Question: My boat wont start makes loud clicking noise please help?

(Posted by: on 2010-08-31 14:21:58)

Have an 82 mercrusier motor and ran fine last week now wont start and makes loud clicking noise

Posted by: Girly Brains on 2010-08-31, 14:27:37

You have a flat battery. Or poor connection at the leads at least. The 'click' is the power getting to the big switch (solenoid) that sends the starting amps to the motor, but there is not enough to do anything beyond this. Charge up or replace your battery. And check the connections are clean. -|--)

Posted by: Future Boeing Pilot on 2010-08-31, 15:12:45

Check your battery. It could be the starter motor not getting enough power

Posted by: Ned on 2010-08-31, 16:11:30

I'm with Girly Brains on this one all the way.

Posted by: 45 auto on 2010-08-31, 16:36:38

First clean all terminals and charge Battery's if still not turning over see if U can hand turn it from the Alt. If turns the solenoid or starter need checking.

Posted by: James F on 2010-09-01, 05:21:48

If your battery and connections check out good, and it is the starter that is clicking and not the starter solenoid, you likely have a bad starter. This is more likely if you took on water recently. The plate that the starter's brushes mount to are known to corrode if they get immersed in water.

Posted by: jtexas on 2010-09-01, 08:37:25

The clicking sound is the solenoid -- it's supposed to make that sound you just don't usually hear it because of the starter motor. Using a known-good fully charged battery, measure the voltage at the solenoid output terminal (the post with a heavy cable leading to the starter motor), with the key turned to "start ". If you get 12V + / - half a volt, replace or repair the starter motor. If you get bad voltage there, clean & tighten all the wiring on the battery and solenoid & try again. If you still get a loud click, but bad voltage at the solenoid output terminal, replace the solenoid.