Motor barely turns over, sometimes it's OK and starts

Post by **FishToLive** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 11:54 am

Hello all,

I'm having starting issues with my 90HP 2 stroke Mercury (2000).

It barely turns over and sometimes its turn OK and starts right up. If I turn it off then crank it again, it might start again or barely turn over....

I have a good battery (tried a different one....same problem....).

I cleraned and lubed the connections at the battery and on the solonoid and starter.

Not too sure what it could be....starter? Any help????

Thanks,

Pat

Post by **Sportspal** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:56 pm

I had the exact same problem with my 2 stroke 25HP.
Its a faulty ignition module. Had it replaced, all fixed.

Contact mikemicropterus, and he'll get you all fixed up.

Post by **Bass Addict** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 5:29 pm

Does sound like a starter issue to me

Have it checked out at a marine shop

Post by JP » Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:40 am

Check your battery voltage with a proper load tester. If you do not have a fully charged battery these problems can occur. Check all your battery connections at the battery and to the outboard.
Does the bendix spin but not make contact with the fly wheel?
if it does try a small bit of lithium grease on the shaft of the bendix (little clog wheel that engages the fly wheel).

If that doesn't solve it contact your local marine mechanic and have them check the ignition modual and starter.

Hope this helps

JP

Post by **FishToLive** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:06 pm

JP wrote:Check your battery voltage with a proper load tester. If you do not have a fully charged battery these problems can occur. Check all your battery connections at the battery and to the outboard.
Does the bendix spin but not make contact with the fly wheel?
if it does try a small bit of lithium grease on the shaft of the bendix (little clog wheel that engages the fly wheel).

If that doesn't solve it contact your local marine mechanic and have them check the ignition modual and starter.

Hope this helps

JP

I'll have the battery load tested to make sure....

I cleaned all the connections at the battery, solenoid & starter and added anti-corrosion grease.

The bendix works great, doesn't stick at all.

Post by JP » Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:51 am

When it doesn't start are you hearing a click?

JP

Post by **FishToLive** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:46 pm

JP wrote:When it doesn't start are you hearing a click?

JP

Yup, it clicks when it doesn't start but doesn't turn over...

Thanks for your help guys... I won't be able to check it until Friday morning but with your inputs, I will have a better idea.

Thanks a bunch...Pat

Post by **Booyashaka** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 11:03 am

SOLENOID!!!

Post by JP » Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:40 pm

Check to see if you have power past the solinoid at the starter.

JP

Post by **FishToLive** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:01 pm

JP wrote:Check to see if you have power past the solinoid at the starter.

JP

On crank? When it barely turns over?

Post by JP » Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:33 am

Easy way to check the starter is to by pass everything and hook direct power up to the starter. This can be done with booster cables from the battery touching the starter. If it rolls every time it is touched then the starter is not the issue.

Place a jumper wire over the solinoid and try to try to start. If the motor starts it is most likely the solinoid.

JP

Post by **FishToLive** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:44 pm

JP wrote:Easy way to check the starter is to by pass everything and hook direct power up to the starter. This can be done with booster cables from the battery touching the starter. If it rolls every time it is touched then the starter is not the issue.

Place a jumper wire over the solinoid and try to try to start. If the motor starts it is most likely the solinoid.

JP

That's perfect, I'm on my way to the cottage to check it out. Thanks.

Post by **FishToLive** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:21 pm

Looks like it always barely turns over, I couldn't start it today

I tried 2 batteries....

It barely turns over when I put 12V to the starter with a booster cable (with the ignition key on of course...)

I put the starter in the bench vise and put 12V to it with a good battery and booster cables: the bendix operates fine and the starter spins good

I'm baffled, is it my starter or a motor problem?

Post by **FishToLive** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:54 am

Starter is the problem

I opened the starter to inspect it. The brushes were not moving freely (gummed up). The little groves where the brushes contact were filled up.
The wire on one of the brushes was 99% brocken off.

Cleaned & sanded everything up & welded the wire as good as I could (just to retest the starter) and it fired right up.

I will get a brush kit for my starter and I should be good to go.

Post by JP » Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:58 am

glad to hear you found the problem.

jP