1972 merc red stripe 40 hp 2 stroke starting problems

[40hpmercredstripe]

Hi I'm working on my dads boat that has been sitting for some time. Its a older fishing boat with a 1972 red stripe merc 400 or 40 hp 2 stroke with mercontrol. Seems like it has bad wiring all over and have replaced any I find. Tempted to cut open the sheathing for the mercontrol and poke around, still on the list. I'm not sure if this is the right way to do it but I took jumper wires and attached them to a new starting battery with the other end grounded to the motor and attached the power to the solenoid power post where the wire went to the starter. Nothing happened no spark or anything and I cant reach the post on the starter directly. I tried taking the starter out to test it but it seems like theres not enough room to wiggle out. It started raining so no more work today, thanks for any help you can give.

Problems
no click sound when key turned nothing
starter makes no noise
choke clicks when hit
tried jumping starter from solenoid power post and nothing happened

engine turns over

 

[40hpmercredstripe]

Re: 1972 merc red stripe 40 hp 2 stroke starting problems

took a multimeter to it, seemed like the solenoid was getting power. took the hot wire for the starter and touched the jumper to it but no sparks and nothing happened with the starter. can I assume it needs to be rebuilt? Going to try and pull it out again but barely seems like enough room to come out.

 

[40hpmercredstripe]

Re: 1972 merc red stripe 40 hp 2 stroke starting problems

starter was bad and replaced
neutral safety switch was bad so bypassed it


Now I cant get spark, can anyone point me in the right direction in what to do?

 

[40hpmercredstripe]

Re: 1972 merc red stripe 40 hp 2 stroke starting problems

bump

 

[Yesterday]

Re: 1972 merc red stripe 40 hp 2 stroke starting problems

Your assessment with the starter was right. When you're testing for spark, though this may seem like a silly question, you do have the ignition switch on right? I ask because I had gotten into the same issue when bypassing all of the electrics, and forgot about that little nugget. temporarily hardwired the ignition "on" and presto.

Failing that it could be the output of your trigger coil to your "switch box" or the switch box itself. I would look closely at the wires on those channels, first. Also find your engine's "ignition - on" wires and check then with the ign in the on position - at the power head, to rule out anything in the remote wiring.

You shouldn't need to hack into the remote wiring harness as it's relatively protected compared to the exposed wires on the power head.

Another possible source of grief: Connector from remote to power head. The suggested continuity test should be a go-around for that.

 

[Yesterday]

Re: 1972 merc red stripe 40 hp 2 stroke starting problems

After thought:
I usually check what's going on with a trigger coil by using an analogue multimeter in AC volt scale, and spinning the motor over. It's far from ideal but gives me a good sense if it's working or not.