1983 ? Mariner 60hp starter solenoid help / Compression

[Shallowman]

Looking at a 60 hp Mariner that owner says has a bad solenoid , Best i can find is its a 1983 60 hp . He has offered me to come look /try to test or fix it to see if i want it . He had lost the key so i picked one up today and it fits but i get no click or anything at the solenoid and nothing from starter .

I prefer not to buy a solenoid or starter as iam not sure i want it if compression is low act. Iam NOT familiar with outboards at all but know what the starter and solenoid are and are located . Ive read i can try to bypass the solenoid to "test" the starter but read also that jumping the wrong posts could/would mess up something else so i want to be sure use the right ones ..

On my 1st pic of solenoid = Big yellow is going to starter / front one on solenoid ( with red tape at tip ) is hot ........ the smaller connectors = the left one is black the right side one is yellow . which do i need jump or send power too ??

 

[oldman570]

Re: 1983 ? Mariner 60hp starter solenoid help / Compression

You should be able top jumper from the larg red wire to the small yellow wire to see if the selinoid and starter are good. The starter will spin if they are good. If the starter dose nothing then using a insulated large screwdriver jump from the large red wire to the large yellow wire going to the starter and the starter should spin. If the starter dos not spin then the starter is bad. If the starter dose spin by jumping the large wires and doose nothing when jumping the larger red wire and small yellow then the selinoid is bad. If bothe causes the starter to spin then there could be a bad fuse ot the key switch or wiring could be bad.
Oldman570

 

[oldman570]

Re: 1983 ? Mariner 60hp starter solenoid help / Compression

The small red wire with the large black conector in it, under the large wire to the starter in the picture, should have a fuse in it that supplys battery to the control and other parts of the boat.
Oldman570

 

[Shallowman]

Re: 1983 ? Mariner 60hp starter solenoid help / Compression

Thank you oldman57 , the big red to small yellow did nothing , nor did the big red to big yellow ( but spark when i jumped them ) Guess i just need to decide if its worth spending 100 to 150 for solenoid and starter and take a chance of something in the motor being bad .

Let me ask this , can i try to check the compression using the pull cord ? Not sure how many time id have to spin it to get a good reading .

btw its the orig. starter iam guessing dated 03-22-83

 

[oldman570]

Re: 1983 ? Mariner 60hp starter solenoid help / Compression

The compression can be checked by removing all the plugs and grounding them out to the block, and placing the throthal in the WOT position. Use a socket on the flywheel nut and a 1/2" drill large enought to turn the motor for testing. Remmber the motor turns clockwise. Put muffs on the motor with the water running to keep the impeller from being damaged. The motor only needs to turn over about 3 or 4 times to get a good test. It sounds like the starter need to be rebuilt or replaced as you have stated. A good rebuild shop for starter can do the job usally for less than what a neww starter cost, a call to one in the Yellow Pages would not hurt.
Oldman570

 

[Shallowman]

Re: 1983 ? Mariner 60hp starter solenoid help / Compression

Good news is compression is the same on on three cyl. Not sure if these are low thou @ 118 . i'll see if i can get it to at least fire when i go over tomm. and i'll bring fresh charged battery to recheck tilt and trim ( it would go down real slow , but not up at all ) but battery was way down and when i checked the tilt trim reservoir it was very low also .
With the compression good and if i can get it to fire /get spark it may be worth taking a chance on for the price .

Side question : in the 2nd picture what is the orange piece under the prop called and for ?

 

[oldman570]

Re: 1983 ? Mariner 60hp starter solenoid help / Compression

The orange, thing if made from metal, appears to be a skeg saver that helps keep the skeg from getting broken if the motor is run in to shallow water. Rocky bottom rivers and lakes will damage, or break the skeg when the motor hits the bottom.
Oldman570

 

[Shallowman]

Re: 1983 ? Mariner 60hp starter solenoid help / Compression

Thanks again oldman570 , Its a hard plastic and just thought it was odd I messed with it some more today and by pulll cord i get spark , but didn't get it to attempt to fire . So as of right now it needs a starter and i noticed in this pic the white wire was inside wrapping with 3 other wire. The wrapping has a slice in it 4 inches long or so and i see the white wire is no longer connected . What does this wire do ? Iam guessing now the motor may not be worth what he wants for it ..

Might need to open a new thread since its not related to starter or solenoid .

 

[oldman570]

Re: 1983 ? Mariner 60hp starter solenoid help / Compression

Being that it looks to be in with yellows from under the flywheel, I would think the white wire should be light brown colored, and for a tach wire. Depending on the compression test, the condition of the motor, and how much time and $$$ you are wanting to spend on a motor, should be the main factor in buying it. I,ve seen some of the simular ones sell for as low as $500 running. A look on KBB will tell what the motor is worth in your area. Then make the choice as to buy it or not. JMO
Oldman570

 

[oldman570]

Re: 1983 ? Mariner 60hp starter solenoid help / Compression

Being that it looks to be in with yellows from under the flywheel, I would think the white wire should be light brown colored, and for a tach wire. Depending on the compression test, the condition of the motor, and how much time and $$$ you are wanting to spend on a motor, should be the main factor in buying it. I,ve seen some of the simular ones sell for as low as $500 running. A look on KBB will tell what the motor is worth in your area. Then make the choice as to buy it or not. JMO
Oldman570

 

[Shallowman]

Re: 1983 ? Mariner 60hp starter solenoid help / Compression

Its mine now , i went ahead and got it . I checked with test light :

Large red wire on solenoid = hot all time
Small yellow = hot when turning key like i was gonna start it ( does this also means neutral swich is correct when i have it on control ?)
Big yellow wire = Not hot any time ( even when turning key )
small black/dark wire = never hot either

So i will pull starter and maybe see if the auto store will test it . On the solenoid the big yellow wire ( from solenoid to starter ) should be hot also when turning the key correct ? Since its not , i need to order one also ? Local shop said rebuild on starter should be around 60.00 to 80.00 . Glad i only have part day at work tomm. want to get this squared up so i can transfer it to my boat

 

[oldman570]

Re: 1983 ? Mariner 60hp starter solenoid help / Compression

The big yellow wire should only be HOT when the key is turned to the start position. I test the starter by placing it in a vise and use jumper cables with ground to the vise and touching the pos. to the stud that the yellow wire is on. If it spins it should be good. Bad or correded conections can cause the current not to flow to full potentual and cause trouble. Clean all connections real good. While the stater is off the motor test the selonid by turning the switch to the start position and using a test light where the yellow wire goes and to the block, should light the test light when the switch is turned to the start position on the control. JMO
Oldman570

 

[Shallowman]

Re: 1983 ? Mariner 60hp starter solenoid help / Compression

Bought and replaced solenoid , good news is it now "clicks" since installing the solenoid . 2 issues thou .. battery was only at 240 cca , and since i put onthe solenoid , theres a beep/alarm back on the motor with the key on . Dropped starter off to get brush kit , asked about the trigger to see about getting it changed out --- OUCH ---- 289.00 for them to install a new one

 

[oldman570]

Re: 1983 ? Mariner 60hp starter solenoid help / Compression

Some parts are mighty pricey. You need to test the trigger before replacing it. Can save you $$$.