Force L-Drive motor starter not engaging flywheel problem

bretmoua

Cadet
Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Messages
24
My friend has a 1989 Bayliner with a 125 hp force L-Drive motor with starter problems. When he goes to turn the key over, the starter would turn only but not go up to engage the flywheel. He had replaced the starter last year around summer time and the boat had been running fine until last week. I once had this problem on my 1996 150hp mercury motor too and was able to fix it but I can't remember how. Can anyone point me in the right direction so I can help him?
 

pnwboat

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2007
Messages
4,251
Re: Force L-Drive motor starter not engaging flywheel problem

I've had that happen a few times on my starter. The Bendex gear was binding and had gotten stuck and would not pop up to engage the flywheel. Just tapped it lightly with a pair of pliers and it popped up and worked fine. Took some dry moly lubricant and applied very sparingly to the shaft and it has worked fine for the last few years.
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
17,927
Re: Force L-Drive motor starter not engaging flywheel problem

Just a touch of WD on the worm gear.VERY LIGHT TOUCH.
Then operate it a few times by hand.
Also if the battery is low it will do the same thing.
 

bretmoua

Cadet
Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Messages
24
Re: Force L-Drive motor starter not engaging flywheel problem

Thanks guys. I told him to bang on it lightly with a mallet a few times and it worked. Now he's a happy man. LOL
 
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