1970 Mercury 65hp Starter Problem

[gciccol]

I have a '70 Mercury 65hp outboard that was sitting for 6 months. Last time I used it, it ran fine.

When I tried to start it today I could hear a slight "click", but that was it. I was holding down the choke button and turning the ignition key. Seemed like it was froze. I live in Phoenix so I know that's not the issue, 75 today! The battery is fully charged and gas is fresh.

I tapped hard on the starter and then it engaged and started fine.

I'm worried I'll be in the middle of the lake and the starter will "freeze" again. So, a couple of questions:

1. Is there a way to test the starter?
2. Could the solenoid be the problem? If so, how do I test it.
3. Looks tricky to replace the starter, are there any instructions or videos posted that show how to do it? I couldn't find any on the forums.
4. Any thoughts or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

 

[crem1]

Re: 1970 Mercury 65hp Starter Problem

Usually it means that the battery is weak or the posts on the battery are dirty and you are not getting good contact.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: 1970 Mercury 65hp Starter Problem

If you let it sit for 6 months and didn't touch the battery then that for sure is your problem. But like crem mentioned, while you are messing with the battery, wouldn't hurt to disassemble the wiring at the terminals and shine it all up...clean, bright, and tight.

Mark

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1970 Mercury 65hp Starter Problem

When I bought my SS with '71 80hp Merc the guy had it jumped to his truck to run it on muffs.

He wanted to keep the battery to exchange it since he said it had died. It looked new so I told him to leave it with the boat if possible(I didn't have an extra crank start handy).

Turns out the only issue was the post connecters had frayed wire and just needed to be screwed in tightly for the juice to flow. I repaired it and it worked great.

Sometimes it's little things like this you have to check before digging into the OB and replacing parts.

Good luck

 

[gciccol]

Re: 1970 Mercury 65hp Starter Problem

Thanks everyone for the tips. Took it out today and started fine all day. Appreciate the help.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1970 Mercury 65hp Starter Problem

Cool...glad to hear she ran well

What kind of boat are you running the merc on?

Just curious what kind of speeds you are getting with your setup. I haven't had the gps on mine yet but I'm hoping she will get up to 40mph once I get my WOT issues worked out.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: 1970 Mercury 65hp Starter Problem

If you let it sit for 6 months and didn't touch the battery then that for sure is your problem. But like crem mentioned, while you are messing with the battery, wouldn't hurt to disassemble the wiring at the terminals and shine it all up...clean, bright, and tight.

Mark

Well I obviously didn't pay attention to the full text of your post concerning the fully charged battery. Sorry about that. When you (I) start reading a post, the trouble shooting part of your (my) brain kicks in and sometimes comes up with a possible solution before it registers all the facts. Looks like the case here.

Glad you got it fixed. A little lube on the starter bendix and shaft wouldn't hurt.

Mark

 

[gciccol]

Re: 1970 Mercury 65hp Starter Problem

Thanks for the advice. Should I use something other than wd-40? Really appreciate the help.

 

[gciccol]

Re: 1970 Mercury 65hp Starter Problem

I'm running the 65hp Merc on a Starcraft Super Sport V. Both are 1970 so they're showing their age.

I don't have any gagues hooked up so I don't know my rpm or speed. I suspect I don't get to 40mhp. It seems to take a few minutes to get up to speed. You can hear the engine slowly climb and smooth out. As I'm new to boating I don't know if that's normal.

 

[17.5cobra]

Re: 1970 Mercury 65hp Starter Problem

I have a '70 Mercury 65hp outboard that was sitting for 6 months. Last time I used it, it ran fine.

When I tried to start it today I could hear a slight "click", but that was it. I was holding down the choke button and turning the ignition key. Seemed like it was froze. I live in Phoenix so I know that's not the issue, 75 today! The battery is fully charged and gas is fresh.

I tapped hard on the starter and then it engaged and started fine.

I'm worried I'll be in the middle of the lake and the starter will "freeze" again. So, a couple of questions:

1. Is there a way to test the starter?
2. Could the solenoid be the problem? If so, how do I test it.
3. Looks tricky to replace the starter, are there any instructions or videos posted that show how to do it? I couldn't find any on the forums.
4. Any thoughts or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Hey just wanted to add something .Even know its working fine you say you TAPED HARD on the side of the starter I did that once on my merc 50 aprox same year and it turned out to be fatal the inside of those starters are cased with a big magenet and with mine when I hit it I shaterd that magenet.They get old and brittle so I would caution against hitting it.I was quoted 500 Can. for new it cost me 150 Can. to get it rebuilt locally.I found a stamp on mine that said don,t hit side of starter,put on from the factory.