Starter

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Starter

. Voltage flow through the solenoid is normal when shut off? Starter will stay engaged if this is the case.

When he put the test leads on the solenoid terminals the solenoid contact was open. One contact always has + battery voltage on it, the other one was grounded through the starter motor - that's why you see the full battery voltage. Current can't flow until the solenoid contact closes. (A nit-pick - Voltage doesn't flow, current flows. ) Trust me, I'm a EE and work on industrial controls, contactors, and motors daily.

So if the battery is at 12.6 volts and the volt drop test checks out ok, then what else could be the problem.

A fully charged battery ought to be more like 12.8 volts, maybe a little more if the engine's been running. When's the last time you charged it? What I'm wondering is if the charging system on the engine isn't working. Does your tach sometimes get erratic at certain speeds?

 

[yorab]

Re: Starter

Is it the proper starter? Does the bendix mechanism fully extend/retract EVERY time?

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Starter

Is it the proper starter? Does the bendix mechanism fully extend/retract EVERY time?

Good catch.

 

[bonelessi]

Re: Starter

OK this is just a shot in the dark here but if your getting voltage at the terminal on the starter (I don't know 11 volts or so while cranking if I remember correctly?) you might have to look inside the starter. I recently had a similar problem on an older motor where it wouldn't spin up fast enough for the gear on the starter motor to hit the flywheel. Turned out one wires on the brushes was loose. Soldered it up tight and cleaned it up a bit and it fired right up.

Just a thought.

Dan

 

[Therman]

Re: Starter

Im not sure if its the proper starter. I went to marineengines.com, typed in my model number, and got the part number. I also searched online to see if the part number was correct and it seemed to be, so i got it off ebay brand new. The bendix does not fully extend and retract every time but couldn't that be because theres not enough voltage to the starter.

 

[geoffwga1]

Re: Starter

Had a similar problem on the motor I was working on today,actually spun the motor (57 big twin) about one time in six.Went through all the cable connections ,voltage drop,battery thing ,still no improvement so I pulled the starter,stripped it cleaned up the commutator and brushes..ergo,problem solved. They do get pretty gunky inside after a few years.Yours obviously is not so old and probably not home to a family of wasps But I would try it just the same.
Geoffwga1

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Starter

The bendix does not fully extend and retract every time but couldn't that be because theres not enough voltage to the starter.

You need to smear a SMALL amount of light grease on the bendix shaft.

They do get pretty gunky inside after a few years.Yours obviously is not so old and probably not home to a family of wasps But I would try it just the same.

I'm guessing that's not the issue since it's a new starter, BUT you bring up a good point. A few people say to use a few drops of a light oil on the bendix, well apparently that oil makes it's way down to the brushes and gunks them up as you have seen.

 

[Therman]

Re: Starter

Ok, so when everything cools down the starter works perfectly and turns the engine over. But after a few starts the starter heats up and the goes back to barly turning the flywheel. Anyone have any ideas and is the starter supost to get hot at all.