Outboard Starter Motor Guide: Mercury, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Evinrude & Tohatsu
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Outboard starter motors are sold by brand and horsepower, but that isn't enough to pick the right one. The same horsepower can use a different starter depending on the year, the stroke (2-stroke or 4-stroke) and the engine family. This guide groups our outboard starters by brand, and shows what to check before you order.
Why horsepower alone isn't enough: Mercury 40–50 HP
A Mercury or Mariner 40–50 HP can use at least four different starters from our range:
| Engine | Starter | Pinion | Mercury ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury / Force 40 & 50 HP, 1992–1995 | Mercury Force 40–50 HP starter | 13 teeth, 38.2 mm | 50-819271, 50-820193A1 |
| Mercury 40 / 45 / 50 HP, 4-cylinder (various years) | Mercury 40–50 HP 10-tooth starter | 10 teeth, 30.8 mm | 50-73521 |
| Mercury / Mariner 40–50 HP 4-stroke, 1995–2000 | Mercury 40–50 HP 4-stroke starter (1995–2000) | 9 teeth, 29.4 mm | 50-834749, 50-859171T, 50-893886T |
| Mercury / Mariner 40–60 HP 4-stroke, 2001 onwards | Mercury 40–60 HP 4-stroke starter (2001 on) | 9 teeth, 29.4 mm | 50-893888T, 50-859377T, 50-884044T, 50-888161T |
The last two look almost identical and share the same pinion, but carry different Mercury part numbers. Always match the number on your old starter, or your engine's serial and model code, against the cross-reference on the listing.
What to check before you order
- Part number: read it from your old starter or your parts manual and find it in the listing's cross-reference table.
- Engine model code and year: "50 HP" is not enough. Use the full model code (for example 50ELPT) and the year or serial range.
- 2-stroke or 4-stroke: the same horsepower often uses a different starter.
- Pinion teeth and rotation: count the teeth and check the rotation (CW or CCW) in the specs.
- Is it really the starter? A clicking relay, a flat battery or a worn drive can look like a failed starter. See our guide: Starter clicks but won't crank?
Mercury / Mariner outboard starters
- Mercury 25–55 HP, early models (10-tooth)
- Mercury Force 40–50 HP, 1992–1995
- Mercury / Mariner 40–50 HP 4-stroke, 1995–2000
- Mercury / Mariner 40–60 HP 4-stroke, 2001 onwards
- Mercury / Mariner 50–90 HP (replaces 5057485)
- Mercury 65–125 HP (50-57485, 50-60315, 50-65436, 50-66015-2)
- Mercury / Mariner 75–125 HP
- Mercury / Mariner 135–225 HP V6 2-stroke (50-79472)
- Mercury Verado 200–350 HP (892339T01, 50-893892T)
- Relays: Mercury starter relay 89-817109A2, Mercury / OMC solenoid 89-76416A1
All Mercury parts: Mercury Marine collection.
Yamaha outboard starters
- Yamaha F9.9, F13.5, F15C, F20, 2006 onwards (6AH-81800-00)
- Yamaha 25–40 HP, 2006 onwards
- Yamaha F40, F50, F60, F100, F115
- Yamaha 200–250 HP 2-stroke (6CB-81800-00-00)
- Relays: Yamaha 40–90 HP relay 688-81950-10-00, Yamaha 115–250 HP relay 6E5-81941-11-00
All Yamaha marine parts: Yamaha Marine collection.
Honda outboard starters
- Honda BF15, BF20, 2003–2014
- Honda BF35, BF40, BF45, BF50 (31200-ZV5-013)
- Honda BF75, BF90, BF115, BF135, BF150 (31200-ZY6-003)
All Honda marine parts: Honda Marine collection.
Suzuki outboard starters
- Suzuki DF15–DF70
- Suzuki 55–65 HP, 1985–1997
- Suzuki 115–140 HP (8-tooth drive)
- Suzuki DF150, DF200, DF250, DF300
All Suzuki marine parts: Suzuki Marine collection.
Johnson / Evinrude / OMC outboard starters
- Johnson / Evinrude 9.9, 10, 15 HP, 1980–1997
- Johnson / Evinrude 20–35 HP, 1980–1995
- Johnson / Evinrude 40, 50, 60 HP (384163, 585063)
- Evinrude E-TEC 40–90 HP (586768, 587045)
- Johnson / OMC 80–140 HP
- Johnson / Evinrude 115–300 HP (391511, 586890, 586411)
- Johnson / Evinrude 150–235 HP (586288, 395207)
- Solenoids: OMC 3-terminal solenoid 985063, OMC relay 240-22013
All Johnson / Evinrude parts: Johnson Evinrude collection.
Tohatsu / Nissan outboard starters
All Tohatsu parts: Tohatsu Nissan Marine collection.
FAQ
My outboard isn't listed. Can you still help?
Yes. Send us the part number from your old starter or a photo of it, plus your engine model code and year, and we'll check the fit.
Should I replace the relay at the same time?
Only if it has failed. Test it first. A relay that never clicks, or clicks without sending power to the starter, is a common cause of no-start on outboards.
Is the starter supplied with the drive (bendix)?
Check the listing's specs and "What is included" section, and compare the pinion tooth count with your old starter. If only the drive has failed, see our starter drives.
Browse all starter motors, solenoids and relays and marine engine parts. More guides: How to choose the right starter motor and power trim & tilt motors.