OT: Boat Outboard Starter Solenoid

RTR · Feb 27, 2017

Hey guys. This is a little different than a tractor, but the issue and part isn't any different from a tractor or car. I have a 1963 Mercury 650 outboard motor on my 1963 Aristocraft Funliner boat.

I haven't started it since last year and it has been sitting out in the weather. Got it washed and cleaned up Saturday, and tried to turn the motor over with the key switch. All it did was make a hissing noise or a spinning noise from the starter solenoid. This solenoid is a "Ford truck type" from the 1970s and 1980s. The only difference is that it has a special bracket to mount to the starter motor.

What could this be? The battery is good and the horn works, so I know that isn't the issue.

RTR · Feb 27, 2017

Pictures of my boat.......

Janicholson · Feb 27, 2017

So use jumper cables to bypass the relay (solenoid) connect the ground jumper to the engine, and touch the non ground to the starter
termoinal shown in the picture on the bottom left of the motor. If the starter crqanks the engine, replace the relay. Don,t
hesitate to use the ford style and make a mount. Jim

da.bees · Feb 27, 2017

Solenoids often do go bad.From your discription of noise,I couldn't tell you for certain
because bad solenoids usually just click. You are correct in say it's a truck part with a
different number. As little as they cost I'd replace it but here's a test. Clamp a booster
cable to the starter post then touch other end of cable to postive battery post. That
should engage and spin the starter.

RTR · Feb 27, 2017

(quoted from post at 20:16:14 02/27/17) So use jumper cables to bypass the relay (solenoid) connect the ground jumper to the engine, and touch the non ground to the starter
termoinal shown in the picture on the bottom left of the motor. If the starter crqanks the engine, replace the relay. Don,t
hesitate to use the ford style and make a mount. Jim

I was about to say Jim.....when I resurrected the boat about 4 years ago. The relay was just clicking and my solution to that was to replace it. Since it had a special bracket to mount it on the starter, I searched for an original style replacement and found a used one from a Mercury guy online. It was spendy....about $50, but has worked so far.

Do you think the relay/solenoid was doing that from me getting it wet while I was pressure washing the boat?? Do you have any idea on why it is acting this way? A fix possibly?

Steve@Advance · Feb 27, 2017

A quick test would be to connect a volt meter or test light to the battery side of the solenoid, ground the other lead.

Try the starter, if the light dims to nearly nothing, or the voltage drops below about 10 volts, there is a battery or connection problem.

If the light stays bright, or the voltage high, move the test lead to the starter side of the solenoid.

If the light or meter drop, the problem is the solenoid.

If the voltage stays high, it's the starter, starter cable, loose connection at the starter. Feel for hot connections.

As for replacing the solenoid, some special solenoids don't ground through the bracket. The coil connection is the 2 small terminals. If it is wired that way, an automotive solenoid won't work safely. Using an automotive solenoid could cause the neutral start safety switch to be bypassed. Check the configuration of the old one with an ohm meter. If there is continuity across the small terminals, it is a special. Those can be bought, just not as common as automotive.

Janicholson · Feb 27, 2017

If you pressure washed the starter and relay, it might, but not likely. Millions of those have been living in weather for 60 plus
years and not failed from water. They are pretty much sealed. Jim

Steve A W · Feb 27, 2017

Better check on the correct solenoid, I don't know Merc's but if you
use the wrong solenoid on OMC outboards you can put 12volts to the
coils and and burn them up.
Go to the Antique Outboard Motor Collectors club web site and ask
on the "Ask A Member" forum and someone can tell you about it.
Nice looking boat and motor.

Steve A W
AOMCI

RTR · Feb 27, 2017

(quoted from post at 22:56:32 02/27/17) Better check on the correct solenoid, I don't know Merc's but if you
use the wrong solenoid on OMC outboards you can put 12volts to the
coils and and burn them up.
Go to the Antique Outboard Motor Collectors club web site and ask
on the "Ask A Member" forum and someone can tell you about it.
Nice looking boat and motor.

Steve A W
AOMCI

Thanks for the info and compliment Steve. Sadly, I think I am going to sell it once I get her started up and ready for the water. I am getting married and I just can't justify keeping it right now.

Russ from MN · Feb 27, 2017

Our Evinrude did that once and it was just the starter drive stuck on the shaft, sprayed some WD-40 on it and got it loose and
it was fine for years.

retired farmer · Feb 27, 2017

I would keep the boat and forget marriage, it will be cheaper in the long run.

RTR · Feb 27, 2017

(quoted from post at 00:23:19 02/28/17) I would keep the boat and forget marriage, it will be cheaper in the long run.

Hahahaha! I know that's probably right and while I can actually kind of see that now; I sure do want to start a family and go with that too.

It'll be worth it! I just don't have a place to keep it out of the weather and no time to use it. Plus I don't know if she'd be keen to riding on it given its age. You know how women can be. She is used to her parents getting a new boat every 2 years (they live on the Tennessee River); and they have a 28 ft Tri-toon with a 300 Merc on the tail!!

47fivewindow · Feb 27, 2017

Now that boat has STYLE!

RTR · Feb 27, 2017

(quoted from post at 02:25:59 02/28/17) Now that boat has STYLE!

It sure does!! Looks like a 1950s Corvette on the water!

Its a blast to drive too! Drives almost like a Jet Ski

TomH in PA · Feb 27, 2017

AOMCI is a good place to ask the question. Here's another.

That said, the old wisdom about outboards is: "If you want to get across the lake first get a Merc, if you want to get back to the dock get an Evinrude". Good luck getting that thing started.
Boat forum

Texasmark1 · Feb 27, 2017

Get a pair of common pliers and put the handle part across the ⅜" stud terminals bypassing the internal high current contacts of the
solenoid......expect some sparks and touch the nuts, not the threads...will burn a bad place in them.

If your engine spins up properly get a new solenoid. If not forget the solenoid. Have the battery load tested for 11 volts across the terminals
delivering 150 amps. If it fails that get a new one and charge it up before using. If the battery passes the load test, charge it back up. Pull all
your connections apart, both + and - wiring from the battery to the engine and through the solenoid including the starter. Don't forget the case
of the starter to it's gnd wire or if none, the strap that holds it to the engine block.......and shine them all up. Then put them back together and
tighten them properly. If you still have a problem time to chase the starter.

That Aristocraft is one beautiful and beautifully handling boat. I really like the sliding top for versatility. Neighbor had one when I was stationed
on the Gulf Coast.

Texasmark1 · Feb 27, 2017

Iboats.com forums has a special section for that boat and has repair sections for Mercs and Mariners, boating questions and all the nautical good stuff. Really swell, helpful guys on there. Lot of mechanics, dealers, and knowledgeable folks.

RTR · Feb 28, 2017

(quoted from post at 05:59:21 02/28/17) Iboats.com forums has a special section for that boat and has repair sections for Mercs and Mariners, boating questions and all the nautical good stuff. Really swell, helpful guys on there. Lot of mechanics, dealers, and knowledgeable folks.

Thank you all for the help and insight! I will keep you updated.

OT: Boat Outboard Starter Solenoid

RTR

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RTR

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Janicholson

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da.bees

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RTR

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Steve@Advance

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Janicholson

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Steve A W

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RTR

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Russ from MN

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retired farmer

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RTR

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47fivewindow

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RTR

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TomH in PA

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Texasmark1

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Texasmark1

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RTR

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