70HP Force 1995 (Made by Mercury) will not start!

laxxrick

Cadet
Joined
Apr 22, 2010
Messages
7
I've checked the Engine FAQ and this is what I've done so far:

1.) I'm using a heavy duty battery starter unit instead of a battery. I want to make sure the engine will turn over before I invest in a deep cycle marine battery.

2.) I turned the key and I do hear the solenoid click, but the starter doesn't even attempt to spin.

3.) I measured the voltage coming in to the solenoid @ 14V.

4.) I jumped the solenoid with a screwdriver: still just a click, no starter spinning.

5.) With the solenoid jumped, I measure the voltage on the solenoid post that provides power to the starter @ 10.5V.

6.) With the solenoid jumped, I measure the voltage on the post on the starter where the power goes @ 10.5V.

Now my question is this: is the 10.9V too low a voltage to actually spin the starter? I think that's normal, but I'm as novice as novice can be when it comes to this.

What do you guys think? Does that sound more like a solenoid or the starter itself?

It seems to indicate starter, but I find it hard to believe it just won't spin at all.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,768
Re: 70HP Force 1995 (Made by Mercury) will not start!

In my opinion, 10.9 is too low.
Have you removed all connections, cleaned them, then tighten securely?
You should try a good battery, like from your car or truck.

When you buy a battery, you need a a Marine Starting battery , not a deep cycle. Deep cycles are for trolling motors, not starting.
 

Barnacle_Bill

Admiral
Joined
Feb 8, 2004
Messages
6,469
Re: 70HP Force 1995 (Made by Mercury) will not start!

If all the connections are clean and tight like Roscoe said and you are jumping the starter solenoid with no results, then the starter needs to be rebuilt/replaced.
 

laxxrick

Cadet
Joined
Apr 22, 2010
Messages
7
Re: 70HP Force 1995 (Made by Mercury) will not start!

Thanks so much!

Do you know of any way to test the starter itself? I'd like to bypass the solenoid completely, but the starter only has a power wire going to it. I have cleaned all connections (with wire brush on drill) and I've been hooking up power directly to the solenoid to rule out the wires coming from the ignition.

My biggest fear is buying a new starter and experiencing the same issue.

Oh, and thanks for the correction on the battery! Boy is my face red!
 

pnwboat

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2007
Messages
4,251
Re: 70HP Force 1995 (Made by Mercury) will not start!

You can by-pass the solenoid with a test battery and jumper cables. Connect the negative to the block and take the positive cable and briefly touch the cable to the battery connection on the starter. Be prepared for an arc. It's normal because the starter should be pulling quite a bit of amperage. Starter should engage and spin the motor. If not, I'd say chances are pretty good your starter is bad. Either that or you motor or gear case is locked up. I assume you've eliminated those last two items.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: 70HP Force 1995 (Made by Mercury) will not start!

Ratzacratza! :(

I typed out a long answer to this and I guess I just hit "Back" instead of posting my reply.

I think you have a bad ground connection to the engine block. Do what Roscoe suggests. . .clean all connections and try with a fully charged starting battery.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: 70HP Force 1995 (Made by Mercury) will not start!

No, that is not what happened. This was double posted in the Merc Forum and I answered it there.

That is very unwelcome here, Rick. You make helpers look like idiots.
 

laxxrick

Cadet
Joined
Apr 22, 2010
Messages
7
Re: 70HP Force 1995 (Made by Mercury) will not start!

Sorry for the double post JB. I'm new and I didn't know which board to use.
 

laxxrick

Cadet
Joined
Apr 22, 2010
Messages
7
Re: 70HP Force 1995 (Made by Mercury) will not start!

Cleaned the ground cable; still no good. Took the starter out and to a small engine repair shop; it has gone bad!

Looks like the Engine FAQ was right :(
 

haymon15

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 6, 2010
Messages
37
Re: 70HP Force 1995 (Made by Mercury) will not start!

I had similiar problems that you are having I cleaned to wire that goes to the starter and she fired right up.
 
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