Merc 25hp 2 stroke electric start issues

[TazMan1]

Hello All,

Ok I have a 25 merc with electric and pull start. Pull start works fine. Motor starts with the key on and shuts off when you turn it on. When I go to use the electric start it sounds like the solenoid just clicks and the starter doesn't engage. I've changed the solenoid and even took the old one and put it on a buddy's motor and it worked fine. I've taken the starter off and when I give it power it will engage so that doesn't seem bad. I've checked the fuse and that appears to be good. I feel like I am missing something stupid here. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[flyingscott]

Do you have 12 volts at the small terminal on the solenoid with the key in the start position?

 

[TazMan1]

Do you have 12 volts at the small terminal on the solenoid with the key in the start position?

 

[TazMan1]

Do you mean the smaller ones? I have power on the right side but the side where the starter connects to I never get power turning the key.

 

[flyingscott]

Yes the smaller ones with the black and yellow/red wire. But that whole thing needs to be cleaned up.

 

[roscoe]

But that whole thing needs to be cleaned up.

Thats an understatement.
Every wire end ring, stud, nut, etc., cleaned to nice and shiny.

Might want to check on those taped splices too.

 

[TazMan1]

Ok got everything cleaned up. when turning the key we have 12v to the small bottom stud, the top is the ground, and still get the clicking in the solenoid.

 

[racerone]

Have the battery load tested.

 

[TazMan1]

Have the battery load tested.

Yeah we have tried multiple batteries that we know are good.

 

[flyingscott]

With the key in the start position do you have 12 Volts on both small terminals? All wires and terminals are shiny clean? Including the ground?

 

[merc850]

Most connection problems involve corrosion on the Neg. terminal, clean the terminal and where it grounds to the block; which should also be a clean ground -.
The connections to the battery are clean too?

 

[TazMan1]

When you turn the key you get 12v to the small bottom terminal, not on the top, should there be 12 to both?

 

[flyingscott]

is this a tiller or remote model?

 

[TazMan1]

is this a tiller or remote model?

It's a remote

 

[flyingscott]

clean every wire to shiny and check the neutral safety switch in the controller.

 

[TazMan1]

If the neutral switch is bad would it still allow it to pull start?

 

[flyingscott]

I believe the neutral safety switch only locks out the electric starter.

 

[TazMan1]

For the safety switch is that inside the throttle control?

 

[flyingscott]

For the safety switch is that inside the throttle control?

Yes I believe it is.

 

[TazMan1]

So put a new solenoid in last night, it worked when we tried it. Put everything back together and we're back to just clicking. At this point I think I'm just going to keep using the pull start. Thanks for all the tips and suggestions.