starter selenoid problems

hello everyone,i heard many good things about this board and looking forward to your help.<br />i am new to boating,so excuse my not knowing what parts are called. my problemis i bought a new boat this summer and it worked fine until last weekend. the electric starter on my 75hp 1990 mercury ob spins, but doesn't engage the flywheel. if i remove the cover and move the part that has teeth and engages the flywheel, after a couple tries it engages, sometimes it just works fine, but when hot it appears to just spin. what do i need to do? thanks in advance.<br />ps. i looked at previous posts, but i am afraid i didn't understand some of the tech terms, can someone please help me in plain words. i also bought a manual and not mech challanged. thanks

Re: starter selenoid problems

Hey teez.No expert here but had a similar problem on 93 115 mariner that turned out to be just a bad connection on motor side of battery cable.I would clean all,confirm good battery,lubricate starter shaft.If no help then use manual to check starter to spec.

Re: starter selenoid problems

You are probebly in need of a new bendix.<br /><br />Or<br /><br />Lube the old one up.<br /><br />TMD

Re: starter selenoid problems

thanks doc. thanks jw. i cleaned all contact points and wd40'd all visible spots. took it out for a quick spin, started right up,20 min later shut it off. when i went back to start it up, same thing, spins but no contact with the flywheel any other ideas? could it be that i need a new starter (can't afford). i read some past posts bout brushes, could that be my problem? thanks for the help.

Re: starter selenoid problems

If the starter seems to spin fast enough...the BENDIX is the part that is giving you the problem...the bendix is the part that engages the flywheel.<br /><br />TMD

Re: starter selenoid problems

thanks doc for your quick reply. does this mean i need a new bendix? i can see its the part with a spring underneath it. when on the water and it doesn't start, i sorta rotate the (bendix)N i guess until it starts moving up, and then it engages, it sure does spin fast enough, but doesn't go up to engage. thanks for all your patience folks, i am new to this.