Starter problem

[tnduc]

I had a "starter" problem today on my '91 Evinrude 90HP. Was starting up the motor cold, when on the third try I heard the starter spinning. I took the top off and saw that the start cog did not go all the way up to engage the flywheel. I manually moved it up, hit the switch and it spun the flywheel as normal. A couple of cold trys with my manually moving the cog up until the engine caught and ran. Once the motor was warm this problem did not repeat itself. Any ideas? The battery is new, tuneup recently done on the motor. Thanks.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Starter problem

most common causes of this symptom: bendix gear (the "cog") sticking, and starter not spinning up quickly enough. The first can be solved with a couple drops light oil (I use 3-in-1 oil) on the threads under the bendix. Don't use WD40, don't use grease. Don't put enough on their to run down the shaft into the motor.

The second can be caused by insufficiently charged battery, wiring fault, or bad starter. Disconnect, clean, and reconnect the battery cables from battery (+) to solenoid to starter and battery (-) to engine block. polish 'em with sandpaper or something 'til their nice & shiny. Replace any cables with damaged insulation (unseen corrosion can get in there).

Measure the battery voltage with a multimeter, fully charged is 12.65 volts or more. Maybe the first two tries drained too much juice from the battery?

Hard cold start, most common cause is operator error. Describe your cold start procedure.

 

[tnduc]

Re: Starter problem

Well, you could be right about the operator problem. I'm just back into boating after a 10+ year absence. My procedure: Make sure boat is in the water , throttle is in neutral, push key in to choke and turn key to start. Repeat as necessary.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Starter problem

instead of choke plates, your motor has a primer choke system, which drains fuel into the cylinders to richen up the mixture for cold starting. try this:
1. boat in water
2. lift hi-idle lever to start position
3. turn key to "on" and push in to prime; hold for five or eight seconds
4. continue holding key in while turning it to "start"

good luck & let us know how it turns out

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Starter problem

high idle lever up. once started you may have to push the key in once or twice, until the engine settles. lower fast idle. be careful not to flood it, holding the key in. also fully charged battery, clean, tight cable end, battery and engine, solenoid to starter. loose or dirty connections cause resistance in the flow of elect. thus the starter does not get the full juice, and it acts like the starter is bad.

 

[tnduc]

Re: Starter problem

Thanks. I must be missing something. Where is the high-idle lever? I've got a '91 Sunbird CC and the only lever I recall is the throttle lever.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Starter problem

Standard control box has a single throttle/shift control, plus a lever that is used as a throttle when the engine's in neutral.

If your throttle lever is also the shift lever, there must be a "throttle-only" button or something that lets you rev the engine without shifting?

 

[tnduc]

Re: Starter problem

I'll check it again when I get home. I did think it was strange that there was no way to throttle up in neutral . I'll let you guys know.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Starter problem

if you have the consealed controller with just the handle on the side panel, there is a button you push, that lets you advance the throttle with out engaging the gears. push the button and advance the lever all the way forward. if you don't get it right the neutral switch will not let it start.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Starter problem

this is probably similar to what you have, the button, in the center of the hub, is what disengages the shift function, so you can advance the throttle in neutral. http://www.iboats.com/Johnson_Evinr....243446--list_time.1180449113--view_id.349953

 

[tnduc]

Re: Starter problem

OK- I think I found it. There is no button or lever on the handle. However, the handle does slide out away from the console and then moves freely forward. This looks like it puts it in neutral. I'll let you guys know when I get a chance to fire up the motor. Thanks.