120 Force Starting Issues

[J_ Welch]

Hey guys. To start off I have read a couple posts on here that addressed the same issue. I have went through the suggestions and the motor is still having issues. I have a 1997 120 Force outboard attached to a 19' Quantum.
Originally when I bought the boat last year I noticed the previous owner had the same trouble. When starting, the starter cranks over one time, pauses, then usually cranks normal for a couple turns. Any additional attempts to restart the engine short after, the starter slows down like a weak battery. After getting stuck once this year I decided to tear into it.

First I replaced the starter and solenoid through Amazon. No changes in the issue. I replaced the battery with a 600CCA, didn't solve the issue. I replaced the battery wiring from the battery to the engine. Checked all grounds and cleaned them as I went. As I was following a previous thread I completed a compression check . All four cylinders were above 100 psi. During the compression check I noticed the engine would turn like it normally should with the plugs out, but I could only get about three turns before the starter stalled. I also used jumper cables from a separate battery and the problem still continued. I checked both batteries with a tester and both were good.

I'm out of ideas other than replace the starter again. My next move is to see if I burnt up the brushes during all this testing. It's pretty obvious the temperatures are high when I jump the solenoid.

Thanks in advance, any help is appreciated!

 

[Redbarron%%]

Have you tried a new starter? Not one of the cheap Chinese ones for a few bucks, a US made (in Pensacola) Arco

 

[J_ Welch]

That’s my next go to. Get a good quality starter

 

[Redbarron%%]

If the engine does not turn over 300 rpm cranking the magnetos won't fire.

 

[oldboat1]

+1 for Arco if you want a replacement. Why not pull the stater off yourself and disassemble (remove long vertical bolts). You may need new brushes or perhaps only a good cleaning with electrical spray. (Make sure it's dry before trying to fire it up.)

 

[jerryjerry05]

The slow turn sounds like low compression on one or more holes.
Do the compression test with a different gauge.
The results should be 145-155 depending on the cylinder and gauge.
Your 4 cyl the top and bottom have different results.
Came from the factory with a 10# difference between top/bottom and the 2 center holes.
Post the results.
Still slow turning? drop the lower unit and see if that makes a difference???

 

[J_ Welch]

Arco starter ordered. I’ll keep you all posted on the outcome. Thanks.
I couldn’t actually get a true compression because the starter would stall around 3 cranks.

 

[Redbarron%%]

There is always the possibility of water in one or more cylinders as well as water does not compress, but that should have cleared out by the second revolution of the crank.
My experience with the cheap Chinese starters is that if you get a kickback it will bend the shaft in addition to other cheapness issues.