Turning key on my mercruiser 350 20-60 times to get it to crank..no click

mikethepike

Seaman Apprentice
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Dec 15, 2010
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42
I have twin 350's on my boat (502 hours), the starboard engine i have to turn the key 20-60 times or more just to get the engine to fire. I hear nothing when i turn the key , but after turning it to start and off multiple times i can get it to start up. This happens to both engines (but starboard side is rampant with pissing me off) and i've replaced both switches...but this keeps happening.

It could be a safety concern down the road , but for now it just irritates the heck out of me

starter solenoid, grounds (both ive chkd)

Please help

Thank you in advance
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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70,464
Re: Turning key on my mercruiser 350 20-60 times to get it to crank..no click

Ayuh,... More than likely it's just corroded wiring ends in the starting circuit...
Trace out the circuit, removing, sanding to Clean metal, cleaning, 'n reinstalling them....
Then slather a coating of Grease on 'em to keep it from happening again...

Oh,...
Don't forget to do the same on All the Ground circuit too...
 

1fishbone

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Nov 9, 2010
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Re: Turning key on my mercruiser 350 20-60 times to get it to crank..no click

Check the neutral/safety switch?
 

mkast

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Nov 6, 2002
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Re: Turning key on my mercruiser 350 20-60 times to get it to crank..no click

Check the neutral/safety switch?

Where does the throttle have to be positioned for the engine to crank, when the ignition key is turned to the start position?
 

mikethepike

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Dec 15, 2010
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Re: Turning key on my mercruiser 350 20-60 times to get it to crank..no click

Where does the throttle have to be positioned for the engine to crank, when the ignition key is turned to the start position?

Either the straight up position (N) or by pushing the button in and pushing the throttle in f or r
 

mikethepike

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 15, 2010
Messages
42
Re: Turning key on my mercruiser 350 20-60 times to get it to crank..no click

Ayuh,... More than likely it's just corroded wiring ends in the starting circuit...
Trace out the circuit, removing, sanding to Clean metal, cleaning, 'n reinstalling them....
Then slather a coating of Grease on 'em to keep it from happening again...

Oh,...
Don't forget to do the same on All the Ground circuit too...


So take everything apart and sand, clean and grease + reassemble????
 

Bondo

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Re: Turning key on my mercruiser 350 20-60 times to get it to crank..no click

So take everything apart and sand, clean and grease + reassemble????

Ayuh,... It costs nothing but yer Time, 'n gives you a baseline to Diagnose from...
 

Fishermark

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Oct 19, 2003
Messages
5,617
Re: Turning key on my mercruiser 350 20-60 times to get it to crank..no click

starter solenoid, grounds (both ive chkd)

Meaning you checked both solenoid AND grounds? OR you checked both solenoids? In case you don't realize, you have a solenoid on the starter, AND another solenoid separate from the starter called the slave solenoid.
 

mikethepike

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Dec 15, 2010
Messages
42
Re: Turning key on my mercruiser 350 20-60 times to get it to crank..no click

Meaning you checked both solenoid AND grounds? OR you checked both solenoids? In case you don't realize, you have a solenoid on the starter, AND another solenoid separate from the starter called the slave solenoid.


I chkd them to make sure they were tight...the starter solenoid and grounds, not the slave solenoid. That will be next when its warm enough.
 

Don S

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62,321
Re: Turning key on my mercruiser 350 20-60 times to get it to crank..no click

If you would read that link I posted, you could find the problem in 5 minutes or less.
 

mikethepike

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Dec 15, 2010
Messages
42
Re: Turning key on my mercruiser 350 20-60 times to get it to crank..no click

If you would read that link I posted, you could find the problem in 5 minutes or less.

I did and already made a copy of this whole thread including your diagram.


Thanks for all the help fella's . I hope i can donate some expertise just like you did to help me fix my no clicking/ starting issue. :)
 
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