Click upon startup

[Ebbtide1627]

Hello All,

Just registered here so pleas let me know if I am in the wrong section of this forum. I own a 1985 Ebb Tide pleasure boat. The boat has a 170hp 3.7 4 cyl mercruiser motor on it. When I turn the key for start up I get a click. It usually takes several turns of the key then the motor finally turns over. Anyone know how to cure this problem. I have been leaning toward a starter solenoid. Is that a good starting point?

Thanks for any and all help!

 

[samm835]

Re: Click upon startup

The battery would be the first thing to check, I am sure there will be someone right behind me to correct me but you should check your starter to make sure your getting juice or to see if the starter is any good. Welcome, you will soon be flooded with knowledgable responses. 95% good and dead on as well!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Click upon startup

Ayuh,......

The Battery should show 12V+ before you start,...

Remove, Sand,+ Clean the Battery Cables,.... Both Positive,+ the Ground,...
Both Ends of Both wires.....
Also look for any breaks in the vinyl coverng,.... Water will cause rotten wires that pass Voltage, but not Amperage,.....

Reinstall,+ Try It......

If you still get a Click,.... Where Exactly is it Clicking,..??

You can try jumpering out the Aux. Solenoid with a stout wire, by-passing it,...
If it still doesn't turn over,... Pull the Starter,+ Bench Test it.....

A couple of Btw's,....
1),.. Welcome Aboard to the forums here a iboats.com,......

2),.. "170hp 3.0 4 cyl mercruiser motor"

You can have Either a 170hp,.... Which would be an Old 470,......
Or,.....
A 3.0l,... Which would be a 130/ 140hp motor........

Both Very Different Motors..............

Good Luck.......

 

[Ebbtide1627]

Re: Click upon startup

Ayuh,......

The Battery should show 12V+ before you start,...

Remove, Sand,+ Clean the Battery Cables,.... Both Positive,+ the Ground,...
Both Ends of Both wires.....
Also look for any breaks in the vinyl coverng,.... Water will cause rotten wires that pass Voltage, but not Amperage,.....

Reinstall,+ Try It......

If you still get a Click,.... Where Exactly is it Clicking,..??

You can try jumpering out the Aux. Solenoid with a stout wire, by-passing it,...
If it still doesn't turn over,... Pull the Starter,+ Bench Test it.....

A couple of Btw's,....
1),.. Welcome Aboard to the forums here a iboats.com,......

2),.. "170hp 3.0 4 cyl mercruiser motor"

You can have Either a 170hp,.... Which would be an Old 470,......
Or,.....
A 3.0l,... Which would be a 130/ 140hp motor........

Both Very Different Motors..............

Good Luck.......

Thanks to the both of you for the replies.

I will have to double check the valve cover, I am pretty sure it states 170hp.

Is there a 3.5 liter 170hp motor?


I will do the procedures that you described tomorrow on my day off. I will also be doing an impeller change, anything to look out for when doing the impeller?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Click upon startup

Is there a 3.5 liter 170hp motor?

Nope,.......

It's 3.7l,....... The Infamous 470........

Good Luck.........

 

[Ebbtide1627]

Re: Click upon startup

Nope,.......

It's 3.7l,....... The Infamous 470........

Good Luck.........

Thanks for clarifying!