Starter issues

[ITSALLNU2ME]

Hi all, I have a '92 Cobia with a 3.0 mercruiser. It won't start. I hear the starter spinning but it is not engaging the motor. I am brand new to boating and would appreciate any help and advice. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bt Doctur]

bad solenoid, bad bendix, bad flywheel. Pull the starter and investigate

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... Like BD says, Pullin' the starter is the 1st step in findin' out what's wrong,....

 

[ashleygoodin]

I am having the same issue - now following this thread. In my case, second starter doing the same thing as the first, spinning, not engaging. Stater bench tests good. No obvious flywheel damage. Battery is a month old, has been on the 10-amp maintainer and putting out 15 volts.

 

[ashleygoodin]

I ordered a new starter and cleaned the terminals really well before installing the starter. That solved my issues. Good luck!

 

[AlabamaNewbie]

I am having the same issue - now following this thread. In my case, second starter doing the same thing as the first, spinning, not engaging. Stater bench tests good. No obvious flywheel damage. Battery is a month old, has been on the 10-amp maintainer and putting out 15 volts.

I know very little about boats. So take this with a grain of salt. If it did this on a car, I’d put some shims between the starter and block. If it bench tested good and the bendix engaged, then it sounds to me that it can’t engage the flywheel while in place because the bendix is hittiing the flywheel instead of engaging it.