Outboard won't start

[natedog212002]

The other day I drove an hour to a lake I wanted to fish, unloaded the boat, and then the outboard wouldn't start. I took a voltmeter out and checked the battery, solenoid, and all the connects, but I still can't figure it out.

When I turn the key all I get is that clicking/chattering sound and the flywheel will turn slightly, but that's it. I know the battery is good, and even tried another one just to make sure. I cleaned all the connections with no change.

The voltmeter reads 17 on the starting battery and the solenoid. When I turn it over it drops down to about 8 and I get a .75 reading from the terminal/wire connecting the solenoid to the starter. It just acts like there's no power to turn it over.

If there's one thing I'm not it's an electrician, so if anyone would have some advice it'd be much appreciated.

[ffishman]

From my experience, its the battery or a connection. Recheck everything, try a new battery, you must have missed something.

[staylor]

It sounds like you have voltage at the battery and voltage going into the solenoid but nothing coming out of it. This can indicate a bad battery, a bad solenoid, a bad connection in or out of the solenoid or a bad ground connection. You have to check all four- and when I've had this trouble, 9 times out of ten its the battery. A battery can have good voltage even when the plates are so full of crud that it won't even light a small lightbulb. You can check the connections for continuity with an ohm meter- but disconnect the battery first when fooling around with connections.
Doug

[went522]

Is the starter bendix stuck on the flywheel?? I've seen a few times if the bendix sticks to the flywheel they won't turn over, might move the flywheel a hair but doesn't have the juice to turn it. Same symptoms your describing. If it is stuck, wedge a screw driver up there and pop it back down. May not be your problem but definitly worth checking out. Cousins merc would do it a few times a year, pop it back down it was good for a few months.

BIRDDOG

[ejj]

Check the load coming from the battery. I bet that thing is shot. How old? Used a lot? Batteries do better the more you use them. That's why they do so well in cars. Marine batteries don't last that long because of this...

[natedog212002]

Thank you for the suggestions. I personally cleaned and lubricated all the electrical connections, and I even took the starter off and cleaned it. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary when I had it apart. I've also tried using another battery with the same results. I could get a 3rd one to make sure I suppose. The motor is a 1987 85hp Merc. Man I hate electrical problems.

[Hot Runr Guy]

I'd take a hard look at the main battery cables from the motor. After 12 years, you could certainly have corrosion within the cable itself. I'd take a pair of jumper cables, and starting with the negative side, clamp on to the negative terminal at the battery, and find a good clean grounding spot on the block, and try it. Then, do the same on the positive side, from the battery to where the cable attach's at the solenoid. Many times, cutting off a couple inches of the cables, and attaching new, sealed terminals, will get rid of some nasty looking corroded wiring.
HRG

[huskerdu]

Check the key switch, I had a issue like yours and had to replace the hole igniton switch. Huskerdu!

[bloodman]

Before you start replacing things make sure you check the ground connection on the outboard. These loosen sometimes. Its the black wire that is bolted directly to the engine block.

[Shellback]

If you are positive the second battery you tried is good, follow HRG's idea for problems with the cables.

[bumps2]

The voltmeter reads 17 on the starting battery and the solenoid. When I turn it over it drops down to about 8 and I get a .75 reading from the terminal/wire connecting the solenoid to the starter. It just acts like there's no power to turn it over.



I think you need to get an accurate voltmeter. A fully charged 12v battery should read in the area of 12.7 volts from positive terminal to negative terminal. I think you'll find you have a bad battery or cables.

b2

[natedog212002]

Thanks for all the suggestions again. I've pretty much figured out the solenoid is bad. Now there's no juice at all coming from it, and the starter spins well when bypassing it.