Slow cranking 1997 120hp Force

[terrya]

I have a slow cranking 120 hp Force. I have a new battery and have checked all the connections and they appear to be fine. I think it may be the starter. When I bench test the starter it turns but under load it acts like it dose not have enough torque. I took the starter apart and I did not have good contact on the ground side of the brushes due to corrosion. I cleaned the conections and installed new screws and now I have good continuity through the brushes. I have not replaced the starter yet. My question is how can I tell if I need to replace the armature?

 

[TwoFish]

Re: Slow cranking 1997 120hp Force

You can pick up new starters off ebay for about $70.00. I have not bought one myself off eday but the feedback on the sellers look good. I would not bother mucking around with the old on if it has a major problem. To test an armature you need an expensive piece of equipment call a ?Growler?. Motor rewind shops will have one but by the time you have it tested and repaired it would be cheaper to buy a new starter.

You can test the old starter by using a heavy set of jumper leads connected directly to the starter. With the starter installed in the boat motor connect the positive lead to the terminal on the starter and then touch the negative lead to the casing of the starter. BE CAREFUL OF MOVING PARTS! If it works you know that it is the wiring that is the problem.

Give the battery a good charge before you start to be on the safe side.

Good Luck

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Slow cranking 1997 120hp Force

Basics???Do a compression test first then spark.Remove the plugs and see what happens.Then take the starter apart.Clean it.Turn the brushes upside down.
Load test the battery.J

 

[jeffsji]

Re: Slow cranking 1997 120hp Force

It's the starter. I have had the same thing with my 1997 1800 capri with a force 120 every other year it seems. I used to get them installed but after the 2nd one I just started buying them off of ebay.. I am on number 4 now and have a spare that goes in the Yukon before the boat gets hitched to go for the weekend. Forget the compression tests and all of that. Just buy another starter on ebay for 75.00 and you will be set.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Slow cranking 1997 120hp Force

Just throwing parts at a problem is not the way to do it.
Stators are supposed to last a long time.On my twin 88/85 's they are original.
Figure out the problem,don't throw parts at a problem.Figure out why it's doing what it's doing.Then throw the $ at the gas tank.J

 

[SwampThing]

Re: Slow cranking 1997 120hp Force

The number one thing that goes wrong with these starters is that someone cranks them for too long and arcs up the brushes. They get real hot fast and the owners manuals even recommend that you crank it for no longer than 15 seconds before giving it a pause to let it cool off. Above all else, NEVER wack it with anything to get it working! There are magnets attached to the inside of the casing and you will break them.

Take the starter apart, clean the copper contact ring and brushes with some fine sandpaper / emory cloth. Make sure the brushes aren't getting stuck in their little recess's and that they spring up to make contact with the copper contact ring on the armature and you should be good to go. Of course you'll want to test it before heading out.

Also make sure that the contact gear on the starter is popping up and engaging the fly wheel. But you did say slow crank and not no crank.