Starter spindle spins but does'nt engage Flywheel

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pgilli

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Jul 11, 2002
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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? :confused:
 
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BKool68

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Oct 14, 2001
Messages
259
Re: Starter spindle spins but does'nt engage Flywheel

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

JB

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Re: Starter spindle spins but does'nt engage Flywheel

No, PGilli, you didn't buy a bad starter, you replaced a good one.<br /><br />First, buy a manual.<br /><br />Disconnect and clean every connection in the high current circuit, with particular attention to the ground lead that bolts to the block. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />Let us know what you find. :)
 
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pgilli

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Re: Starter spindle spins but does'nt engage Flywheel

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.
 
P

pgilli

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Re: Starter spindle spins but does'nt engage Flywheel

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. :)
 
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Washman89

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May 30, 2009
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Re: Starter spindle spins but does'nt engage Flywheel

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
 
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F_R

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Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,195
Re: Starter spindle spins but does'nt engage Flywheel

Washman89 said:
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
Click to expand...

You have a bad ground connection too.
 
JB

JB

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Messages
45,907
Re: Starter spindle spins but does'nt engage Flywheel

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.
 
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Washman89

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May 30, 2009
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Re: Starter spindle spins but does'nt engage Flywheel

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