electric start bad, Mercury 40HP 1978

suthman100 · #1 July 21st, 2005, 01:27 PM

Engine was runnning fine, all of a sudden when I try to start with electric start it turns over very slowly and will not start. Engine starts first pull on pull start.

Any ideas?

suthman100 · #2 July 21st, 2005, 01:33 PM

replaced battery same problem,

checked nuetral switch, it is good.

bhile · #3 July 21st, 2005, 02:13 PM

Check all your wiring from the starter back. Be sure they are all clean and tight. If everything is ok, try jumping the 2 big wires on the solenoid. Be careful because sparks will fly. If the starter still turns slowly, have the starter rebuilt or replaced. If it tries to start normally, replace the solenoid.

bhile · #4 July 21st, 2005, 02:15 PM

Check all your wiring from the starter back. Be sure they are all clean and tight. If everything is ok, try jumping the 2 big wires on the solenoid. Be careful because sparks will fly. If the starter still turns slowly, have the starter rebuilt or replaced. If it tries to start normally, replace the solenoid.

suthman100 · #5 July 21st, 2005, 02:39 PM

Appriciate the response, we completed those items you listed and it looks like the starter is bad. I had it rebuilt not less then a month ago. Could it still be the starter?

bhile · #6 July 21st, 2005, 06:33 PM

Sure it can. It may not have been put back together properly. It should still be under warranty.