You saved me! Our boat hasn't been started since 2017. I tested this with my volt meter, got zero volts, and knew this was the culprit after your video. I threw 2 screwdrivers on each lead crossed and got her to crank. $30 later my boat is running again. Thank you for taking the time to make this video!!!

I appreciate anyone taking the time to help someone out. Good work. Hope it helps me tomorrow with my new slave solenoid....worried I had a bit a of water under my engine and didnt realize till I got home and turned bilge on it drained for like 30 seconds.

I started my boat yesterday and ran it to prep for a day on the bay here in San Diego. A few hours later I tried it again and got nothing. No “click” not anything. I found your video and fixed my boat for $15. 👍 I appreciate and thank you👍👍

Thank you for this video! I get nothing when I turn my key so I thought it was the starter. But this trick works for me! You saved me lots of money and lots of time!

Thanks! Saved me when I was about to winterize and the "click-no-crank" said hello!

Thank you for sharing! I had the same issue and was able to start the boat with the alligator clips and it now starts properly with the new solenoid! Thanks so much!

I LOVE short videos that get to the point. Thanks.

This saved me on the lake today. Thanks for the video.

@B Scott Hi, Scott, thank God for ppl like you willing to share wisdom and experiences! I have a boat, 2010 Tahoe Q5 I with mercruiser 4.3, does not start, no clicks no attempts to crank, nothing (just the deafening pressure oil alarm)...I installed 2 new batteries, all lights, bilge pump, trim,radio comes on but no engine activity at all..I checked all the fuses I could find (25 or so) and all are good.. gear in neutral, killer switch on "run" position, all wiring ok, no connection problems...I am out of ideas, so I need help obviously . Any suggestions greatly appreciated

had this happen on a boat i just bought. glad its such an easy fix

Worked like a charm! Thanks for the hack.

Hi have a mercury 75hp outboard here in UK, I was getting a clicking noise when trying to turn engine over. Now I'm only get a beep and the RPM dial lighting up. Any ideas what it could be? thanks

That looks like the slave solenoid. The master starter solenoid would rest on top of the starter, which on my 4.3 liter GM, hangs below the bilge. However, I have those clips in my boat at all times and they can be used on any bad nodes on a solenoid such as the up/down trim etc.

Ha I like .I have a question my motor is turning over but something got the firing off no fire to plugs last time it did this it was the breaker on top of the motor but now when I push it I still haven't any fire getting to the plugs . can you please help

Also another question for you that red little circuit breaker button I’m assuming should press in freely ? I tried pushing mine in and it would not budge I was afraid to force it did not want to cause any other issues are

Hi mate....great video I've a 4.3 mercruiser in a rinker 250 1989 How do I jump start it.... I've tried your method above on every terminal but all just sparking

I thanks a lot. I have a 496 mag ho same procedure? If the starter is still good how can I replace the solenoid

Good job

Good info....Thank you.

I have a 5.0MPI that is similar. but I cannot get a socket onto the bolt that is under the circuit breaker reset button. how do you access that bolt and get a wrench on it? is it a trick or a special tool?

Hello Scott. Thanks for the video. I was having a similar issue, however the engine attempted to start but wouldn't turnover. Do you think it's the ignition switch and or ignition module? 1999 WellCraft MerCruiser. Thanks

thank you so much bro

So I just put a brand new starter in the boat and it is still just clicking. When I jump those two terminals it just keeps clicking. I also have a brand new battery in the boat as well. Any ideas?

Knew of this bypass but never thought to bring leads. Great idea. Do you carry anything else just incase?

Hi thanks for the video. When I did the test all I got was a click, does this mean the solenoid is bad and I need to replace it?

Does this work on the merc 3.0l alpha one gen two?

I have 2000 Volvo Penta 4.3. All accessories work (except radio), oil guage not working either. I turn tne key and nothing. No clicking or anything. I'm thinking its either a fuse or relay but have no clue where to start narrowing down the issue. I put in new ignition switch but didnt help. Any advise?

odd problem, i have to have a 12v from the batt to one of the leads of that slave solenoid (not the starter lead) -- if i do not have 12v to it,, when you turn the key you will not get the ignition ready beep and no fuel --- if i have that 12v on that lead and start it and it runs,,, if you disconnect it, in about 5 seconds it will start beeping and then shut off ----- somehow that lead is telling the fuel pump to run -- 97 mercruiser 350 magnum gen+ --- changed that slave solenoid and both fuel relays (for some reason it has two even though single engine) --- so far my guess is either that big 50amp breaker button is going bad or the actual computer ignition module is going bad? could have a real short somewhere idk,,, but i know its not wise to operate it much while the 12v wire is connected to that slave solenoid

I just bought a boat the other day and the guy didn’t have to tap on the starter to get it to start so I thought worst-case scenario I will have to buy a starter the boat had not ran in like a year after it fired tried it three other times and it started fine I went to pull it out of the water yesterday did not get it to start just making clicking sound I’m assuming it’s the starter if we had to tap on it to get it to start but I did try your solenoid trick and I only had a piece of wire to try to make the jump connection but it did nothing but spark no clicking sound didn’t sound like anything wanted to fire do you have any input on this it is a MerCruiser 350 motor same set up as yours from what I can see

Hey bscott, question for you. My boat has power running everywhere through the boat according to a multi meter, all fuses replaced, started perfect before winterizing. New battery too. I get no actual dashboard or anything and only trim down works, not up. I tried this method but nothing happens. My button is in run position and key is turned on. What should I do?

