Early 1970s Mercury 500 50HP Starter problems

[fjobe]

So last year when I winterized the ol boat she ran perfect......Go to pull it out today and the starter doesn't spin or engage the flywheel. It's a 1972 (I think) Merc 500 thunderbolt 50hp. When I turn the key it will click and make a humming noise. The boat is in neutral also..... I'm out of ideas here.....

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard, fj. It could be a couple of things, battery connections might need cleaned and also at the motor end, too. The other thing, how's the battery - Fully charged up? Those would be the things to check.

 

[fjobe]

The battery is fully charged. The connections all look good it was what I had origanlly tought the problem was.

 

[GA_Boater]

Did you look at the connections or clean then until shiny? And at the starter and solenoid. Don't forget the ground!

 

[fjobe]

Ya know I don't think I looked at the ground wire.....Sit there racking my brain for who knows how long and think I skipped that easy step lol. That's the first thing I'll check in the morning and hopefully that's it......thank you for the replies

 

[444]

If it makes a humming noise when holding the key, the starter is spinning, but not engaging the flywheel. I had this happen. To solve it I removed the little gear on the top of the starter, cleaned it, oiled it and it was fine . I guess it was sticking just a little too much for the rotation of the starter to push the gear up onto the flywheel.