98’ Mercury Force starting issues

[Dave willett]

HELP!! My motor has intermittent start/ crank.
My motor has never left me stranded until last fishing trip. I pulled into a cove, fished for about an hour and then when I decided to try a new spot, I turned the key, boat turned over strong, but didn’t fire up right away. I tried to turn the key over the second time, but it did absolutely nothing. I tapped on the solenoid and starter to see if that would help and nothing. I took the solenoid and starter out to test them and they seemed fine, so I put everything back and the boat turned over and ran fine until I shut it off and it would not turn over again. I replaced the starter and solenoid with brand new parts and boat started right up, but when I turned it off, it will not turn over again, it simply clicks or does nothing. If I disconnect all power and let it sit overnight, reconnect it, then it will turn over, but if it doesn’t fire first time and I turn the key again it won’t turn over again? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Dave willett]

View attachment 352145
HELP!! My motor has intermittent start/ crank.
My motor has never left me stranded until last fishing trip. I pulled into a cove, fished for about an hour and then when I decided to try a new spot, I turned the key, boat turned over strong, but didn’t fire up right away. I tried to turn the key over the second time, but it did absolutely nothing. I tapped on the solenoid and starter to see if that would help and nothing. I took the solenoid and starter out to test them and they seemed fine, so I put everything back and the boat turned over and ran fine until I shut it off and it would not turn over again. I replaced the starter and solenoid with brand new parts and boat started right up, but when I turned it off, it will not turn over again, it simply clicks or does nothing. If I disconnect all power and let it sit overnight, reconnect it, then it will turn over, but if it doesn’t fire first time and I turn the key again it won’t turn over again? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[The Force power]

Sounds like the ignition-switch is acting up, replace it

 

[pnwboat]

If the solenoid is clicking, but starter is not engaging, that often means that there is not enough current/voltage being supplied to the starter. Check all of your battery connections, including the ground cable that is bolted to the engine block. Don't just do a visual check. Disconnect each connection and clean with a wire brush. Might also get the battery load tested too.

You can eliminate the starter switch by taking a wire and jumping between the hot battery cable lead and the small yellow lead on the starter solenoid. Don't touch the small black lead on the starter solenoid. That's a ground wire so you might blow a fuse.

 

[Nordin]

Sounds like a bad battery.
Do as pnwboat suggest check all power connections and keyswitch.
Maybe you have a bad regulator/rectifier and when the battery have sit for some hours it is able to start the engine but the charging system do not charge the battery while running.
When you then try to start it the battery is empty.

 

[racerone]

Load test the battery.

 

[The Force power]

My motor has intermittent start/ crank.
I turned the key, boat turned over strong, but didn’t fire up right away. I tried to turn the key over the second time, but it did absolutely nothing. I tapped on the solenoid and starter to see if that would help and nothing. I took the solenoid and starter out to test them and they seemed fine, so I put everything back and the boat turned over and ran fine until I shut it off and it would not turn over again. I replaced the starter and solenoid with brand new parts and boat started right up, but when I turned it off, it will not turn over again, it simply clicks or does nothing. If I disconnect all power and let it sit overnight, reconnect it, then it will turn over, but if it doesn’t fire first time and I turn the key again it won’t turn over again?

YES, the battery should be load tested & battery-cable / connectors checked.
But intermittent start and/or crank could be your ignition-switch, sometime spraying a little bit of WD40 in the switch does wonders