Starter wont engage, just spins

[stoked not]

Hey Guys,<br />Hoping you can help. Just wanted to start my motor in the driveway on the hose and she wont start. The starter won’t engage it just spins. Batteries are charged and check good. The starter never pops up to engage with the fly wheel. The boat hasn’t been used in two weeks. Am I looking at a bad starter or solenoid?<br /><br />1991 225 HP Johnson<br /><br />Thanks in advanced

 

[stoked not]

Re: Starter wont engage, just spins

Some more information. I jumped the starter and bypassed the solenoid and I have the same results. Looks like a bad starter? Anyone.....

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Starter wont engage, just spins

You're probably looking at a stuck Bendix gear. That's the little gear that moves up the starter shaft to engage the flywheel and turn the motor over. Fortunately, it's usually easy to fix. Just clean the starter shaft that the Bendix runs on with some kind of solvent [WD-40, whatever] and lubricate it with a light grease. You can turn the Bendix up the shaft with your fingers to get to it.

 

[mrtool2u]

Re: Starter wont engage, just spins

Can you tell if the starter is spinning the right way.Is the starter shaft turning.Have someone turn the key while you watch the starter.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Starter wont engage, just spins

Often this is caused by crud in the cable connections either + or -. Pull all & clean. Also check grounds to the motor.<br /><br />Do you hear any sound from the solinoid when you hit the key?<br /><br />Connections may look clean but may not be.

 

[stoked not]

Re: Starter wont engage, just spins

Thanks guys. Yes, the shaft turns but the bendix never rises to engage the fly wheel. I sprayed WD-40 and still no go. Should I be able to lift the small gear with a srew driver. Because I can't. Unless I'm not putting enough *** be hind it. I don't want to damage it. I think she's stuck.

 

[stoked not]

Re: Starter wont engage, just spins

Solittle,<br />Yes I can hear the solenoid, I also jumped it bypassing the solenoid. The bendix never comes up.

 

[bubbakat]

Re: Starter wont engage, just spins

Take your fingers and twist the little gear and it should wind up to the top. Then lub it with some light grease or oil

 

[mrtool2u]

Re: Starter wont engage, just spins

The little gear will only turn 1 way,you can tell by looking at shaft,if it wont turn 1 way,try the other way,if no go,the gear is seized on shaft.

 

[artymike]

Re: Starter wont engage, just spins

as grease picks up grime and accelerates the problem happening again, use a light oil to lube that helical gear.

 

[scottr_6]

Re: Starter wont engage, just spins

This happens to mine all the time. You need to apply some upward pressure to the bendix while turning it at the same time. Once it breaks free just do what everyone suggests, some solvent and then light grease. I have also seen a weak battery cause this because the drive does not spin fast enough for the centrifugal force to drive it up.

 

[farginicehole]

Re: Starter wont engage, just spins

The good news is that, if it's damaged beyond fixing with grease (after you get it unstuck), they're only around $20 through your OMC dealer. I just put a new one on my '89 150XP last season. Mine wasn't stuck, but the teeth were pretty worn out and I was afraid it was going to destroy the mating teeth on my flywheel.