Mercruiser 4.3 starter not turning over the engine

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downsouth37334

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I just got a newly rebuilt engine. I swapped everything over and I got it sitiing on a box I made in the garage. I want to start it and make sure everything is good before I install it. When I try to crank it the starter engages on the flywheel and just clicks but want turn the motor over. I took the starter to a shop and had it rebuilt. It still does the same thing. I replaced the ring gear before installing the flywheel and I verified it was the correct one and the starter teeth do line up on the flywheel. I have taken out all the spark plugs and the motor spins easily with a wrench. The battery is good. It still looks like a bad starter to me. Anyone have some ideas? Thanks.
 
Bondo

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Re: Mercruiser 4.3 starter not turning over the engine

downsouth37334 said:
I just got a newly rebuilt engine. I swapped everything over and I got it sitiing on a box I made in the garage. I want to start it and make sure everything is good before I install it. When I try to crank it the starter engages on the flywheel and just clicks but want turn the motor over. I took the starter to a shop and had it rebuilt. It still does the same thing. I replaced the ring gear before installing the flywheel and I verified it was the correct one and the starter teeth do line up on the flywheel. I have taken out all the spark plugs and the motor spins easily with a wrench. The battery is good. It still looks like a bad starter to me. Anyone have some ideas? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Sounds like a Dead battery to me,...

How did ya test it, as ya say it's "Good",..??
 
Don S

Don S

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Re: Mercruiser 4.3 starter not turning over the engine

When I try to crank it the starter engages on the flywheel and just clicks but want turn the motor over.
Click to expand...

Dead battery, or loose,corroded, battery cables or connections.
 
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downsouth37334

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Re: Mercruiser 4.3 starter not turning over the engine

Bond-o said:
Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Sounds like a Dead battery to me,...

How did ya test it, as ya say it's "Good",..??
Click to expand...

Just checked it with a meter. It is 12.6V and when the started is engaged it holds at 11.2V
 
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84EdH

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Re: Mercruiser 4.3 starter not turning over the engine

I had that problem and found it to be the cables were not tight enough, even though I thought they were. Be sure there clean and real tight.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: Mercruiser 4.3 starter not turning over the engine

downsouth37334 said:
Just checked it with a meter. It is 12.6V and when the started is engaged it holds at 11.2V
Click to expand...

Ayuh,.... At the battery terminals, or the starter terminals,..??

11.2v is low...
 
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downsouth37334

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Re: Mercruiser 4.3 starter not turning over the engine

Bond-o said:
Ayuh,.... At the battery terminals, or the starter terminals,..??

11.2v is low...
Click to expand...

I took the battery and had it load tested and it is good. The wires look fine and I think I have it wired correctly. On the big center lug on the starter I have a small red wire, orange wire, and big red wire (that goes to battery post). On the small right post I have a white wire with a red stripe. On the small left post i have no wire. The ground wire from the battery goes to a stud on the motor mount. At the harness plug I have a jumper wire going to terminal 5 and 6 (this is for the ignition coil). I then take a jumper wire from the battery to terminal 7 (this activates the starter). Is this all correct?
 
DeepBlue2010

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Re: Mercruiser 4.3 starter not turning over the engine

Can you turn the engine manually?
 
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downsouth37334

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Re: Mercruiser 4.3 starter not turning over the engine

DeepBlue2010 said:
Can you turn the engine manually?
Click to expand...

Yes, it will turn with a wrench. Before I had the starter rebuilt I connected the battery cables directly to the starter and it only did the clicking sound. I will try loosening the starter bolts and crank it. Maybe it is too tight on the flywheel
 
Don S

Don S

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Re: Mercruiser 4.3 starter not turning over the engine

Do you have a good ground cable? Just clicking sounds like low amperage through the system.
 
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