Mercruiser starter solenoid

[Eng]

I have a 1985 Sea Ray with a 4 cyl., 170 engine.<br />Just recently the solenoid has started acting up.<br />Sometimes the engine starts fine and other times I have to wrap on the solenoid to get the engine to turn over. Can I repair/replace the solenoid or is it one unit with the starter? A friend said the engine has to be lifted 4" to be able to replace the starter.

 

[lorax]

Re: Mercruiser starter solenoid

I dont mean to misdirect your thread but I was about to post a very similar question. This morning my '89 4.3L required a little tap on the solenoid to get the starter motor going.<br /><br />I thought that the only purpose of the solenoid on the starter was to engage the starter gear with the teeth on the flywheel. But my starter wouldn't run at all until I tapped the solenoid.<br /><br />What does the "slave solenoid" do?<br /><br />Again, I didn't mean to steel your thread but my question was so similar I thought I'd jump in. For what it's worth, my Clymer manual talks about removing - for repair - the solenoid on a Delco-Remy starter.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Mercruiser starter solenoid

Yes.. You can replace just the solenoid... Unfortunately, you will likely have to remove the starter to change it..

 

[pconsolini]

Re: Mercruiser starter solenoid

The solenoid on the starter is usually called a solenoid-switch. It throws the starter pinion into engagement with the flywheel gear and at the same time closes the circuit between the two power leads (fat terminals on the solenoid, one connected to the battery & the other to the starter motor). I had to replace one on my starter after an indavertent dunking. The starter motor itself was OK but the solenoid switch had a permanent 400 ohm short across the terminals from corrosion I presume. It was easy to replace (3 screws) but the starter had to be out which wasn't too hard to remove on my engine ('88 OMC 3L). The solenoid itself can be had from several sources (got mine from Arco Electric).

 

[hoot]

Re: Mercruiser starter solenoid

some solenoids can be cleaned up and reused. delco types can be disassembled and the front cover removed. the internal ends of the post corrode and wear away. some posts can be rotated 180 degrees and reused. a good cleaning of the contact disk will allow more starts before replacing.

 

[lorax]

Re: Mercruiser starter solenoid

Thanks for the helpful info.<br /><br />What about Eng's concern that the engine has to be lifted 4" to remove the starter?

 

[pconsolini]

Re: Mercruiser starter solenoid

The starter on mine (the 3L OMC) was a "newer" permanent magnet type, very light (abt 8#) and dropped straight down after two bolts (one long, one short) and a brace to the block were removed. Hardest part was getting the inboard bolt by feel as you can't see it at all. There was just enough clearance in the bilge to use a ratchet and a short extension. Needed the extension because of not enough clearance for the ratchet head alone.<br />The solenoid on this one used a crimped-on case so it was basically non-repairable.