merc 850 1976

[dchris]

The starter on my merc 850 is turning but does not engage the fly wheel. I think I am missing a rubber piece that rubs on the pinion gear. The gear engages when it spins counter clockwise while the shaft spins clockwise. Do these starters need a bumper to rub against the pinion gear then the starter begins to rotate? The starter seems to rotate at an acceptable rpm, but the pinion gear does not travel up the shaft to engage the flywheel.

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: merc 850 1976

Try using a better battery.

Like a jump from your car battery right to the starter lug.

Do not use a deep cycle battery.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: merc 850 1976

90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one.

also have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, free, i've had new batteries go bad

 

[Chris1956]

Re: merc 850 1976

There is no rubber piece on the starter. The pinon gear rides up the shaft due to inertia, as the motor spins. Spin the gear with your fingers to assure it is loose on the shaft. A bit of oil on the shaft heps.

If you have disassembled the starter, the magnet could have been installed upside down, causing the starter to spin the wrong way.