Starting issues after replacing Starter

[aisler]

Guys

Have a 1998 Merc Force 90 hp (serial 0E325351) and the started fried a few weeks ago. I replaced it, and it is struggling to spin up the flywheel. It will start to spin up, then just kinda stop in the flywheel. I have to assume I have a weak connection somewhere, but everything seems clean and tight.

Battery is good as I have tried it with 2 brand new batteries I bought for the TM with the same CCA as the cranking battery. The one thing that I want to swap out is the 5 inch black cable between the solenoid and the bottom of the starter. It did have some melting on it after the other starter failed. Anyone know what gauge that wire is?

Can someone give me the test points that could get me to a resolution?

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Starting issues after replacing Starter

take the old 5" piece off and go to any auto parts store and ask them for the parts to make one. tell them that bigger is better.

then put a volt meter on the wire on the starter and on a clean bolt head that holds the starter. have someone crank motor if it read lower than 10v then you have a bad connection or solinoid. polish all connections for the positive and the negative (thats where the battery lead is bolted to the motor) then try again.


p.s what fryed the other starter....it didnt get stuck in the flywheel did it?

 

[TwoFish]

Re: Starting issues after replacing Starter

Check the main battery cables where they go through the cowling at the front of the motor as they can crack there due to flexing when lifting and lowering the motor. You will need to slide the cables out slightly to be able to see.

You could also use jumper cables directly to the starter to church of it is ok. Ignition off. Beware of moving parts. I have a detailed discription of how to do this on a different computer. Can post it later of this would help.

 

[aisler]

Re: Starting issues after replacing Starter

not really sure what fried the starter. It is the original. It was grinding a little bit before it failed. Similar thing happened on a lawn mower I had. When I pulled it apart, one of the brushes was in pieces. I will test the volts at the starter and reply back.

take the old 5" piece off and go to any auto parts store and ask them for the parts to make one. tell them that bigger is better.

then put a volt meter on the wire on the starter and on a clean bolt head that holds the starter. have someone crank motor if it read lower than 10v then you have a bad connection or solinoid. polish all connections for the positive and the negative (thats where the battery lead is bolted to the motor) then try again.


p.s what fryed the other starter....it didnt get stuck in the flywheel did it?

 

[aisler]

Re: Starting issues after replacing Starter

Thanks. Post it and I will try.

 

[carholme]

Re: Starting issues after replacing Starter

Are you sure that this is a 90hp as the s/n comes up at mercury as a 120hp:


FORCE - (120 H.P. (1998 ))
Serial No: 0E325351 Model No: H120412UD

Gerry

 

[aisler]

Re: Starting issues after replacing Starter

It is for sure a 90.

Just looked at it again and hard to read the 6th number clearly.

It could be 0E325251 or 0E325751

And BTW, now the solenoid just clicks when I turn the key.

Are you sure that this is a 90hp as the s/n comes up at mercury as a 120hp:


FORCE - (120 H.P. (1998 ))
Serial No: 0E325351 Model No: H120412UD

Gerry

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Starting issues after replacing Starter

Test the solenoid with a test light.Sounds like it's shorted out??
It could be bad and not allowing enough voltage through?
Check all grounds. Check connections again.
The battery cables at the store? Make sure the connectors are all copper.
The crap they sell off the shelf is just that, CRAP.
Feel the whole length of the cables??
The cable should be at least a#4 guage wire.

 

[aisler]

Re: Starting issues after replacing Starter

Okay, looks like I got a bum starter. Solenoid is passing 12.9 v (I assume that is enough) right to the post on the starter. I pulled it and put jumper cables to the starter and nothing. Guess it was bad right out of the box. It worked, but just barely, then finally gave out. Should have a new one Friday and will try it.

Test the solenoid with a test light.Sounds like it's shorted out??
It could be bad and not allowing enough voltage through?
Check all grounds. Check connections again.
The battery cables at the store? Make sure the connectors are all copper.
The crap they sell off the shelf is just that, CRAP.
Feel the whole length of the cables??
The cable should be at least a#4 guage wire.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Starting issues after replacing Starter

Okay, looks like I got a bum starter. Solenoid is passing 12.9 v (I assume that is enough) right to the post on the starter. I pulled it and put jumper cables to the starter and nothing. Guess it was bad right out of the box. It worked, but just barely, then finally gave out. Should have a new one Friday and will try it.

not saying you did but be extra carefull when you tighten the positve lead to the post on the starter if you over tighten it the bolt will spin and pull the brushes off the stator (not telling you how i know that). i hope you are getting a free starter (return) but if you are not then broke is broke so it might be worth taking a peek inside the old one to see if theres a problem with the brushes.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Starting issues after replacing Starter

Like glenn said ,I'd have to take it apart and SEE???

 

[aisler]

Re: Starting issues after replacing Starter

So you are clearly a psychic. The post is spinning. I did some work on it on the water when it would not start and only had 1 3/8 inc wrench. I bet since I did not hold that first nut tight against the housing, the whole post spun out. I am getting a free replacement, so I will not open this one to see, even though it is gonna bug me to know, but I bet that is exactly what happened. I will put the lead on the new one on with it off the boat so I can tighten and not break it.:blue:

not saying you did but be extra carefull when you tighten the positve lead to the post on the starter if you over tighten it the bolt will spin and pull the brushes off the stator (not telling you how i know that). i hope you are getting a free starter (return) but if you are not then broke is broke so it might be worth taking a peek inside the old one to see if theres a problem with the brushes.