is the issue.