I have a 91 mercury out board (115) and I think that my starter may be going out. does anyone know how to tell if it is or not I have all ready taken out my battery and to it and had it tested and it worked was good. please help cause the the 07 saeson for me is just around the corner. Thanks in advance

DC
"I Got Five"

Does it move the fly wheel at all when you look at it?
Does it make any grinding sounds? Does it smoke or smell?

Kingfish, sometimes when I try to start it it just clicks or even hawl like its not turnning the flywheel.

Is the flywheel seized up? If it is, then you got other issues besides the stater.

If you can move the flywheel with no problem then it more than likely is your starter. Not that big of a deal, just have to buy a new starter and get her put on.

You can take the starter and have it looked at to make sure it isn't it. If it isn't it, you can go from there. More than likely , if it sounds like that, you will need to buy a new one or have that one rebuilt. The price of copper is up, so starters are not cheap to have rebuilt anymore. Might be better off buying a new one, or look on eBay perhaps.

Hey Kingfish after a few tries the sun of a gun will start so the fly wheel isnt seized up because like I said it will start so just may be the starter. Thanks for the info.o Yah did you ever find a partner for the joe pool tourny?

DC
"I Got Five"

Start with a known good fully charged battery (if it passed a load test, I'd assume it's good).

Measure the voltage at the starter terminal while the key is turned to start. If you have 12V at the starter but it won't spin the flywheel, then the starter's bad. If you want to fix it yourself, get a manual and a brush set.

If it's less than 12V (give or take half a volt) at the starter, then you're problem is in the battery, solenoid, or battery cables.

Disconnect, clean and sand the terminals on the cables from battery to solenoid and solenoid to starter. Also the cable from battery negative to engine block. Make sure the cables are all in good condition, no corrosion or missing or brittle insulation. Tight connections - if your battery has wingnuts, use pliers to tighten 'em.

Measure voltage at the solenoid input terminal (cable leading to battery) with the starter engaged. If you have good voltage there but low volts at the starter, replace the solenoid.

If you have low volts at the solenoid, then something must be wrong with the battery.

Hey DC , I found someone to fish the first one with. I am not sure if he is going to fish with someone else for the remainder or not. He said he would let me know. I would like to fish the remainder of them. Was pretty fun.

Good info there jtexas. Good troubleshooting. Sounds like you have motor issues a time or two. HA!

One more thing to try is if the Starter Motor is turning (fast) but the starting gear is not moving up the shaft to engage the flywheel (you did say after several attempts it started) spray the shaft (sparingly) with a quality lubricant and make sure the starter gear moves up and down the shaft freely. Do not allow any lube to run down into the starter motor. That can cause other problems.

Good suggestion from toontroller...light oil is recommended I use couple drops 3 in 1

yeah, kf82, I always have had more time than money to spend on boats, currently running a '79 rude...if it breaks I have to either fix it or fish from the bank.

thanks guys for the info is there any special oil that you will recommend?

DC
"I Got Five"