Starter and Trim Motors Just Click?

[ThndrSki]

After putting in new exhaust and riser elbows, changing plugs, all fluids, I started the engine.

It started right up and I ran it on the trailer (on the hose with the flusher) for about 20 minutes until it was all warmed up. All functioned properly, and I was showing a good charge on my two batteries with a Perko Switch set to "All".

After I shut the engine of to check oil levels, etc, I went to start the engine up again, and starter just clicked. Went to trim the motor up, and the trim (solenoid?) just clicks rapidly. Sounds like a battery issue but that seems hard to believe as the Gauge is showing 12V.

Do you think this is a battery issue or something more dubious? How should I troubleshoot as it WAS JUST RUNNING FINE.

My engine is a 1995 Mercruiser 5.7L Alpha One

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter and Trim Motors Just Click?

Loose or corroded battery terminals (Use a wrench to tighten the battery cables)
Dead battery will also do it. Don't just trust the helm instrument.

 

[RiggerMark]

Re: Starter and Trim Motors Just Click?

I'd take a good wire dry type product and maybe a brass brush and clean all the watertight connections, snug everything back together and give it a try, sometimes you can have one person try to start, and another jiggling wires, hope it's a easy fix, Mark ....after reading your post again.... gotta be a bumped or dirty connection

 

[ThndrSki]

Re: Starter and Trim Motors Just Click?

Thanks everyone, after looking around last night, the ground cable was the cultprit. The terminals on the battery were nice, clean and tight, but where it goes into the ground terminal on the back of the motor, was corroded and the terminal end was loose.

Vibration of the motor must have wiggled it just enough to cease a good ground. Just thought I'd post so people can see this and check their ground cables... My cable "looked" brand new, but alas it's not.

Cheap, easy fix.

 

[DaveG55]

Re: Starter and Trim Motors Just Click?

Glad you found the problem and it's a good lesson for everyone out there.

EVERY wire has two ends and both ends have to be right for a good connection, not just the end you can easily see. Further, on the premade cables with the heavy rubber/plastic insulation, you have to be sure that the wire inside the coating is good. The coating is tough stuff and often does not show any signs of trouble even though the wire inside is a mass of corrosion. And one last thing, when you find and repair a wire problem, don't stop there. Check the other wires in the same system to be sure they are not starting to have the same issue. I have often found that repairing one spot will cause a questionable connection somewhere else to begin giving trouble itself. So, if your ground at the block was your problem be sure to double check the wire and connection at the starter, etc...