Starter Clicks - Merc 3.0

[omario]

Hi,<br />I have a 1992 Sea Ray with a 4cyl 3.0 Mercruiser Engine. It seems that often when I try to start the engine won't crank instead I hear just a single *click*. Is this the starter or the starter solenoid? I keep hearing people talking about a slave solenoid. How do I know if I have one? I see a solenoid right over the starter.<br /><br />Please advise what the *click* might be.<br /><br />Thank You

 

[searay89]

Re: Starter Clicks - Merc 3.0

My 89 searay 3.0 developed the same problem. Indeed I would guess that the slave solenoid is the problem (it was in my case). In my case the slave solenoid is located near a 50amp circuit breaker. You will see a red wire (always hot) and a yellow/red wire that goes down to the starter. The yellow/red should be hot when you try to start. If not - the solenoid is likely bad. To troubleshoot, open the engine compartment - clear yourself and clothing of all belts, moving parts, etc. Vent the engine sufficiently. Have someone turn the iginition and you can identify the slave solenoid - it is making a loud click. Test the red wire for +12V, if this is not +12, you have a bad connection to the battery. When the key is in the START position, check the other side (yellow/red) for +12V. If you don't get 12v on the other side, the slave is bad. To confirm - turn the key to the 'on' position - NOT the start position. Carefully jump +12V from the battery to the other side of the slave - KEEPING YOURSELF CLEAR OF BELTS, etc. Use a heavy gauge wire. The engine will turn over, bad slave solenoid.