Starter Problem 25 Merc

[gunflint]

I think I have a bad selinoid (sp) Nothing happens when I turn the key but a clicking from the starter. When crossing the bolts (on the selinoid) with a screwdriver I get plenty of spark but the starter doesn't turn. The wire to the starter is comming from the negitive side of the selinoid and that may be wrong. (someone else took this apart last fall) When I change the wire to the starter to the possitive side of the selinoid the starter turns weakly when the battery cables are touched to the battery.

The battery has tested good with a tester. This is a 2002 Mercury 25 hp 2-stroke. (please don't say get a 4-stroke as we have 8 of them) does this sound like selinoid to anyone else or is there something else I should be checking? Thanks.

[deepportage01]

Yes, it dose sound like a selinoid but why is you starter turning weak? If you hooked the starter up direct that thing should spun like crazy.by the way get another four stroke

[RobertELee]

I have the same problem on my early 80's 25 merc. I took it apart and the bushing that holds the spindle centered on the starter was worn out on one side and the magnet was pulling it to the side and was shorting it out. Just another thing to look for.

[ScoutII]

Sometimes what I found is you need to take apart the starter. Clean the brush dust off the armeture and reassamble. This process was nessasary every other year on a friends Mariner.

[Swimmer]

Gunflint:

I have an '89 25 hp Merc that I thought had starter problems. I hooked it to the battery in the Spring and for some reason the starter gear wouldn't engage the flywheel. I took the starter in to get it checked. The Hanay's guy said it seemed a little weak. So I dished out a bill for a new one. Hooked up the new starter, hit the key, and same darn thing...just spinning in the wind. Then it hit me. I had the positive and negative wires reversed on the battery...what an one-who-thinks-I-am-silly . Glad the neighbor wasn't "helping" me at that time. So switched the wires around, hooked up the old starter and presto. The moral of my story is, use your head before your wallet.

So, I have this brand new starter (that Hanay's wouldn't take back since I had hooked it up). Let me know if you narrow it down to the starter and the '89 fits your year... I will cut you a screamin deal.

[gunflint]

You might have a deal. I've got some tree clearing to do for the next few days then I plan to tear into it. If I determine that it is the starter I'll happily buy that one from you if it'll work. Thanks.

[Swimmer]

Gunflint, $25 bucks and you pay the shipping (shipping maybe ~ $7). Refundable (minus shipping) if not the correct "size". Isn't FM great? Let me know. PS, the starter has 3 seconds of working time on it.

[gunflint]

Swimmer,

I fixed it. It was a wiring problem. Thanks for the offer. That's what FM is all about.

gunflint