Mercury starter motor

[Madiandmagoo]

How do I tell if I need to replace the starter on my 2002 60hp Merc Bigfoot. Was out last weekend ran for about 20 minutes stopped to do some fishing and would not start. A couple of times there was something in the engine that kept running and I could not shut it off unless I disconnected the battery.

 

[Chris1956]

So you think the starter kept running after the engine was running? You heard the starter spinning after the motor was shut off? That would point to a stuck solenoid or more likely the ignition keyswitch malfunction.

if the engine cranks fast when you are starting it, the starter is OK. However, if it was really running for 20 minutes straight, it will likely fail soon.

 

[Madiandmagoo]

Thanks for the quick reply. To answer your first question i don't think the starter kept running after the engine was running everything appeared normal. Your second question yes I think the starter was spinning not after the motor was shut off but when I tried to restart it, since you mention the ignition switch I have had some issues lately while turning the key and it spins and doesn't start so I have to play with it to get it to start it's on my list to address. As for the engine cranking when starting it sounds like it is cranking fine just won't catch/start I don't think the started ran for 20 minutes what I meant was we went 20 minutes out from the dock then stopped the boat to fish. I appreciate the advice it'll help get back on the water sooner than later.

 

[Chris1956]

Sounds like you need a new ignition keyswitch......

 

[Madiandmagoo]

Sounds like you need a new ignition keyswitch......

So I replaced the ignition switch and that helped some what and while under the cowl checking fuel connections I discovered that there is a number of melted wires in and around the starter and solenoid. So I have more work to fix some wiring that melted and shorted out. Will let you know once that is done. Thank you for your advice.