'74 Merc 850 outboard starting trouble

psweang

Recruit
Joined
May 7, 2006
Messages
4
Hi all. I'm new to this forum and to boating in general. My teenage son and I refurbished a 1978 16' beretta boat last summer. It has a 1974 850 Mercury outboard. When trying to start with the key it makes a clicking sound at motor. Trying to jump over at solenoid it does the same thing. Battery is fully charged and all leads are secure. Everyone has a way better clue than I about 2 strokers, especially outboards. So any info would be appriciated.
 

timmathis

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
1,295
Re: '74 Merc 850 outboard starting trouble

Must be the solenoid itself . Check the voltage with volt meter at the solenoid make sure it has at least 12v.
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
29,031
Re: '74 Merc 850 outboard starting trouble

psweang, You can jump from the hot side of the solenoid to the starter connection to see if the starter engages. Then you will know if the solenoid is bad. You might first try to turn the flywheel by hand to make sure the motor is not locked up.
 

psweang

Recruit
Joined
May 7, 2006
Messages
4
Re: '74 Merc 850 outboard starting trouble

I'll give that a try after work this evening. Thanks guys.
 
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