Thanks for this. If you have time could you answer a couple quick questions please. Any info on pressing the Red circuit breaker on that solenoid? And sorry for this really novice question but do the wires on the clips need to be run to a power source or do you just connect them to the solenoid?

Hello I am having the same issue, How did you hook up the leads to test the solenoid? Or are doing the same thing like on an old school car with a screwdriver, touching both sides to force start the gear?

Hello Scott, I have the same problem with my boat. What is the wire that you used to test your solenoid to start your boat engine call or do you have any pic? I want to go buy one from tools harbor but I don't know what it call. I am new to boat and doesn't know much. What do you do to connect the wire to test your solenoid?Thanks.

all mines does is spark when I try that so I'm assuming it's the starter?

Your setup is a bit different than mine. I have a Mercruiser 4.3L MPI Inboard Alpha engine on my Tahoe Q4 FNS. I know that the starter and the solenoid that rest on top of the starter is located at the bottom end of the engine. I've heard some conflicting comments suggesting that what I'm being lead to believe is the starter slave solenoid is in fact not the starter slave solenoid. I took a picture earlier of my starter with the solenoid above it. I was not able to determine that any extra wiring was landed on the solenoid at the bottom of the engine. The only wiring that I know about as of now is the bigger main red wire that comes from my cranking battery and the negative wiring that leads from the solenoid directly to the starter. When I flip my switch from off to on, I do hear the clicking from the solenoid that lies on top of my mercruiser engine.

Thanks. Very helpful info you are putting out there. When I turn the key The engine won’t turn around, but I do hear a whining noise. Any ideas?

What do you hook the alligator leads too? Straight to the battery?

I have a 4.3 Merc on a 2005 bayliner. I seem to be having an issue when starting it after it sits for a while I just get a clicking sound. I'll try to turn it over 4or 5 times then it will start. Not sure if it's a starter issue. Is there anyone that can offer a solution please and thank. I am a first time boat owner and flying by the seat of my pants with all of this.

I went out today on the boat and it fired up first try, we left the marina and drove to a beach nearby and jumped in for a quick swim and when we hopped back on I went to turn over the engine and it just clicked several times. Got a tow back to marina, replaced my solenoid with a spare and its still clicking when turning the key. Any ideas? ( It also has a brand new battery installed by the dealer when summerized )

my boat is 1999 bayliner 3.0 the mechanic when to see my boat end took my Distributor end never cam back. please y need e picture.of the Distributor to go end purchase. they want to see the old one. help me I need only the picture.

Mine just Sparks a little when I do as shown. Bad solenoid on starter?

What if I do this and nothing happens? I see a small spark but that’s it. Doesn’t crank or click

My boat is having the same problem it just clicks but when I try to jump it like that I just get Sparks

I cross the posts with a screw driver and it starts but not with the key. I replaced the solenoid and it still does the same thing i can only start it with a screwdriver... new ignition, new battery... any suggestions ?

When I bypassed the solenoid, the engine did not turn over unfortunately but it did make like a high pitched weeeeeeee sound. Any ideas? Bad starter?

With the solenoid bad would that cause the positive and negative cables to get hot?

That’s not the starter solenoid though. That’s the starter relay switch. I tried that earlier today, and it did not engage the starter motor. Could my starter relay switch be bad?

I'm having a no click no crank but engine runs when I jump the solenoid

Thanks for your video! It helped me over the weekend when all I heard was clicks on my boat! Quick question though. How do you replace the solenoid?

Is that a relay you carry extra or ?

Any chance you know the part # pretty positive mine is shot. Also do I need to go to a marine store or can I go to an auto store and pick one up

changed solenoid still clicks?

The "clicking noise" you refer to, is it one click, or a continual clicking?The reason I ask is all our electronics work, but the engine doesn't respond at all. Nothing. Maybe there is 1 click and I just don't hear it. But it isn't a click-click-click sound like when you battery is too weak to get it to turn over.

What if its cranking but wont turn over

I have an intermittent problem when I turn the key to crank it over nothing happens - no click no nothing. After two or 3 time is finally cranks and starts. Any suggestions?

Thats a trim solenoid not a starter solenoid. But yes affectes starter operations

Screwdriver works the same

This is a starter relay, Not a solenoid. The solenoid is on the starter

then,a screwdriver will do; no need to carry a spare of everything;