Sounds like the solenoid. Check that 12V is going to the starter when you
here the click and the starter does not turn over. You can get the starter
rebuilt for a lot less than a new one. Look in the Yellow pages for a
starter - generator shop. They rebuild starters. Other thing if you are
mechanically inclined is to pull the starter, and remove the solenoid and
pull apart the bakelite end and turn over the contact disk inside. Now you
have a new surface for the contact.
Bill

"Scott Shirley" wrote in message
news:JuCUa.154503$Ph3.18704@sccrnsc04...
I went out to start the boat this morning before making the drive to the
lake...it turned over a few times and never fired (normal when it hasn't
been run in a few weeks). When I turned the key again, I hear a single
click
from somewhere near the rear of the boat and the engine would turn over.
Tried again a few more times...nothing. I replaced the battery a few weeks
ago, so I know there is plenty of juice back there. I tried the old trick
of
tapping the starter (this is an inboard/outboard Mercruiser 5.7L). Tried
turning the key again, and voila...it turns over. Waited a few
seconds...and
again...no dice, hear a single click when the key is turned to start. I am
not too crazy about getting stranded in the water, so I called around to
get
some prices on starters. OUCH...$278.00 for a new one seems to be the
standard price at all the marine parts places here in Dallas. One person
that I spoke with at the parts store recommended hooking up a test light
to
the solenoid to see if I was getting juice across the relay before sinking
$278.00 in a part that can't be returned if it didn't fiz the problem. The
crappy part is....I got home this afternoon and can't replicate the
problem.

My thoughts are that when a starter goes bad, the problem might be
intermitent for awhile. I have yet to see a solenoid/relay exhibit this
intermittent type of behavior. Has anyone ever heard of a solenoid/relay
that is going bad do this or do they just go caput and not work at all
once
they go "bad" ? I'd like to get the problem (whatver it may be) corrected
before heading to the water again. Should I just sink the $278.00 into the
starter and be done with it?