F115 Clicking when starting

[Garpoe05]

I have a 2005 F115 outboard. Had some starting problems, replaced the ignition switch and things were fine for a while. Now when you turn ignition there is a clicking sound at the engine. It will eventually catch and start, but clicks some before hand. I am guessing the solenoid, but wondered if anyone else has suggestions?
Thanks

[99yam40]

could be starter or relay or bad connections on battery or the cables themselves could be bad.
A voltage drop test with a meter will help find the problem.

[Old Chum]

Sounds like the armature of the starter.

[99yam40]

I would pull the battery and have it tested to start out

[Garpoe05]

Thanks

Thanks guys, I will start with battery and go from there.

[Timbuktu]

Battery check

I have seen bad battery connections do that several times. Also when people relocate the bat using longer cables

[tpoltron]

Easy fix for a Yamaha F115 that would click but not crank

Hi There,

I had a similar problem and wanted post the solution for future users cause it took me a while to figure out.

I have a 5 year old Yamaha F115 four-stroke (very similar to the F90 and F150) with low hours (less than 300) and it was having trouble starting. When I turned the key I'd hear a click (the starter relay, so the key switch was good) but it would either not crank or delay a second or two before cranking.

On my engine, I noticed that the little gear (called a bendix) that rises to connect the starter motor to the flywheel was rising very slowly or not at all. The solenoid make's that rise by acting on a piston with an electromagnet. The grease around the piston in the solenoid had dried an gone sticky. A quick clean with some WD40 and new grease and voila – good as new. I hear other common causes of this are corrosion on the battery connections and weak batteries.

Hope this helps someone else.

Regards,
Trent

[robert graham]

Clicking sounds like dirty/corroded connections, remove/inspect/clean each and every one from the battery to the starter. A 3M Scotchbrite pad works great for cleaning, then just a bit of grease to protect from moisture. If all connections are clean and tight(pliars or wrench), then check battery cables for internal corrosion. Good Luck!