Solenoid? Starter? Any Thoughts?

[BigRed48]

I have a '96 Johnson 112SPL that won't start. The batteries are good, when I go to start the boat the starter spins, but the vendix ( I think is the right word) is not raising up to mesh with the flywheels gears. I bypassed the solenoid and got the same results. The vendix is not stuck I can lift it up to meet the flywheel, it's as if the starter is not receiving enough power to raise it up. I tested the solenoid by providing it with power, then using an ohmmeter on it and it came out to 12, as I understand it, the lower the number the better. I don't know any ideas are welcomed.

 

[DJ]

Re: Solenoid? Starter? Any Thoughts?

Remove and clean the negative battery cable where it attaches to the engine block.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Solenoid? Starter? Any Thoughts?

Yep, clean and check all connections from the battery. Sounds like you are losing some "woomph" somewhere.

 

[Tanman_6590]

Re: Solenoid? Starter? Any Thoughts?

I am dealing with the same issue on my 200 hp outboard. I have an arco 5387 starter on it and the drive gear travels up the spline until it meets the flywheel. I took it apart and discovered that the drive gear does not move beyond that point. It is as if the the drive gear was cross threaded on the spline, but it worked fine yesterday. I have no idea what is going on. Am going to call Arco on Monday. Good luck.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Solenoid? Starter? Any Thoughts?

90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one.

also have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, free, i've had new batteries go bad