1997 Force 90 bendix gear not engaging

[CZSteve]

We just pulled our toon off the water for cleaning and moving to a new marina.
Started fine last week but now I tried cranking and the starter bendix gear does not engage with the flywheel. The starter will spin the bendix but it does not extend and engage the flywheel; I can spin the gear by hand, does not seem to be corroded.

We put a new starter on about 14 months ago; never changed the solenoid but I do have a new one if needed.
- Sound like a bad starter again?
- Bad solenoid be the culprit? (Didn't think the starter would turn if the solenoid was bad).
- Relays? (both relays 'look' good but original).

EDIT: I just manually raised the bendix gear into the flywheel teeth to see what would happen.
- As mentioned, bendix gear moves fine on shaft.
- When tried starting the starter did not turn-over; just made a buzzing sound and now the bendix gear won't come back down.

What does this tell you?
(batteries should be fine; one primary for starting & one deep cycle for radio - on a perco switch).

Thanks again,
Steve

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: 1997 Force 90 bendix gear not engaging

Check your starting battery and all connections.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 1997 Force 90 bendix gear not engaging

Load test the batteries.
Then do a compression test.
Compression /spark test is the first step in diagnosing any starting problem.
The starter worm gear, a touch of grease.
The solenoid could be bad.Weak.
The starter take it apart.Even fairly new can go bad.One bad brush or a loose magnet can cause that.
The bendix is supposed to release when the motor goes faster than the starter.Again some grease.

 

[CZSteve]

Re: 1997 Force 90 bendix gear not engaging

Well H3ll....
Yup, starting battery connection needed some cleaning; there was very slight corrosion on the negative terminal - wouldn't have thought it was enough to make a difference but apparently it was.

Thanks,
SA