bendix will not engage flywheel (with a fully charged battery)

[astampfel]

I have a 1990 115 Hp. Johnson. When I start the engine, the starter spins, but will not engage the flywheel. If I turn the Bendix by hand to engage the flywheel, and then start the engine, the engine will turn over. I also noticed that the engine doesn't turn over as fast as it used to. I'm open to suggestions on what the problem is? Could it be the starter motor starting to go bad? My battery is new, 13 volts, and had it charging all night.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: bendix will not engage flywheel (with a fully charged battery)

The problem is in the wiring from the battery to the starter.

What is the voltage measure at the starter while cranking? Should be the 12.65 volts like it is at your battery. If it is, your starter may need a rebuild. If not, start by removing all connections, dont just look at them, polish them with a file, make them shine, then re tighten. This includes at your battery, solenoid, starter, main ground. Flex the wires, if ycrunch, or have nicks, cuts, abrasions, they need to be replaced. Alot of this wiring corrodes internally, and you cannot see it.

If you have a meter, and are able to use it, you can voltage drop test to determine the faulty section of wiring. Let us know if you need help with this.

You can also clean and oil the bendix, but nothing too heavy, a light sewing machine oil, or 3 in 1 is all you need, and only a little.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: bendix will not engage flywheel (with a fully charged battery)

Follow High Trim's advice. I'd hook a set of jumper cables direct to the starter. If the bendix works that way, then you have some voltage drop in the system. Possible that the starter solenoid contacts internal to that solenoid are dirty/corroded. That's a fairly cheap fix.

 

[astampfel]

Re: bendix will not engage flywheel (with a fully charged battery)

I changed out the starter with one I have on a spare motor and it works like a charm. I guess I should look at rebuilding the bad starter??

 

[wilde1j]

Re: bendix will not engage flywheel (with a fully charged battery)

You can get the starter rebuilt/fixed at any good auto electric shop.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: bendix will not engage flywheel (with a fully charged battery)

It would be unusual if you couldn't salvage that starter. I'd pull the starter apart. Usually two issues with them. When the old grease dries out, they can slow down and will sometimes squeal when being powered up. Clean/replace the dried out grease with some white lithium grease. Both ends of the armature. Also, the brushes will eventually wear out. These are sold by Bombardier as replacements. Buy replacement brushes based on which type (manufacturer) of starter you have. [Also, the starter bottom will fill up with carbon dust from the brushes. Clean it out thoroughly.]

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: bendix will not engage flywheel (with a fully charged battery)

I changed out the starter with one I have on a spare motor and it works like a charm. I guess I should look at rebuilding the bad starter??

Not necessarilly. You may just have temporarily solved the issue by disturbing the connections to put the other starter on the motor. Both starters could well be good. Swap them out again to see or bench test the one you took off.
Good luck.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: bendix will not engage flywheel (with a fully charged battery)

Not necessarilly. You may just have temporarily solved the issue by disturbing the connections to put the other starter on the motor. Both starters could well be good. Swap them out again to see or bench test the one you took off.
Good luck.

That is exactly what I thought while reading as well. Bad connection.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: bendix will not engage flywheel (with a fully charged battery)

That is exactly what I thought while reading as well. Bad connection.

Great Minds ????

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: bendix will not engage flywheel (with a fully charged battery)

my motor did the same thing turned out to be a bolt that held the ground wire on the starter it was too short and had stripped out the first few threads in the hole - i put a little bit longer bolt in there and it worked fine