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74 Merc 90 Starter problem

J

johnapplegate

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"Novice and need help!: was ha

"Novice and need help!: was having starting problems...starting it was VERRY slow, almost wouldnt turn over, then after a while would get faster and finally turn over. Brought battery up and recharged it just to make sure, put it in, started a BIT easier and ran it for awhile. Came up, went down an hour later..just a click when turn the key.

I recently...two weeks ago, had some frayed ends of cable and accessories running to batter that I wrapped and put new ends on. Could this be the problem? Or is starter going bad? Fourth week looming and FIVE teenagers gonna be po'd if I cant get this running. ANY help would really be appreciated. Im ok with repairs, but admit I dont know too much about his. Replaced the fuel pump gaskets last fall, THINK I know how where to FIND starter. Thanks Merc Men!!"
 
"Oh...power tilt and accessori

"Oh...power tilt and accessories run fine when battery is hooked up. Not lagging at all. Battery seems fine.

Ill start with checking the connections to the battery, then use cables from good battery to starter to see if it works. This has just developed as a problem, so Im guessing it may have something to do with redoing the connections but I checked them earlier tonight and they seemed solid. Am I taking the right progression?"
 
"John, Also check the conditio

"John, Also check the condition of the battery cables. I had a situation where the cable rotted out all but two strands, in the part of the battery cable up under the gunwale. It was hard to find. Also check/clean the pins and sockets on the harness quick disconnect plug. The only real way to determine if it is a battery problem, connection problem or starter problem is to do a voltage drop test. While the motor is cranking, measure the voltage at the battery, starter and certain places in between. If there is a different voltage, you have a problem."
 
"Thanks Chris....I pulled the

"Thanks Chris....I pulled the boat out and was ready to jump the starter, but decided to trace battery cables, pushing at all points I could reach. TURNED OVER. Left for about ten minutes. Came back..click. Did the same thing...turned over. So I guess Ive got a connection problem somewhere or a frayed cable cord. Im going to trace it and check all points and see what happens. I DID tap on the starter with a hammer prior to it turning over the first time, but not the second. Thanks for the info...hope to work through this."
 
"Still isnt right. The harness

"Still isnt right. The harness was exposed in some places...engine will turn, but very slowly, not fast enough or strong. Also, at the battery..the neg. terminal sparks and gets hot really fast..too hot to touch. Is the neg line shorting out? Can I cut the neg cable and splice into it further up where it is okay and install a terminal attachment there? I havent checked the voltage yet...dont have a meter but will tomorrow afternoon. Also, to jump the starter directly from the battery, what terminals do I attach too? I tried and the engine turned, barely, as soon as the pos hit the terminal I thought was the one to use. Thanks...OBVIOUSLY Im mechanically challenged on these things, but im trying and your help is appreciated."
 
"John, Heat mens you have resi

"John, Heat mens you have resistance. In your case I do not think you have a short, or you would likely have a fire. Probably your negative battery cable, or the ring terminal where it connects to the battery cable makes a bad connection, causing the heat. If you want to isolate the negative battery cable, connect a jumper cable to the battery negative post, and to an unpainted part of the block or the starter ground. If it spins better, you know you have an issue with the battery cable or quick disconnect plug. Engine wiring harnesses are available for that motor. The best price I saw was a www.surplusunlimited.com."
 
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