Sometimes the starter on my Mercruiser wont kick in. It suggests the solenoid might not be making contact but the solenoid case is sealed. Any suggestions?
Remove,<br />Clean,<br />Reinstall,<br />All the Conections in the Starter Circuit....<br />Including the Starter,+ Engine Grounds.....<br /><br />Is the Battery Voltage up to 12.5/13 ???<br /><br />If All Checks Out...<br />Pull the Starter, And Either,<br />Bring it to a Starter Shop for a New Solenoid, or change it Yourself......<br />OR, Replace the Starter......(Best Option)
You can certainly have a bad seloniod any way.I would do as Bondo stated and go from there.How old is the starter????What exactly is it doing.If you are going to remove you may want to replace the entire starter.Sooner or later you will have to anyway.Charlie
The starter can have some broken or shorted windings that will prevent it from turning over when it stops in certain positions (i.e. bad windings adjacent to motor magnets), But will turn over just fine in other positions. An Ohm meter will diagnose this problem.
Bondo andCrazy Charlie,<br />The boat is 2000 year Marada with a 3.0 Mercruiser engine.I have been told that to change the starterI have to pull the engine. I sure hope not. It will kick in eventually if I keep trying but that is not too good if I have to move in a hurry. (like if a ship is heading in my direction)<br />I wil;l recheck connections and battery voltsage though.<br />Thanks
Diesel Walt,<br />You mentioned a small solenoid--where would it be and what does that one do? I don't remember seeing it in the manual but I probably missed it,<br />Thanks
Can you see the starter???If you can get a decent look at it and have a little clearance under it a good mechanic should be able to get it w/o removal of the motor.At least 1 of the bolts he will have to do blind but it is a big head so it is made easier.Sounds like the starter is shot.Dont wait until it dies,it will start now with a little playing around with it but it will eventually die and not start you at all.Charlie
I Agree, If it's Possible to touch the Bottom of the Flywheel Housing with your Fingers, the Starter Will Come Out by Itself....<br /><br />But, I'd Still Check the Wire-ends,+ Grounds First....<br />It's Right on the Way to, Changing the Starter.....
The slave solenoid that you refer to is in one of two places on a mercruiser.Older engines should be on the front of the stb exhaust manifold under a piece of black plastic.Newer models have the solenoid between distributor and carb/throttle body on top of the intake manifold.The slave solenoid is the first to get power and if bad will give you your symptom.
dw, you didn't say if the starter solenoid makes a clicking sound when you try to start. on most starter solenoids, there is a copper washer inside that makes contact with the large copper post and sends power to the starter. the washer and post can become corroded and will not pass current, however the solenoid will still click and engage the starter gear.
