1979 90hp Merc Starting Issue

[muskiemike12]

I have this motor. Just took the boat out of storage on Saturday at 10:30 am. It took about 3 to 4 minutes for the motor to start the first time. Did I fry the starter doing this? It started fine the rest of the day until 6:30 that evening. I turned the key and nothing. I then held the key turned for about 10 seconds and I could hear a clicking coming from the motor. It finally turned over once and fired. Back to the dock I headed. I will not turnover any more. I checked the starter solenoid and that is good. Do I need a new starter?

Thanks!

 

[muskiemike12]

Re: 1979 90hp Merc Starting Issue

Should I buy a new starter or could it be something else?

 

[mr 88]

Re: 1979 90hp Merc Starting Issue

The first thing I would do is to jump the starter motor directly,that will narrow down your search for the issue.Could be a number of things , solenoid, key switch,male-female connection on wiring harness where it attaches on the side of motor may have loose pins or corrosion that intermitingly works, try jiggling that while someone hits the key.Do not buy a starter to you are sure it's that.

 

[muskiemike12]

Re: 1979 90hp Merc Starting Issue

Alright going to troubleshoot the motor today. Hopefully we can figure it out. Might have more questions later today.

 

[muskiemike12]

Re: 1979 90hp Merc Starting Issue

Jumped it and the started worked. Then checked back through all the connections and every thing was good. It still would not work. Jumped it again and it turned slower than normal. Guessing it is the starter then?

 

[muskiemike12]

Re: 1979 90hp Merc Starting Issue

I just had the starter tested at a local marine shop and it turns out that it was the 34 year old starter that was the culprit. I just ordered a new Arco starter off iboats and will be at my door tomorrow. While pulling the starter out I noticed that the cable to the choke solenoid was in rough shape. After these 2 fixes I hope it will run the rest of the year smoothly.

 

[mr 88]

Re: 1979 90hp Merc Starting Issue

Great that you figured it out. These motors love to be over primed when cold starting. Keep squeezing that bulb after it gets hard,it forces gas out of the bowls and into the system for a quicker start.Choke her as well,very very hard to flood these so do not be afraid to try starting it that way.