Motor Help Settle a Bet

[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.