1975 Johnson 85 - starter pinion not engaging flywheel

[hcontreras]

Quick question: Today we took our boat on the water, everything ran fine, until we suddenly were trying to move to a different fishing spot. As I went to start the engine, it wouldn't crank over, it was sort of a humming sound, I took the cowling off, and the starter pinion was not going up to engage the flywheel. I then tapped around the pinion gear lightly with the handle of a screwdriver, tried it again, then it engaged the flywheel, and started right up. It did this a couple of times today. Does anyone know if this could be a starter problem or just a pinion gear needs some lubricating, etc?? Your help is appreciated. Thanks.

[Vic.S]

Start by cleaning the Bendix. It should move up the shaft to engage with the ring gear very freely.
If the starter motor is not spinning at full speed then check for poor connections, negative as well as positive, consider worn brushes/ dirty commutator if all else fails

[tashasdaddy]

weak battery also. check you cables for any worn spots, a small nick, lets moisture inside, where they corrode, and do not deliver full power to starter motor.