Mercruiser 3.0 starter

[southkogs]

Okay - I've got a little issue with the Bilgeliner. (This is literally the first significant thing I've had to fix on this boat!)

I'm pretty positive the starter isn't working properly. I can hear it spinning, but it's not engaging the flywheel. What I don't know how to do properly is test it. I've always taken car starters to the parts stores and had them tested. No one seems to be able to cross reference this to where they're willing to test it. - I'm open to a good "how to" on testing the starter.

I believe I've identified the part number from Mercury as 99417A2. But I'm actually not sure I'm reading Mercury's website correctly. My engine's serial number is 0M337102III. I want to confirm the right starter before I order anything so I don't get that all wrong either.

Any help with making sure I've correctly identified the starter?

 

[alldodge]

Ground case, 12V Bat to post, small wire jump from post to post on right

 

[dubs283]

I'm open to a good "how to" on testing the starter.

HOW TO: Troubleshooting your engines starting system

So you hit the ignition switch so you can go home and either nothing happens, or you hear a click from the engine, but the starter doesn't crank......... Now what ? If you have a test light, you can find out in only a few minutes what the problem is. I like test lights because they are faster...

forums.iboats.com

I believe I've identified the part number from Mercury as 99417A2........ My engine's serial number is 0M337102III......

Any help with making sure I've correctly identified the starter?

Based on provided info the mercury part number for the correct starter is 863007A 1

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Chevy starters come in 2 configurations,....
Straight across bolts,...

And the staggered bolts,....

If yer's is bad, go to DB electrical, 'n buy a marine starter from them, rather than Merc,......

These new tiny starters are lighter, 'n more powerful than the old bulky starters, but they need slightly shorter bolts('bout 1/4"), so either get new bolts, or grind the tips off the old, if yer old starter is of the big heavy bulky type,....

 

[southkogs]

Cool stuff. Thanks guys. I have the staggered bolt pattern. NAPA dude had a starter he cross referenced against it, but neither of us could find any indication it was a marine starter. I thought I knew what a marine starter looked like for spark shielding, but now I'm not so sure I did. Is there a visual way to tell it's a marine starter?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Take it to an alternator/starter repair shop

 

[southkogs]

^^^ Good call. I didn't think about that. I know dis' guy! Used to take the tilt motor from the old Stringer to him. I think I'll give that a whirl.

 

[Fun Times]

Engine's serial number is 0M337102.

Here's your parts.

1998 Stern Drive 3.0L [ALPHA] [4111021N2] - Parts Lookup | Crowley Marine

View parts diagrams and shop online for 4111021N2 : 1998 Stern Drive 3.0L [ALPHA]. Offering discount prices on OEM parts for over 50 years. FAST $4.95 shipping available.

www.crowleymarine.com

MCM 3.0L, LX STARTER MOTOR BOLT BREAKAGE | Service Bulletin | Crowley Marine

09-MAY-1997 - Manufacturer Service Bulletin: MCM 3.0L, LX STARTER MOTOR BOLT BREAKAGE

www.crowleymarine.com

 

[southkogs]

Okay: while we're here ... that's part of what was throwing me.

@Fun Times what you posted calls my engine a '98, and it's a 2003. That's what I kept pulling up though. And the image of the starter in the tech bulletin is REALLY close ... but there's an extra bracket on the back that I don't have.

 

[dubs283]

Bracket in question is for maintaining leverage with starter motor engagement. Most commonly found with starters having straight bolt pattern for mounting.

Guessing referenced info may have now superceded

 

[Fun Times]

Okay: while we're here ... that's part of what was throwing me.

@Fun Times what you posted calls my engine a '98, and it's a 2003. That's what I kept pulling up though. And the image of the starter in the tech bulletin is REALLY close ... but there's an extra bracket on the back that I don't have.

You could add the bracket if desired and if you don't have one already. https://www.crowleymarine.com/mercruiser/oem-parts/stern-drive/1998/4111021n2/starter-motor-mounting

The reason you see 1998 and anything newer then 1998 is because Merc (supposedly) ((< Longer story)) stopped recognizing the years of parts used and only uses the serial number to obtain the right parts...So you'll always see 1998 on stern drives parts guides and 2006 on Mercury outboards even if you bought a new one today and checked the parts guide for it.

 

[dubs283]

Merc....... used and only uses the serial number to obtain the right parts...

With a serial number range and oem vintage pictures on epc

Can be confusing to verify w/o parts in hand

 

[southkogs]

10-4 // that's a huge help. Thanks guys.

Gonna' run the starter up to the shop in Nashville to see about having it rebuilt tomorrow. I'll let you know how things go.

 

[kenny nunez]

Most times when the starter spins but does not engage there is a rust build up on the shaft which stops the gear from moving toward the flywheel. The solenoid lever is compressing the spring that normally pushes the drive to the flywheel. Sometimes just a strip of sand paper with WD 40 or something similar on the shaft.

 

[nola mike]

10-4 // that's a huge help. Thanks guys.

Gonna' run the starter up to the shop in Nashville to see about having it rebuilt tomorrow. I'll let you know how things go.

I for sure wouldn't bother getting the old school heavy version rebuilt. The PMGR starters are soooo much better in every way. New one is around $100.

 

[southkogs]

Turns out the shop I used to use is out of business. But I was recommended to another shop that does the same type of work; and the two guys know each other. I dropped the starter off to them last week. Picked it up today. Solenoid was bad, and the brushes needed a good cleaning. There was something wrong with the shaft, but they thought that for a 20 year old marine starter it was all pretty normal failure. Charged me $80 to put it back in GWO.

I'll get it put back on the boat in the next couple of days and we'll see how it goes! If these guys are as good as the other, I usually liked his rebuilds better than buying new.

 

[southkogs]

Starter is on and doin' what it's supposed to. Thanks for the assist y'all.