Hey Robert,
I came out to Port Oconnor this week. Launched the boat and guess
what, click, click, click, vroom. Its my new to me 99 merc 90hp.


Right away I knew so I put a jumper cable in the boat and left. I did
need to use it so I lifted the cover and jumped over the soleniod and
it started immediately. Odd thing is that when you turn the key you
can see the starter start to move but not much.

I made it thru the week ok but it will be interesting to see how the
soleniod looks when I take it appart.


wrote:
Keep going. Worst case you will just damage something else but you
will have learned a lot and saved yourself from watching TV.

Good luck

Don

Thanks Don and the Rec.Boat crew (all who contributed), I'm am up and
running with out problems now. Yes it was the starter motor solenoid
that failed. I replaced it and on the first test - (the 1979 100hp
Johnson) she was cranking over as if brand new. No more click,
click,click,click...etc to get the mammer jammer cranking.

Regarding solenoid repair you definitely need the right tools and
know-how. All I had was a dremmel tool and power drill and I could not
drill out the rivets adequately and busted the corners off in my
adventures. Make sure you're working on the starter motor solenoid too
(not the power trim solenoid located under the transom in the
electrical box).

Took the boat of fishin Saturday on Whitmore Lake and caught about 30
little nippers (small blue gill) using wax worms and a bobber. Trolled
the deep spot in the lake (40' max) with a silver flat fish and a
silver spoon - no tiger muskie, walley, or pike luck (yet)! I'm gonna
try a night crawler harness and trolling the drop offs to the deep next
for the big ones. I do have a fish finder too - anyone know how to
catch the big ones in a freshwater (semi med-large) Michigan lake - as
in bait and the approach? Should I find a reef?

This case is closed. Much appreciated on all the help!