150 start trouble

[Rippin_54]

I have a merc 1979 150hp. When starting, sometimes i hear just a click,(like a dead batter) and i have to keep turning the key on and off and fighting with it to get the starter to engage. Battery is brand new, and charged up. The ground wire coming from the battery gets very hot, could amost burn your finger if i am cranking the engine alot, sometimes the old girl takes a little cranking to start.
Sometimes when cranking, the starter will disengage, and make humming sound. Strange thing is this is only about 50% of the time. Rest of the time starter is fine. Just wondering if starter needs rebuilt, or it could possible be the solonoid?

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: 150 start trouble

Check both ends of both battery cables to be sure they are clean and tight. Also look for signs of corrosion at the base of the lugs. They can corrode inside where you can't see it. If you are positive they are all good you can jump the solenoid by foing from the pos side of the battery. If the starter still acts up, have it rebuilt or replace it.

 

[Rippin_54]

Re: 150 start trouble

i know all my connections are good, next time i will try positive from battery to solonoid to see if anything changes. I am pretty sure it is the starter, i just hate to rebuild it, and find out that thats not the prob.

thanx for the reply.

 

[hkeiner]

Re: 150 start trouble

The below linked thread contains a starter troubleshooting guide. The next time your motor acts up and won't start, you might try peforming the tests shown in the guide. It will probably help you find the problem.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=224094&highlight=starter

 

[JB]

Re: 150 start trouble

"i know all my connections are good"

Have you taken them off and thoroughly cleaned them? Tight is not good enough.

Have you done the voltmeter troubleshooting of the starter circuit as explained in "Outboard won't start" in the Engine FAQs?

You have classic symptoms of corrosion in the starter wiring or connections. This happens a hundred or so times to every actually bad starter.