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2002 40 hp Mercury starter

srjdsmith

New member
Wouldn’t start- sometimes it’s stubborn if it’s been a while. At first it cranked, but didn’t start- just the starter motor cranking. After a bunch of tries, the starter motor wouldn’t go- just the ‘click’ of the choke, and maybe a solenoid clicking.

We checked fuses and cleaned/dielectric greased as many contacts as we could and put the charger on the battery… and while we were working, I noticed that the gear on the starter motor was still engaged with the flywheel. I tapped on it and it didn’t drop and disengage. My son wrapped the emergency starter rope and pulled while I tapped the gear with a hammer handle and the gear disengaged and dropped down. We tried the key again and nothing.

1) Is my starter motor dead?
2) Are starter motors repairable?
3) Or just replace it?
4) Can I replace it? Or take it to a marina?
5) Could it be the solenoid?
 
Have your battery load tested.------Take starter apart for inspection / cleaning / ohm test with digital meter / possibly new brushes.----No need to rush out and buy a new one without some simple testing.
 
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