Electric starter, 1st outing problem only!

[surfin_sarah]

I have a 98 murcery 60 elpto outboard, every year of the last 4 years, i try to turn in over and just get a click when trying to start. Finally after several trys it will finally engage and start. It will do this on the water about 1 more time, not good for the faint of heart on the water . How and what do i need to luberate to prevent this from happening? I know that the arm that engages starter to the flywheel is most likey the curpret. The battery is fully charged and problem seems to go away when used though out the season.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Electric starter, 1st outing problem only!

If the starter is only clicking and not running it's not the bendix and there is no arm. So it's either a loose or dirty battery cable or the solinoid

 

[jebeebe]

Re: Electric starter, 1st outing problem only!

I would bet on the selenoid. There is probably one contact in it that has ukky green stuff all over one side and the first time the selenoid slams it down it doesn't make contact or maybe arcs a little and knocks off some of the green, and the next time it comes down it makes a weak contact and starts. after that if used enough it will pollish up some. I would replace it. $20 ?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Electric starter, 1st outing problem only!

remove the cable from battery and motor, also from solenoid to starter. clean till shiney. also check for any nicks of swelling, as they tend to get nicked and deteriorate from the inside out. the replace, and tighten well. 90% of starter problems are battery cables. you can put a couple of drops of a light oil on the starter shaft, like 3 N 1 oil. don't drown it. you don't want it to run down into the started. wd 40 is a no no.