new starter spins but wont engage.

[Ed Elder]

brand new starter spins but wont lift and engage 2003 merc 2 stroke 90hp.... Brand new battery as well... motor has 50 hours on it... stored last three years started up nice...shut it off and the starter issue happened... bought new starter to find same problem exists. I am going to put charger on battery while I take a course this am... it took many attempts to initially start and maybe battery is weak.... I am thinking solenoid, but more than likely a voltage issue.. help me Obi Kwon you're my only hope

 

[joeanna]

I would check your elec. connections first after charging battery, mine had a bit of corrosion on the solenoid that I cleaned, then mine did the same thing. Here the wire teminals had too large a size hole and didn't make good contact (high resistance) and when I replaced them to the proper size (low resistance), back to working good.

 

[mack6820]

I'm having the same problem. My new starter gets extremely hot so I returned it and waiting for another one. I did find today that my negative battery wire looks weak and flimsy so that might be my problem. Have you found a solution yet?

 

[Silvertip]

If the starter is engaging but not spinning the flywheel, the solenoid is NOT the problem but battery cable connections might be. A brand new battery may not be fully charged either so that should have been step #1 in this entire process. Step #2 would be to ensure you can manually run the Bendix up and down the starter shaft without binding.

 

[NicoPags]

adding step 3 to silvertip, you must must must check for good solid ground. The Bendix should easily be manipulated by yourself up and down as Silvertip said. use a light oil on the shaft once you free it.