Will not start, flywheel turns slow with starter

gbarbosa1982

Cadet
Joined
Oct 18, 2015
Messages
14
Have a 2002 Mercury 125hp, 2 stroke.
I have read several forums and have done it all, but flywheel continues to run slow.

facts:
- replaced the starter (brand new)
- runs at OK-speed without spark plugs
​​​​​​- Easy to turn the flywheel with hands without the spark plugs.
- tested the solenoid - ok
- brand new battery (multimeter shows 12.7v, so it was charged)
- I used jumper cable to direct connect to the starter and still runs slow.
- used the pull cord and really think it is hard to turn.

What am I missing? Why it runs slow (hard to turn)?

Thank you for your help.
 

Holy Shamolee

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 18, 2009
Messages
75
Dont know too much about outboard timing, but i had an old dodge that turned reall hard. Especially when it was warm. The timing was too advanced. It was firing when the piston was on the way up. Making it turn real hard.
 

The Force power

Commander
Joined
Feb 3, 2019
Messages
2,241
Have a 2002 Mercury 125hp, 2 stroke.
I have read several forums and have done it all, but flywheel continues to run slow.

facts:
- replaced the starter (brand new)
- runs at OK-speed without spark plugs
​​​​​​- Easy to turn the flywheel with hands without the spark plugs.
- tested the solenoid - ok
- brand new battery (multimeter shows 12.7v, so it was charged)
- I used jumper cable to direct connect to the starter and still runs slow.
- used the pull cord and really think it is hard to turn.

What am I missing? Why it runs slow (hard to turn)?

Thank you for your help.

You should post your question in the right post

When you said; "I used a jumper-cable" what are you jumping?
 
Last edited:

The Force power

Commander
Joined
Feb 3, 2019
Messages
2,241
Dont know too much about outboard timing, but i had an old dodge that turned reall hard. Especially when it was warm. The timing was too advanced. It was firing when the piston was on the way up. Making it turn real hard.

FYI
the Firing always occurs on the way up, the timing is BTDC
 

Holy Shamolee

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 18, 2009
Messages
75
Yes it always fires on the way up. But sometimes the timing is to far advanced.
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,036
Actually, the idle pickup timing for your ignition system should be slightly After Top Dead Center, if set correctly. Your ignition system idle pickup spec would be 0-9* ATDC.

To rule that out, turn ignition off at the keyswitch, and jumper the starter solenoid and see if she still turns slowly.

I agree that this should be moved to the Mercury OB repair Forum.
 

ahicks

Captain
Joined
Sep 16, 2013
Messages
3,957
I would suggest that at 12.7 volts, your battery may not be fully charged. Should read about a volt higher.
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
36,033
Remove & test the lower unit !!------The problem could be a seized lower unit.-------Drain oil and have a looky.
 

gbarbosa1982

Cadet
Joined
Oct 18, 2015
Messages
14
I would suggest that at 12.7 volts, your battery may not be fully charged. Should read about a volt higher.

Besides using the multimeter to check the voltage. I have a battery tester device and it said that it was at 98% charge.
 

gbarbosa1982

Cadet
Joined
Oct 18, 2015
Messages
14
Remove & test the lower unit !!------The problem could be a seized lower unit.-------Drain oil and have a looky.

Without the spark plugs, I can turn the flywheel with my hands, easily. Do you still think it can be the lower unit causing the flywheel to be hard to turn?
 

The Force power

Commander
Joined
Feb 3, 2019
Messages
2,241
Regarding what I jumped, I connected the battery directly to the starter, but it still ran it slow.

Thank you

Are the battery-cables in good condition? are the terminal clean & tide?

IF that's okay, I'm leaning toward a "weak" starter (even new, they can be crap)
 
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