Mercury?mariner 75HP outboard starter clicks randomly

[PISTONESAL]

I have had about a dozen incidents where when I turn the key, i just get a click and engine does not start. This weekend, after fishing for 2 hours we decided to move and engine did the clicking no start again but it took over 20 tries before it actually turned over. I took the cowl off and the gear was stuck on the flywheel. I manual turned it down but no resolve. All connections looked fine but all I get was a faint click and the gear would not move. Eventually it started. Got back to dock and turned it off and on a few times and it did it 2 times but started the other 3 times. Got home to flush engine and it started no issues. Anybody have thoughts suggestions? Do i have a starter going bad or what can it be? Please help. i appreciate it.

 

[racerone]

What year ?---Serial # perhaps.------Myself I would take the starter apart for inspection.----Some folks would rush out and buy a new starter only to find out it is a battery / cable / loose connection / bad solenoid.-----Neighbor had a riding lawnmower that did the click , click thing.------Bolt had fallen out that holds motor and battry ground connection.----A no money fix other than a cold one !!

 

[GA_Boater]

Clean the battery posts and both ends of the cables as racerone said. It wouldn't hurt to use some light oil on the bendix with it sticking and not dropping down because that also can make for slow turnover.

 

[PISTONESAL]

its a 2000 year SN 0T089076. All connections are fine. Battery is good . I even hooked up a jump box when it was doing the click and it still did not start just the click. Its random so it really makes it hard to figure out what the issue is until you start swapping parts which I don't want to spend $$ doing and then again, you wont know for sure. After I dropped the gear on starter, it never moved just hear a click. If I were to going start it right now I would not be suprised it starts no issues so how can I troubleshoot the issue.. If it never starts then It would be easier to figure it out.. [h=1][/h]

 

[racerone]

It costs nothing to take the starter apart to inspect it.-----Very easy to do.--Could just need new brushes.-----I get brushes at $4.50 a set at starter / alternator shop.----Take apart as it is elgantly easy to work on.

 

[PISTONESAL]

I checked the motor out last night. It did it once (click) the very 1st time but fine the rest of the times. I checked all connections and cleaned them. Really wernt that dirty. All good continuity. So I am lost as to what to try here. Could a solenoid just click and not work or if it does click that tells me the solenoid is good. I dont just want to start replacing parts and spend $$ but then again I don't want to be stuck out there the next time I go fishing If either of those are bad, I can pull start the engine to get it running correct? Is there a good procedure or video on doing that? Thanks for the help..

 

[racerone]

Yes a solenoid can " click " and not connect the 2 big posts that put battery voltage to the starter.

 

[GA_Boater]

Yes a solenoid can " click " and not connect the 2 big posts that put battery voltage to the starter.

Ditto! Solenoids handle high current and the contacts do arc and burn, just like a set of points in a distributor.

How did you hook up the jump box? To the battery or directly to the starter? If you didn't try - Hook up directly to the starter bypassing the solenoid.

 

[PISTONESAL]

When I was out on the water, i put the jump box on the battery. I di not think of connecting to stater. Isnt there a way to jumper the solenoid to start the engine?

 

[racerone]

Electrical trouble shooting can be difficult for folks to understand.-------No further input from me.

 

[GA_Boater]

When I was out on the water, i put the jump box on the battery. I di not think of connecting to stater. Isnt there a way to jumper the solenoid to start the engine?

If the solenoid is failing, jump the solenoid all day long and it will act the same.

Are you wanting to fix it or mess with it?

 

[PISTONESAL]

I want to fix it for sure but don't want to buy a part replace it then I still have the problem. You know what I mean? I want to think its the solenoid but not sure. Maybe from time to time it just sticks? How do you jump the solenoid ? At least I can get back to the ramp for the day I know its can be hard to understand, but bear with me. I have troubleshooting experience but there is always someone who has experienced more

 

[PISTONESAL]

Well, I took out the boat this weekend and it worked fine most of the day but it eventually started the click issue. I jumped the solenoid and the starter would work with no problem. Am I correct that I need to replace the solenoid? I believe that it is intermitting or does anybody else have any thought or suggestions? Please advise I would really appreciate it. thanks