Several Questions about starter

[lp142]

I'm working on a 140hp Johnson 1979, I was trying to start it, or at lease make sure that the ignition worked. When I turned the key all I heard was a clicking sound from the solenoid, I then proceeded to jump the starter, it will just spin backward. The battery I was using is a marine deep cycle rated at 105Amps, is that too small and could it cause the problems.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Several Questions about starter

Are you sure the starter is turning backwards. Viewed from the shaft end, it should spin counter clockwise. Because of the bendix, it would make the engine spin clockwise. Although deep cycle batteries are not recommended for use as starting batteries, it should be large enough to allow the bendix to rise and engage the flywheel. If the starter is indeed rotating the wrong direction (clockwise rather than counter clockwise) the bendix cannot rise. Are you sure the battery cables are not reversed? If they are, you may have fried the voltage regulator so check charging voltage when you do get the engine running. If the starter spins by jumping it but not through the solenoid, make sure the battery cables (both ends) and clean and tight and that the terminal ends are free of corrosion where the cable enters the terminal. If the cables are good, the battery is fully charged, and the starter still doesn't spin, the solenoid is probably bad. If the bendix still doesn't rise when rotating the correct direction, clean the grooves in the starter shaft. It may also be that the starter bearings are tight or worn causing excessive drag.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Several Questions about starter

if you unplug the big red plug, it disables the remote controlls, the engine will fire, and start, with it unpluged, by jumping the starter. you will have to choke it or let it run out of gas to shut it off.

 

[lp142]

Re: Several Questions about starter

Are you saying that if I'm looking at the shaft from the top of the bendix, it should be turning counterclockwise?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Several Questions about starter

Yes. That's correct. Think about it. If the starter were connected to the flywheel with a belt, then it would have to turn clockwise to make the engine turn clockwise. But since its a gear drive, to make the engine turn clockwise, the starter needs to turn counterclockwise. Basic mechanics/physics 101.