turns over slow

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scottyisback44

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 8, 2012
Messages
33
Hi all, I have a 73 65 hp merc. 3 cylander. Motor runs solid. Problem is it wont start with the key. It acts like the battery is dead. I bought a new battery and it still does it. It will turn over but way too slow. It will start up and run great when it is pull started. And then immediatly after running if I turn it over by the key it will fire right up. Anyone have any ideas???
Thanks. Scott
 
JB

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: turns over slow

Hi, Scotty.

Have you serviced your starter circuit wiring? You should do this annually: Take both battery cables and the solenoid to starter cable off. Scrub all connections shiny and replace. The tiniest amount of corrosion/resistance in any one of those connections can cause your symptoms.

Good luck. :)
 
S

scottyisback44

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 8, 2012
Messages
33
Re: turns over slow

JB said:
Hi, Scotty.

Have you serviced your starter circuit wiring? You should do this annually: Take both battery cables and the solenoid to starter cable off. Scrub all connections shiny and replace. The tiniest amount of corrosion/resistance in any one of those connections can cause your symptoms.

Good luck. :)
Click to expand...

Its been cleaned. Supposedly it has a new starter last year. I bought the boat in february so I am taking the guys words on it. When it is jumped from a car it will spin over and start by the key. but thats not an option when its away from the dock...
 
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oldman570

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 25, 2011
Messages
1,615
Re: turns over slow

Try disconecting the cables at the motor and use jumper cables to replace the ones that are factory, and see if the older cables are bad. If it will spin over fast, you need to replace the cables. The connector on the side of some older motors can go bad and cause trouble.
Oldman570
 
C

CharlieB

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 10, 2007
Messages
5,617
Re: turns over slow

Contacts in the solenoid go bad. By-pass the solenoid with your jumper cables straight from the battery to the starter, if it cranks fine now you have proved a poor contact, move the pos cable to the next position closer to the starter and retest, kepp going til you narrow down the poor connection.

Remember that the starter is self grounding to the motor, ensure the mounts and bolts are clean and tight.
 
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