starting problem

[grooveman]

My 1966 merc 650 has a problem that I cant figure out. Right after I launch it, when I turn the key it just makes a clicking noise, after a few more trys it will eventually turn over and starts right up. Im getting to where Im afraid to turn it off when Im out on the water for fear I wont get it started. The battery is new and I have recently replaced the terminal end conectors. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: starting problem

It sounds like a dead spot on your starter. You can probably replace the brushes and clean up the armature.<br /><br />TMD

 

[greasemonkeyozi]

Re: starting problem

Hey doc, dont these things have a starter sylinoid mounted on the motor somewhere? On cars and trucks, thats the sighn of a bad sylinoid.

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: starting problem

Check battery terminals.. Very clean and very tight ?? They must make good connection

 

[johnrob]

Re: starting problem

I had almost exactly the same problem on the same model motor a couple of days ago. It started OK on the drive but wouldn't start at the lake. Again it would click when turning to start but no starter activity. The starter solenoid was engaging OK (the click) but the choke soleniod wasn't.<br /><br />After some messing about I discovered the problem was caused by a poor earth connection between the earth coil bracket (where the incoming earth cable is connected) and the main tray. On my motor there is a large black earth strap connected between the top of the starter motor and the top of the front frame (where the switchbox is). On looking at this I thought it wasn't a very good design to rely on several corrodable alloy to steel bolt joints to provide a reliable high current return path for the starter motor so I changed the starter motor strap to connect directly to the incoming cable earth bolt point. Just to make sure I wasn't upsetting the ignition system by doing this I also added a new small cable between the incoming earth point and the front frame (to provide a good earth return for the ignition system).<br /><br />It may be worth your while moving the starter motor earth cable to see if it makes any difference.

 

[bob58]

Re: starting problem

Recently had the same problem on a 650 merc.<br />Due to the age the positive and negative cables in the harness to the motor were corroded to the point it wouldn't get enough juice to start.<br />I stripped the harness and spliced in new #4 cables and all works well know