'97 75hp. merc 2 stroke will not start....

[beergoggles]

Just found this site.... I like it! So my motor will not start. the battery is good, sometimes the starter solenoid makes a clicking noise when turning the key and sometimes it doesn't. The starter will not engauge the flywheel. As soon as I turn the key all of the way to "start" the volt gauge drops to zero. Also happens when turned on and flipping any switch. I'm pretty sure it's a wiring problem, bad ground or loose connection somewhere.... I'm very boat illiterate. Any suggestions?

 

[mikeneal]

Re: '97 75hp. merc 2 stroke will not start....

Just found this site.... I like it! So my motor will not start. the battery is good, sometimes the starter solenoid makes a clicking noise when turning the key and sometimes it doesn't. The starter will not engauge the flywheel. As soon as I turn the key all of the way to "start" the volt gauge drops to zero. Also happens when turned on and flipping any switch. I'm pretty sure it's a wiring problem, bad ground or loose connection somewhere.... I'm very boat illiterate. Any suggestions?

Yes, I would bet a bad connection somewhere. Could be the +12 side or the ground side. If you don't have a multi meter only option is to start cleaning all connections. Might be time to take somewhere.

 

[Tech-9]

Re: '97 75hp. merc 2 stroke will not start....

definitely electrical, that's for sure. I would check all your connections...to the battery, the start solenoid, and your key switch. If it sometimes clicks and sometimes doesn't that means something is changing in there, like a loose connection. I would say your solenoid could just be junk, but if your volt gauge is dropping to zero, chances are its a loose wire somewhere.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: '97 75hp. merc 2 stroke will not start....

The fact that the voltmeter goes to zero says the battery cables between the engine and battery probably are loose or need to be disconnected, cleaned and reattached -- securely. Or if the problem still exists after that, have the battery load tested. Just because you put a charger on a battery, it is no guarantee the battery can "hold" the charge. Have it load tested at any auto store.

 

[beergoggles]

Re: '97 75hp. merc 2 stroke will not start....

The fact that the voltmeter goes to zero says the battery cables between the engine and battery probably are loose or need to be disconnected, cleaned and reattached -- securely. Or if the problem still exists after that, have the battery load tested. Just because you put a charger on a battery, it is no guarantee the battery can "hold" the charge. Have it load tested at any auto store.

All connections that i can get to are tight. some corrosion on starter switch terminals. cleaned. battery has been tested. it's good. battery connections are tight and clean. could the starter switch/starter solenoid be shorted internally or???? maybe I have more than one issue here....

 

[JB]

Re: '97 75hp. merc 2 stroke will not start....

"All connections that i can get to are tight."

Not good enough goggles. Take them off and clean them. . .both ends of both battery cables and the solenoid to starter cable.

 

[beergoggles]

Re: '97 75hp. merc 2 stroke will not start....

Got it! Like I said before all of the battery cable connections to the battery and motor were secure and clean. Both ohmed ok, however there was some corrosion inside of the insulation for the positive cable. Hard to find but now I know. Because I had continuity I figured it was good. I replaced both battery cable terminals....good as new. Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[JB]

Re: '97 75hp. merc 2 stroke will not start....

Good job, goggles. A bit of FYI: An ohmmeter is useless in detecting the milliohms that can disable a starter circuit. Voltage drop checks can isolate those few milliohms.