Starter for 1999 120HP Merc Force issue

[cucinae5]

Posted before on an issue I was having starting my boat. Looked over the starter and I can't tell if something is wrong with it or not so I am going to post what I am having an issue with again and what the latest status is.

When I go to start my boat it takes 10 to 15 tries to get it to kick on. When I took the motor cover off I am noticing when I turn the key the starter is contacting the flywheel and not giving it enough push to kick over. Sometimes the gear locks/sticks in place to the flywheel. Sometimes I can get it to kick over.

the other day i was out and the same situation happened and i used a rope to start the motor. I had my dad turn the key while i pulled at the same time and it kicked right over without hesitation.

So I am definitly thinking it is the starter. Before I went to the rope for help, i did notice some smoke somke coming from my starter as well and it got really hot from cranking on it.

does anyone agree with this assesment that it is the starter since the motor kicks right over when i use the rope to assist the starter?

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Starter for 120HP Merc Force issue

Re: Starter for 120HP Merc Force issue

Most starter problems are due to bad connections with your battery cables or a bad battery (regardless of age). The best way to check them is with a voltage drop test. If you don't know how to do that you could temporarily substitute the cables with jumper cables. If all cables are good and the battery passes a load test then have your starter tested by your local auto electric shop. They can rebuild it for you if needed.

 

[cucinae5]

Re: Starter for 1999 120HP Merc Force issue

I took my batteries to have them checked out and was told they were good to go. Fully charged. Let me give a little more detail on the issue as well. When i bought the boat i did a test run with the owner. He had no issues starting the boat at all. two tries and it kicked into gear.

i took it out on my own once for the first time accidentally hit the kill switch and didn't realize it. Not knowing this and getting annoyed i couldn't get it started i cranked the hell out of it only to find out after taking the boat home that i had the kill switch off the entire time.

That is another reason i really think i burned something up in the starter.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Starter for 1999 120HP Merc Force issue

Sounds like you cooked the starter.Take it to a starter shop.Have it rebuilt.J

 

[cucinae5]

Re: Starter for 1999 120HP Merc Force issue

any ideas how much it cost to rebuild one? looking at the type i have and I am not 100% on this, but i priced them on amazon and i can get one for like $75.00 there and 150 at a marine shop.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Starter for 1999 120HP Merc Force issue

Depends on the damage.If it's only the brushes then $15-35 Any more damage and it will be cheaper to buy on Amazon.
Take it and get an estimate.Usually no cost.J

 

[cucinae5]

Re: Starter for 1999 120HP Merc Force issue

Depends on the damage.If it's only the brushes then $15-35 Any more damage and it will be cheaper to buy on Amazon.
Take it and get an estimate.Usually no cost.J

is installing as easy as it looks. It looks like three bolts. The two at the top and one at the base connecting the wire. Do i need to do anything else besides simply swapping them out?