Starter motor question? Starter takes a while to crank and then cranks very slowly.

I have a 2007 Larson 180. It has a Mercruiser 135 hp engine. I haven't taken the boat out for months then took it out and had a really difficult time starting it.

The main problem was when I would start it, the starter would not crank. It would make a click and then do nothing. At first, I thought the batteries were dead because the starter would not crank. Then I just held the key in the start position for like 5-10 seconds and then the starter would turn over but very slowly. It sounds like the starter has a difficult time cranking and is kinda frozen. I did end up getting it started but it was very hard after several tries.

I have checked the batteries and they are charged. The rest of the boats electronics are on when I turn the key.

Anybody have suggestions at to what the problem may be? Thanks

Re: Starter motor question? Starter takes a while to crank and then cranks very slowl

you have either a bad starter, or a bad connection on a cable. I would tend to guess a bad connection. Remove all of the cables in the starting circuit, including ground, and clean. Corrosion in the connections will cause a voltage drop, and poor starter performance. If you verify that all of the cables and connections are clean and trouble free, then you have a bad starter.

Re: Starter motor question? Starter takes a while to crank and then cranks very slowl

When all wires are clean and if it still cranks slow touch the terminals on the starter solenoid and see if they are red hot. If hot needs new solenoid.

Re: Starter motor question? Starter takes a while to crank and then cranks very slowl

Sunfish12 said:

When all wires are clean and if it still cranks slow touch the terminals on the starter solenoid and see if they are red hot. If hot needs new solenoid.

Click to expand...

Not neccessarily so. The starter piles up carbon and copper dust in the end that is pointed down until it fills up to the brushes and shorts it out. That would heat up the solenoid even if it's good.

Best to hold an amp meter (Napa etc) against the starter wire and crank it. It should be around 120 amps. If it's much higher, the starter is bad.

Re: Starter motor question? Starter takes a while to crank and then cranks very slowl

Good to know. Direct voltage to starter should rule out starter if you get a strong crank.

Re: Starter motor question? Starter takes a while to crank and then cranks very slowl

Also, since your engine is a MerCruiser, there is a seperate section for Mercruisers as this is for the Mercury/Mariner outboards.

Re: Starter motor question? Starter takes a while to crank and then cranks very slowl

Oops. I did put it in the wrong category. Thanks for the info.