Starter spindle spins but does'nt engage Flywheel

[pgilli]

I have a 1991 Johnson 60Hp OB, The starter spindle is spinning but not engaging the flywheel. I tried two fully charged battery's. I rotated the spindle and engaged it manually and it would hardly attempt to turn the flywheel. I could hold the spindle on the starter with my fingers and prevent it from spinning. I bought a rebuilt starter $180.00 and it does the same thing. Did I buy a bad starter? Is there anything else that could cause this condition? I jump the 12V directly to the Starter and it still behaved the same way. I used the boat every weekend this Spring and summer till 2 days ago when this happened. any Ideas?

[BKool68]

It sounds like a bad ground connection or one of the battery cables is bad. I would check the ground connection at the motor first.

[JB]

No, PGilli, you didn't buy a bad starter, you replaced a good one.First, buy a manual.Disconnect and clean every connection in the high current circuit, with particular attention to the ground lead that bolts to the block. If the problem persists, measure the voltage at the starter hot lead when engaged, and at the battery with the starter engaged. If the starter voltage is more than 1 volt less than the battery voltage, you have a bad cable in the battery/starter circuit or a bad solenoid.Let us know what you find.

[pgilli]

I haven't tried to Clean anything yet. I did measure 7 Volts when the starter was spinning. thats more than a volt less then he battery. I will try to find and bad ground. I did measure the continuity between the battery (ground) and case of the starter and it was .3 ohms. I guess I will look for bad connections elsewhere.

[pgilli]

Ok, I jumpered the negitive post directly to the starter. This indeed proved there was a groung problem. I found the terminal connection and cleaned it and now all is well. Thank you very much.

[Washman89]

I have the same issue as above, however I tested both battery and started sides had 12.5 volts on both under load. I have lubed the gear thinking that it was not moving freely. Seems to move freely I can move it by hand and it rotates up shaft freely. The gear will not stay ingaged, it jumps up then falls and stays down. Any thoughts? Mine is a 40 hp 6E9 L

[F_R]

I have the same issue as above, however I tested both battery and started sides had 12.5 volts on both under load. I have lubed the gear thinking that it was not moving freely. Seems to move freely I can move it by hand and it rotates up shaft freely. The gear will not stay ingaged, it jumps up then falls and stays down. Any thoughts? Mine is a 40 hp 6E9 L

You have a bad ground connection too.

[JB]

Washman, hijacking an old thread is bad form. You need to start your own thread.

I agree with F_R. You have a bad ground. Look where the battery ground cable bolts to the engine block.

[Washman89]

Sorry new to this, didnt know how to start my own.