Starter Solenoid?

MNbowrider72

New Member
Apr 7, 2019
27
Boat Info
1994 180 BR Signature
Engines
5.0 Mercruiser w/Alpha One Drive
Joined the Club last year and appreciated the help with the blown spark plug. 5.0 Mercruiser on 180BR New set of plugs and a water separator and she was screaming the first times on the lake this year. Next came the trim solenoid and ran through two tanks with no issues.

Now I'm having starter issues and rowed to shore after fireworks on the 4th. I believe my alternator and batteries are fine. The starter is spinning fast, but would only engage on occasion with a lucky bump of the ignition. Now, it just spins. Gages showed 12v+ when running. Even swapped batteries. No luck. My boat has permanent motor compartment dividers, so getting to the starter will require me standing on my head. Am I looking at a starter solenoid issue? Missing teeth? Thought I'd start here before diving in. Thanks for any tips!
 
Had a similar issue earlier this year - starter would spin but bendix would not engage (different engine and drives)...go to Mercruiserparts.com and enter your engine serial number to find the right part(s)...then you can shop around for an acceptable price.
 
Had a similar issue earlier this year - starter would spin but bendix would not engage (different engine and drives)...go to Mercruiserparts.com and enter your engine serial number to find the right part(s)...then you can shop around for an acceptable price.
Sure sounds like the issue... fun times it will be getting to it. I think the back bench will have to come out -argh.
 
About to pull her out of winter storage. Had a new starter installed last season and it ran great for awhile before the starter started giving me issues again with the bendix not fully engaging with the motor. I'd have to bump the key several times to get it to catch. Any ideas??
 
Do you hear any grinding or just the starter motor spinning?
Just the starter until it catches. Sometimes it works as designed. My fear is that there are some missing teeth on the ring gear and when to motor happens to stop in the position with the missing teeth, that's when I have the problem. Just my theory, but it would probably mean pulling the motor to get to it!
 
Could be a bad replacement starter as well. I would pull the starter and bench test it to ensure the solenoid is kicking the gear forward every time, that will also allow you to check the teeth. While it's out your soon to be ex friend can squeeze in there with a flashlight and check the flywheel teeth as you turn it over by hand.

I feel your pain with pulling the starter, did it recently, it sucks!
 
Could be a bad replacement starter as well. I would pull the starter and bench test it to ensure the solenoid is kicking the gear forward every time, that will also allow you to check the teeth. While it's out your soon to be ex friend can squeeze in there with a flashlight and check the flywheel teeth as you turn it over by hand.

I feel your pain with pulling the starter, did it recently, it sucks!
Sounds like a good approach. I actually had it done the first time... immediately realizing I'm too fat to stand on my head for any length of time.
 
After I suffered through it I learned my local shop's standard method is to remove the exhaust manifold on that side to make room, that would have made it easier.
I changed my v belts last weekend, that was frustrating too, very little room and on mine (5.7) I had to remove a pully in order to remove the 3rd belt because the pulleys are too close to slide a belt by. They sure don't make these easy to work on!
 
After I suffered through it I learned my local shop's standard method is to remove the exhaust manifold on that side to make room, that would have made it easier.
I changed my v belts last weekend, that was frustrating too, very little room and on mine (5.7) I had to remove a pully in order to remove the 3rd belt because the pulleys are too close to slide a belt by. They sure don't make these easy to work on!
No, they sure don't. Those methods make a lot of sense (and work). Those are reasons against an inboard, but sitting on that wide-open swim deck with my lady, a cold one, and feet in the water make it worth it.
 

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