Post by: Rob on June 11, 2013, 10:55:04 AM
-Battery is fully charged (tried two different ones)
-Cable is nice and clean, and well terminated on both ends
When I try to crank it, the motor makes a click. Additionally the power trim won’t raise or lower the motor. Just a little bit of electrical whining when I try to move it.
I am NOT mechanically inclined. I plan to take it to a shop to have it looked at, but I fugure it is probably something simple that burned out in the motor.
My question to the fine folks of Hunt-Wa are:
1. Any ideas to the cause? (again, assume a good battery and cable connections are fine)
2. Any reputable mechanics suggestions in the Lynnwood/Everett area that work on Mercury motors? It is a 60 HP.
Post by: 92xj on June 11, 2013, 10:58:53 AM
The two must not have a complete charge to them.
Hook it up to your running vehicle with jumper cables.
The click sound and no electric trimming screams no power.
If you complete/full power to everything including the power trim I would then tap the starter with a hammer and then try the key. But start with jumper cables from a running vehicle to the battery.
Post by: lostbackpacker on June 11, 2013, 11:02:58 AM
Post by: Bookworm007 on June 11, 2013, 11:04:29 AM
Post by: gaddy on June 11, 2013, 11:06:49 AM
Post by: Rob on June 11, 2013, 01:32:35 PM
I do have two relatively new, well cared for batteries that I fully charged and tested without any luck. It is possible I have two bad batteries, but they are both under 2 years old, stored inside, and well cared for. Trying it with the truck battery is not a bad idea…
I removed and stripped open the battery cable on the battery end of the starter cable and checked the wiring. Bright silver wires, no corrosion at all. Ire- terminated the cable and cleaned up the posts (although they were pretty clean to start with). I removed the housing and checked where the cable terminates to the engine and it also was tight, clean, with no corrosion.
What I am thinking is, something between where the battery terminates to the engine, and where the power is distributed, there must be some kind of power unit that has failed.
Is this what the solenoid does?
(this is a 2 stroke 60 HP Merc, that I am guessing is a mid 1990’s model.)
Post by: 92xj on June 11, 2013, 01:40:55 PM
Try jumper cables. That will either eliminate the bad batteries or tell you it's an easy fix by replacing the batteries.
Also, did you follow the power wire/cables from the batteries to where they go, checking for cuts, cracks, etc....
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on June 11, 2013, 01:46:22 PM
Post by: magnanimous_j on June 11, 2013, 01:59:01 PM
What I am thinking is, something between where the battery terminates to the engine, and where the power is distributed, there must be some kind of power unit that has failed.
If you are getting weak electrical performance from other systems like your motor lift, the culprit is most likely the battery. I just had the exact same problem with my motorcycle a few weeks ago after sitting unused in the garage for months. Batteries don't like to sit.
Try these guys. best prices, and free shipping from Oregon. I got mine in a couple days. Couldn't be happier with the experience.
http://www.batterystuff.com/ (http://www.batterystuff.com/)
Post by: Rob on June 11, 2013, 02:52:39 PM
What would be the next thing that folks would look at?
I'll research the battery and cable situation a bit more, but wondering what other ideas might be next to check.
Post by: Rob on June 11, 2013, 02:54:59 PM
Post by: Russ McDonald on June 11, 2013, 03:01:04 PM
Post by: 92xj on June 11, 2013, 03:04:42 PM
hypothetically, if the batteries were 100%, and the cables were totally fine,
What would be the next thing that folks would look at?
I'll research the battery and cable situation a bit more, but wondering what other ideas might be next to check.
Hypothetically the only other thing that would make sense would be a cut power wire to your trim button and to your starter (but not even starter since that is most likely making the "click" noise). Those two things, completely different things that run off of power, going out at the same time is one in a million I would think. Unless, your motor is locked up and the trim tube is seized up with rust and junk, but those happening at the same time, one in a million as well, I would think...
Trace wires, looking for breaks, corrosion, and all your grounds. Thats where I would start is my batteries were 100% good.
Post by: gaddy on June 11, 2013, 03:05:23 PM
Post by: Buckmark on June 11, 2013, 03:08:09 PM
Got a volt meter? They are not expensive and would be a huge help..
Post by: Rob on June 11, 2013, 05:46:28 PM
I must have been stuck in a different line when they handed out the mechanical ingenuity genes!
Post by: 92xj on June 12, 2013, 07:41:23 AM
What worked/didnt work?
Post by: Rob on June 12, 2013, 07:55:31 AM
I did however have a "duh" moment while mulling this over.
I focused in on the positive contact, but I never checked where the negative contact terminated to the engine, nor did I check the cable to see if it had corrosion inside the wire casing.
That will be my first order of business when I look at it today/tonight.
Post by: 92xj on June 12, 2013, 08:05:17 AM
Keep us posted.
I'm sure we can talk you through this and help and any way we can. It's nice doing things yourself and also saving labor cost of $90+ an hour taking it to the shop.
Grounds are problematic for me when dealing with electricals near water. I have to redo the grounds on my boat trailer often because of the water and corrosion. Its the devil!
Post by: Rob on June 12, 2013, 08:10:39 AM
Post by: littlemac on June 12, 2013, 08:13:56 AM
The least expensive first step you have is to jump it. Make sure to hook it up properly as a common mistake is reverse polarity and it blows the fuse.
The click at the starter and lack of power to trim are the "classic" telltale of insufficient power. I get it virtually every spring and curse my multiple battery start water toys.
Keep it simple, Jump It!
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on June 12, 2013, 08:15:03 AM
Post by: kisfish on June 16, 2013, 09:52:18 AM
Post by: Rob on June 17, 2013, 09:14:00 PM
I can't tell a solinoid from a spark plug so it looks as though it is time to get it to a mechanic.
Post by: 92xj on June 18, 2013, 10:03:11 AM
This has me very curious of the outcome of this. I wish I was closer to help you.
Keep posting your findings and the things you try with detail. This thread will help a lot of people in the future searching the forums for boat problems.
Post by: PolarBear on June 18, 2013, 10:14:09 AM
Post by: Max the dog on June 18, 2013, 10:34:20 AM
Post by: Machias on June 18, 2013, 11:38:26 AM
Post by: xxlx7 on June 18, 2013, 11:44:31 AM