1998 25 hp starter problems

New battery, freshly charged - 12.56 volts. Starter bendix engages flywheel but won't turn engine. Replaced solenoid, checked/cleaned all connections. Have 12.56 volts on battery side of solenoid, turn key to start position have and 12.56 on starter side of solenoid when starter is not connected, but when starter is connected the voltage drops to 3.4 volts. connected starter to batter via jumper cables and starter turned engine over as designed. Any ideas on what/where problem is?

Re: 1998 25 hp starter problems

90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one.

also have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, free, i've had new batteries go bad

Re: 1998 25 hp starter problems

Problem solved - Battery cables corroded from inside, could't carry voltage. solved problem by connecting jumper cables from battery to starter solenoid. Starter turned over like brand new. Jumper cables then became donor cables by adding new copper terminals. Back on the water.