1998 25hp Mercury Tracker Model EL Electric Start Wont Work, Just Clicks.

Hello I am new to the forum and will be spending a lot of time on this forum because I want to learn how to fix any issue with my boat/motor myself. I recently bought a 1999 Tracker Superguide Pro-v-14 with a 1998 25hp Mercury Tacker Pro Series model EL. (it has gray engine cover). I took it out today for the first time. After launching, I started the engine with a few tries electrically and it fired right up. I drove to my fishing destination and cut the engine and trolled for a couple of hours. When I was ready to go I followed the same procedure to start the engine but this time when I turned the key it made a single click and did nothing. I tried a few more times to no avail. After getting a bit frustrated I pull started it and it fired right up. Could this be a low battery problem? Or maybe the boat was not in neutral but I thought it was? Please, any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Dillon.

Re: 1998 25hp Mercury Tracker Model EL Electric Start Wont Work, Just Clicks.

Hi Dillon.

Welcome to iboats.

Several things can cause the dreaded "click" disease. Most common is a small resistance in the current path for the starter. That can be a poor connection of the battery cables (either one), corrosion in the cable itself or a bad solenoid.

Take both battery cables off. Check them for weak or swollen spots. Scrub all connections shiny and reconnect. Then do the same to the short heavy cable from the solenoid to the starter.

If this doesn't fix it, go to the Engine FAQs forum ^^ and do the troubleshooting for "Outboard won't start".

Good luck, and let us know the outcome.

Re: 1998 25hp Mercury Tracker Model EL Electric Start Wont Work, Just Clicks.

Ok, so today I went out all day on the lake and I must has started and restarted it electrically more than a dozen times with no issue at all. When we were at the boat launch waiting in line to put the boat on the trailer I cut the engine and waited around for about 15 minutes until it was my turn. I went to start the boat and when I turned the key I got the click. So since people we behind me I pull started it and loaded it onto the trailer. Once out of the water I gave it a few more tries with the kill switch off just to see if it would turn over. Nothing. So I brought it to my fathers house where I store it when not in use. Once I parked it I tried again and it turned over just fine. Im thinking this may be a connection problem? I'm going to take all the connections apart and clean them very good just like you said with a wire brush and check the condition of the cables them selves. If it still acts the same after cleaning the connections I'll let you know. Thanks for the help. Dillon.