Starter not engaging on 70hp Force

[Force39]

Hi Gang, Last night might starter quit working on my 1995 70hp Force. It was kind of locked up just to the point contact with the flywheel. Today I checked my battery and connections....all good. It would spin where it was at but not quite engaged. Removed the starter and looked for a new one. Would be Thursday before I could get one so I took mine apart. Pretty dirty, but nothing bad looking. Very lightly sanded the brushes and their contact point. Cleaned everything with electronic spray cleaner. Got it back together, brushes ain't easy!, put back on motor and it spins nice, but won't go up and engage. It's 24 years old, maybe just worn out. Any suggestions about something else being bad? Solenoid,etc?? Thanks for any tips and have a nice Memorial Day as we reflect on those brave people we lost!

 

[Force39]

Forgot to ad a pic

 

[GA_Boater]

Some light oil like 3 In 1;

 

[jerryjerry05]

Clean the old grease off then a coat of thin grease.
I use a spray can of White Lithium grease(Walmart)
Be careful to not spray grease up into the Bendix or the rubber in the Bendix will be destroyed. and you'll
need to buy a new one.
Be careful on the cheap chineese starters.
Some work for a long time and most break quick.

 

[Force39]

Thanks for the response. Tried it, but no luck. If it is spinning does it have to be the starter itself??

 

[racerone]

Did you take an ohm reading from commutator to the shaft.---Should read infinity on a digital meter.------Did you replace brushes ?

 

[Force39]

Did not take that ohm reading and only lightly sanded tops of brushes. I don't have a problem buying a new starter, I just wondered since it spins if it could be anything else causing the problem??? Thanks

 

[racerone]

I guess if you can solve it with money you do not have any problems.-----Install the new starter and see what happens.

 

[Force39]

Actually I was trying to find out if something other than the starter could cause the problem before buying one.

 

[Force39]

Checked the shaft to the hot wire and had less than an ohm. Guessing that wasn't what you wanted me to do? Checked voltage at hot wire connection while attempting to start and it dropped to about 11.8vdc. Is that an exceptable drop when starting? Starter still running fast, but not engaging. Taking battery in the morning to have it checked and eliminate that as a possibility. Thanks

 

[jerryjerry05]

You sure the battery was hooked up right?(sorry had to ask)
The starter can run backwards if hooked up wrong
The Bendix can be bad and not work.
But if it's spinning it should lift.
Load test the battery.

Load tester from Harbor Freight 20$
One tool that I use a LOT.
Buy that and a hygrometer for testing your battery.

Try starting and use a screwdriver to try and lift the Bendix, be careful.

 

[Force39]

Update. Bought new starter. Tested in garage. Installed on boat. Fired right up! But, then wouldn't start a half hour later. Bendix(?) appears to drop down to quickly. Thinking this new starter is faulty.

 

[The Force power]

Update. Bought new starter. Tested in garage. Installed on boat. Fired right up! But, then wouldn't start a half hour later. Bendix(?) appears to drop down to quickly. Thinking this new starter is faulty.

Check your Battery-cables & Connectors for a clean/tied ends, make sure your ground cable is in good condition

 

[jerryjerry05]

The "new" chineese crap is just that CRAP!!
Rebuild your old. Usually under 15$ for a brush set.

You do a compression test??

 

[Force39]

Not sure how to do a compression check? I believe you are spot on about the Chinese crap! Got a used, working OEM starter coming off of Ebay. Seller has great reviews. Will update after installation.

 

[jerryjerry05]

u-tube video's
https://youtu.be/Yl6LDG41EEw
Cheap tools= cheap / poor results.

As long as the results are even or close the actual reading can be low.
Low results can be the tools.

Some auto part stores loan tools.

 

[Force39]

Hi Guys, Been out of town for a while. Update, I'm on my 3rd starter. Latest OEM I installed will start motor after 4 or 5 tries. Then not. Motor runs great once started. Battery very good. Feeling it isn't a starter issue. I've asked before, what else could cause this problem?? I don't think there's a solenoid?? Could something make the flywheel turn hard?? Thanks, John

 

[jerryjerry05]

Things to make it seem the starters bad: low compression, bearings in the top of the motor, bearings in the bottom
of the motor, bearings in the top of the drive, bearings(2-3) along the prop shaft, Bad battery cables, bad battery, bad/loose battery connections, old battery, dead cell in battery, using a deep cycle battery, weak battery timing off.
Probably a few more??

 

[Force39]

Thanks. I've checked battery and cables. Going to go from battery directly to starter. If it works will look at starter relay which I just located.

 

[Scott Danforth]

3rd starter.......your problem is the cables or battery or battery connections and not the starter

did you take 220 grit sand paper and clean the mating surfaces where the block and starter connect? did you clean every battery cable connection on both the ground cable and the positive cable? did you clean the battery connections at the battery? did you test the battery?

if your battery connections are not shiny clean metal (clean enough your mother would eat off them), then they are not clean.

once every connection is clean, shiny and wrench tight, then seal them with marine electrical varnish