Mercruiser 454-'89 won't start or turnover

[scott34]

trying to start my mercruiser 454's year 1987. It turned over once then didn't turn again. Replaced battery (needed a new one anyways) and now what seems to be the solenoid is just clicking once and the motor is not turning over. Worked great three weeks ago before heavy rains. Is it solenoid, coil, or starter? Any advice out there.

 

[hoot]

Re: Mercruiser 454-'89 won't start or turnover

have voltmeter? check volts on battery, may not be fully charged. you can jump around the solenoids by using a jumper directy to starter lug and see if it spins. you can pull the front off of a delco solenoid and inspect the washer and post.

 

[scott34]

Re: Mercruiser 454-'89 won't start or turnover

Yes i have voltmeter. It is a ne fully charged battery. actually there are twin inboards so there are two batteries. The other engine cranks up quicker and stronger than it did before the old battery was reaplaced. I can feel the solenoid getting hot, don't know what that means but put a tester too it and it gets 12 volts and then 13+ volts when key turned to crank. It just clicks once like it is trying to turn but won't. When I first tried to after three weeks it turned over a few times like slowly like battery was down and then I replaced battery and then didnt turn at all?

 

[mkast]

Re: Mercruiser 454-'89 won't start or turnover

Use the solenoid from the good engine to test the bad one.

 

[cc lancer]

Re: Mercruiser 454-'89 won't start or turnover

Scott,<br />Since you are in Miami, with the salt air and a 17 year old starter, it doesn't sound good.<br />I would take the entire starter off, rather than switch solenoids, take it to the Auto parts store and they can test the whole thing, but if it is dead replace with a marine starter, don't use an car starter. Remember to disconnect the battery before you start. Good Luck!!

 

[CTD]

Re: Mercruiser 454-'89 won't start or turnover

Try turning a light on like the stern lite and then try cranking, if it dims way down the starter is drawing a lot. Then try turning the engine by hand to see if it will turn over, could be locked up. When you said it turned once did it just start to turn over then stop or did it start and then not turn over next time.