39 Mercury starting issues resolved

[rockfla]

I went out to the shop this morning and started in on the starter button, grounded it as some here suggested nothing. SO…I decided to go back to ground zero. I put the old solinoid back on bit this time I looked at every component involved. I took the two #14 x 5/8 taping screws and bead blasted them and coated them with di-electric grease before I installed them. I wire brushed and sanded the mounting flange of the solinoid to shiny metal and wiped them with di-electric grease. I wire brushed all the post and bead blasted the nuts and washers and coated them with di-electric grease. I cleaned all the eyelets and cable ends to shiny metal and coated all of them with di-electric grease. I had the battery, once topped off with distilled water, on the trickle charger sonI disconnected that, cleaned the battery post and battery terminals and coated them with di-electric grease. I went in and hit the starter button and WaaaLaaaah!!! Success. i am thinking it was “chincky” grounds as well as a low water in my battery cells causing a low charge on top of some slightly corroded battery post and cable ends As I cleaned them!!! Thanks for all of you guys help!!!

[flatford8]

I’ll bet the sum of all the little things was your problem……..Mark

[hueyhoolihan]

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[hueyhoolihan]

Originally Posted by flatford8

I’ll bet the sum of all the little things was your problem……..Mark

agreed!

the main drawback, IMO, of a 6v electrical system is that it is subject to failure when not adequately maintained over about eighty years or so! ha

especially so as regards corrosion. those electrons just don't have the "punch" that they do when excited to 12v. 24v and more is even better.

[ford38v8]

A similar but different issue once... I was on an extended road trip, and while driving at night, my headlights went dim, then went out, and I stalled. The starter couldn't even turn over the engine. The battery checked as low charge, but during my checking of connections, I was able to start it right up with bright headlights. The problem turned out to be the braided ground strap at the battery. I could literally wiggle the strap and make or break the connection. It looked good, but had developed internal resistance from battery acid, to the point of the failure I had that night while headlights were on. i improvised the strap and continued my road trip.

[glennpm]

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Excellent!