Mercury 115 Starter Problems

[newtron]

I have a 1996 115hp 2 stroke offshore that is having trouble starting. I replaced both batteries as well as the battery cable from the Perko switch to the starter as it was very frayed. It starts better but is still very difficult to turn over. I plan on using the pull starter this weekend to determine if it is internal or maybe the starter. The gear pops up an engages the starter wheel with no problem.

I welcome any advise or a place to trouble shoot.

Thanks,


Newtron

[boats.net]

Could be a ground or the starter. Mercury is notorious for burning starters with those symptoms.

[newtron]

Is there an easy way to test the starter?