Intermittent Starter Problem

[Scuda11]

Hi guys. 1983 200 hp Johnson. <br /><br />Every once in a while I will go to start her up and get nothing, just a sparky type sound. I dont see any sparks in the vic of the starter. Eventually it will start spinning however.<br /><br />But then...sometimes the starter will just spin and spin, not lifting up the spindle. Following the advice of the forum here, I sprayed some WD-40 down in it while spinning the spindle by hand. Still spins, and sometimes I will have to manually turn the spindle up into the teeth of the flywheel, kind of "lodge" it there and then try to start it. After that, it will fire every time, unless I sit for an hour or so.<br /><br />Is it just time for a new starter or is there something I can check? <br /><br />thanks

 

[OBJ]

Re: Intermittent Starter Problem

Sounds like your battery is on the weak side or you have a dirty connection 'tween the battery and starter. Check or have the battery checked to make sure it's puttin' out what it should and check your connections at the battery and at the engine.

 

[Scuda11]

Re: Intermittent Starter Problem

Battery strength seems strong, usually over 12 on each. I will check the connections in between OBJ, thanks. So it doesnt sound like something a "faulty" starter would do 'eh?<br /><br />thanks again.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Intermittent Starter Problem

Brush's wear and commutators get dirty over time. Both cause poor contact and can cause your symptoms. Start with the easy stuff first. Then if the easy stuff dosen't fix it, may be time to take a look at the starter.

 

[Scuda11]

Re: Intermittent Starter Problem

So take it apart and give it a clean. Question, I have heard that WD-40 is ok to spray on connections like that, is that alright?

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Intermittent Starter Problem

You might try jumping the starter directly from the batery....if it works fine then the problem is in your wireing. If you still have the problem try a new batery or rebuild your starter.

 

[Stumpys]

Re: Intermittent Starter Problem

OBJ is right on track.<br /><br />The starter drive works on centrifical force. It takes a full charge and good connections to throw that drive up into the flywheel. A fully charged battery should be at 12.8 volts, but a bad cell will cause low current. <br /><br />Brushes can wear also, but they are pretty slow about wearing unless you have either a bad battery, or bad connections. This causes excessive brush wear due to low voltage, high current draw. Brushes will arc across the mica that is between the commutator bars.

 

[Scuda11]

Re: Intermittent Starter Problem

Thanks all, I will try those things mentioned and report back with my results, thanks as always, I am not sure what I would do without this place.....<br /><br />20yrs Coast Guard.<br />Hey, I just drove 'em<br />Someone else fixed 'em