Starter keeps turning even when key is in off position

[BrettUmd]

I tried starting my engine this morning, but the battery was dead (due to me leaving the lights on). Anyways, jump-starting the engine did not work, and now the starter keeps cranking even when the key is in the off position. I imagine a solenoid got fried or something when I tried to jumpstart it, but does anyone know where to look? It's a 1995 Johnson 90 HP.

 

[newboater40759]

Re: Starter keeps turning even when key is in off position

try voltage testing the wires that hook up to your starters solenoid from your ignition if your getting any voltage from that when the key is not turned then replace your ignition otherwise you have a dead solenoid which are easily replaced<br /><br />Try going here http://www.maxrules.com/oldmercs/Wiring/0_1965a/4.pdf it's not for your specific motor but its the same setup

 

[BrettUmd]

Re: Starter keeps turning even when key is in off position

are solenoids easily purchases at west marine or boaters world?

 

[newboater40759]

Re: Starter keeps turning even when key is in off position

im not sure if they have them in stock but they could easily order one for you. they should only be about $15-$30

 

[BrettUmd]

Re: Starter keeps turning even when key is in off position

ok, I am really thinking it is the solenoid now because the starter still spins even when the boat is in gear. If the solenoid were good, wouldn't the kill switch stop this from happening?

 

[blgrams]

Re: Starter keeps turning even when key is in off position

when you say the starter stays on does that mean that the starter motor keeps running or is it that the gear on the starter just stays engaged with the flywheel? if the starter motor stays on you have an electrical problem key switch etc. if the gear stays engaged in the flywheel you have a bendix gear (the gear on the starter ) problem which may be cured by lubrication. A good way to tell is to remove the starter and test as sometimes it is hard to tell if the starter is turning itself or if the flywheel is turning it.

 

[rwise]

Re: Starter keeps turning even when key is in off position

It could also stay engaged (but not trying to run) because of low voltage. Charge your battery to a full charge if its low.

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: Starter keeps turning even when key is in off position

Trying to start on low voltage,ie low battery, jumper cables, will cause the starter solinoid contacts to weld themselves together thus causing the starter to keep running even with key off or motor running, charge the battery and change the solinoid.

 

[newboater40759]

Re: Starter keeps turning even when key is in off position

your ignition might be shorting also so it always gives the solenoid power

 

[BrettUmd]

Re: Starter keeps turning even when key is in off position

yeah, it is the bendix gear that is the spinning... not the starter itself... will swap batter and replace solenoid and report findings

 

[blgrams]

Re: Starter keeps turning even when key is in off position

try lubing the bendix gear first using light oil I perfer not to use penetrating oil as it has no "staying power" after the gear is loose and it dilutes the light (liken 3 in 1 oil) oil and you end up out on the lake with a sticking bendix gear. the bedix gear only turns one way so it should easily slide up and down while twisting it one direction but should lock in position when twisted the other. if it does not lock in one direction you still have a problem.

 

[magellan44]

Re: Starter keeps turning even when key is in off position

When you say the bendix is spinning does the gear drop down and keep spinning or is it still engaged in the flywheel? I am having a similar problem with my 70 hp Rude and it is about the same year. It started out almost exactly like yours, I had two dead batteries and tried to charge them. After charging them they still would not start the motor so I went and bought two new ones and that is when my problem started.<br />Mine is trying to start when I engage the battery switch without the key on. When I turn the key on the motor starts but the starter disengages the flywheel but still spins. If you have any luck please advise.<br /><br />Thanks Ben

 

[BrettUmd]

Re: Starter keeps turning even when key is in off position

If it were the ignition shorting, wouldn't the solenoid stop the bendex gear from spinning when you put it in gear? I believe there is a safety device built in which will not allow the engine to be started in gear. In my case, the bendex gear spins no matter what... in gear, and out of gear. I am gonna swap the solenoid in the AM; hopefully this will fix it.

 

[McGR]

Re: Starter keeps turning even when key is in off position

You didn't indicate if the motor is starting or not. If it is not starting, and the starter drive is staying enguaged, everything is probably OK. These style starters stay engauged unitl the motor speed exceeds starter speded, at which point the drive should drop out. As long as its not starting, it usually will stay engauged, which is normal. Lubricating the shaft while you're at it is a good idea also.

 

[BrettUmd]

Re: Starter keeps turning even when key is in off position

I replaced the solenoid and it completly solved the problem... a nice simple repair... took maybe an hour.