1999 Johnson 50hp 2-str - Bendix is stuck

[jgregory01]

I just replaced my flywheel after a magnet broke. My mechanic said it ran great after the new (used) flywheel was installed. I took it out about a week later to clean the boat, and run the engine.

When I tried to start the engine it would not. Then after about 3 minutes of this a strange sound began. I removed the cowl and saw that the bendix was stuck in the up position and not turning the flywheel when I turned the key. The bendix would make one or two turns then stop.

I lubed up the shaft on the bendix and nothing. A friend said to tap the starter lightly with a hammer. I did this, turned the key and it went down. Turned the key again and the same problem.

Could a low charged battery be the cause? I have had problems with corroded terminals and had them cleaned when my mechanic fixed the fly wheel. Also, I never charge it. The engine has always done a great job at keeping it charged.

I hate to buy a whole new starter. Any suggestions/trouble shooting would be greatly appreciated. I will take a picture and post here in the evening, but Im sure you have an idea of what is going on.

 

[boobie]

Re: 1999 Johnson 50hp 2-str - Bendix is stuck

Was the starter still spinning over good and the bendix just not spinning the flywheel ?

 

[Lostfisher]

Re: 1999 Johnson 50hp 2-str - Bendix is stuck

A weak battery could very well be the problem, just give it a good charge. turn the flywheel over by hand to drop the starer gear.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1999 Johnson 50hp 2-str - Bendix is stuck

As per Bobbie's reply..... If the starter armature was spinning (you'd see the top nut turning), that would indicate a faulty bendix gear assembly, in which case, replace it. The bendix gear contains a clutch of sorts.... when that clutch fails, the starter armature turns within the bendix gear and the gear stays stationary.

Lostfisher's statement is right on of course BUT make sure that the key is turned to the OFF position. It's highly unlikely that the engine would fire BUT.......!

To test the starter, having a good known battery which is fully charged, run good known jumper cables directly to the electric starter. If that causes the starter to engage the flywheel and crank the engine in a normal fashion, then obviously the electric starter is okay.

If the starter armature IS NOT turning but rather the gear and also the top nut is simply sitting there with the key in the START position..... before going into the replace the starter bit, do the following to eliminate any possible voltage drop problem.

First make absolutely sure that you have a known good battery and that it is fully charged.

Now, remove all cables and wires associated with ther electric starter system, clean the end terminals thoroughly and also the components that those terminals attach to. This includes the battery terminals themselves, the starter solenoid terminals, the connection at the starter, and the ground terminal at the powerhead. When this procedure is completed, should you still have the same problem, grab hold of the main battery cables, one at a time, feeling the cable from the battery to its attachment completion. A hot cable indicates that the cable is either corroded internally or has a bad terminal connection close by.

Tapping on those electric starters with a hammer or whatever? Be extremely careful as the field cores in those starters are solid one piece components that can and will break. Once broke, the starter is useless... $$$$!

Let us know what you find.

 

[jgregory01]

Re: 1999 Johnson 50hp 2-str - Bendix is stuck

Just an update. My battery was dead. Charged it and its running good again. Something so small can make cause such concern.

 

[5150abf]

Re: 1999 Johnson 50hp 2-str - Bendix is stuck

I had a similar problem, hit the key, engine turned over slowly but wouldn't start, turned off key but the starter kept going and just like you it was a low battery, pretty strange problem though and an easy fix.

 

[jgregory01]

Re: 1999 Johnson 50hp 2-str - Bendix is stuck

It was a low battery. Thought it had enough...but did not. thanks.