Motor Help Settle a Bet

[motalot]

My Buddy has a Mercury outboard. The motor died right before we loaded on the trailer. I tried to start it but all I got was a click.

He thinks his charger is bad. I told him we trolled all day his battery should be charged. He claims there isn't a charging system in the motor.

For lunch I say running the motor charges the battery.

Also what do you think the problem is?

Thanks and I will let you know how lunch tasted. Hope it doesn't taste like crow.

[gump]

Could be a loose or dirty connection at the battery or starter.

[RippinLip]

From experience I can tell you that the no starting clicking noise could be your stater. Not a big fix though.

Buck

[drew238]

Even if you have a charging system, I believe you must be running at least a certain RPM (4500?) for it to charge.

[Danny]

Not all motors have a charging system. It would depend on the size of the motor. I know the newer 225's do have a charging system, but I would bet the smaller motors do not, especially something like a small kicker motor... maybe 9.9 to 15 hp.

Danny

[MsgMills]

Yes your lunch will taste great...Hopefully a nice Philly Steak & Cheese combo platter....

The Motor charges the main starting battery while running down the lake, but doesn't do a very good job at all just idling, but does work some.....

The clicking could be from not having started the motor at all for awhile and the battery just weak and not enough juice to start the motor.... Could be a loose connection...

But enjoy your lunch on your buddy.....

[motalot]

Thanks for your help/ I will let you know what it is. What is the charging system. Is it an altenator?

[MsgMills]

Yes I believe they have a small alternater built in to the system.... Enjoy that free lunch.....

[buzzking]

yes it has an altenator its just not the big aux. one you will see upon lifting the hood of your car. Enjoy lunch

[SNIPER_01]

WELL FROM WORKING ON THESE MOTOR'S FOR SOME TIME, YES SOME DO HAVE CHARGING SYSTEMS ON THEM AND SOME DONT. THE OTHER THING I DID NOTICE IS THAT YOU NEVER SAID HOW BIG OR SMALL THE MOTOR WAS. OR HOW OLD THE MOTOR WAS. OR HOW OLD THE BATTERY WAS. BUT, FROM WHAT I HAVE GATHERED, YOU MOST LIKELY HAVE A CONNECTION PROBLEM, EITHER AT THE BATTERY OR IN THE WIRING. MOST MERC'S RARELY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THERE CHARGING SYSTEMS, BUT WHEN THEY DO ITS NOT HARD TO FIGURE OUT.................SNIPER GONE

[markmac60]

Sniper, you seem to be the guy in th know on this so here's the info. It's a 1985 Mercury 25XD. Turn the key over, hear a click and the starter pin does not pop up to engage the flywheel. I thought that meant the starter is probably good but the solenoid is not getting fire to the starter. Replaced the solenoid with a new one, no change. Thanks in advance for any help on this one. Don't forget the input on if it charges the battery or not, really would hate to buy lunch for Motalot. I would rather take a beatin'.

[cincinnati]

You will enjoy that lunch!!

Have the factory service manual for that very motor right in front of me. On electric start models, the "alternator" consists of a 2nd set of coils installed underneath the flywheel. Page 2B-7 is is a starter circuit troubleshooting flow chart, which would be handy for you right now.

If you're serious about doing your own engine work, the factory manual from Mercury - not an aftermarket one-size-fits-many - is money well spent.

Several years ago, my motor was stricken w/a really random ignition misfire problem. 2 dealers "found" different problems but the misfiring persisted.

Pretty disgusted @ this point, I ordered the service manual & parts catalogs direct from Mercury in Fond du Lac, WI. With the manual & an ohmeter, I was able to eliminate 3 of 4 possible causes. (Testing the 4th required a special factory tool.) Using the parts catalog, I mail-ordered the suspect part @ substantial discount. The gamble paid & I've since used the manual & parts catalog to replace the carburetor & the water pump.