Starter: Bendix rises won't spin

[Coachjfk]

First trip out on lake this year... I know that's not nearly enough. Boat started in driveway and at dock great and several times throughout the day.

About an hour before sundown, tried to start boat, Bendix gear rises to engage with flywheel, stops and falls. Starter not really spinning, flywheel not spinning at all. Repeated several 5-10 times.

Cleaned all connections and retightened. Voltmeter reads 12.57v. Green light on battery indicates good charge as if mocking me. Tried with same symptoms 3-4 times no success. Waited 5-10 minutes said a little prayer and it started normally.

Ran flawlessly next day for wakeboarding. Starting every time.

Same thing happened once last year too. Johnson OE repair troubleshooting checklist points to worn brushes. So does Clymer.

Bosch starter on 76 115hp Johnson outboard.

Replacement of brushes and springs looks pretty straightforward.

Thoughts, experience, guidance.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Starter: Bendix rises won't spin

It is likely. If all the connections are clean and tight, battery is fully charged AND load tested (which you may want to do even though it is fully charged), and you are getting 12 volts at the starter when trying to engage, it may need to be rebuilt. Do not overlook the ground connection at the motor from the battery. This connection is a usual suspect, remove it, polish it to a shine, then re tighten. We would be able to troubleshoot it better with some voltmeter readings when she wont fire though.

I would probably do a voltage drop test on all the wiring and connections to easily see if there is resistance anywhere. Some of the wiring may be corroding from the inside out where you cannot see it. Let us know if you need help with this. Its easy and only takes minutes.

 

[Coachjfk]

Re: Starter: Bendix rises won't spin

Thanks for the reply High Trim.

Unfortunately, my boat sits about 120 miles from my house. We only get to use her when we can break away for a weekend or a bit longer when lucky. It will probably be a couple more weeks before I get back up to the mountains.

12.57 v was the reading of the battery when the boat wouldn't start using my handheld DVM. Can I do a voltage drop test with a DVM? What is the procedure? You indicate that it is easy and takes minutes.

Next time up, I'll bring contact cleaner and dielectric grease for all connections before going out on the lake. Last time, I just cleaned at battery end and made sure all at motor end were tight.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Starter: Bendix rises won't spin

First set your DVM to the 20 Volt scale

Put your POS voltmeter lead on the battery POS terminal and the voltmeter NEG lead on the large incoming solenoid/battery terminal post and give her juice. If the meter reads more than .3 volts, the battery cable is bad, corroded or you have a faulty connection (loose).

Next, connect the POS lead to the incoming large solenoid post and the NEG lead to the outgoing large solenoid post while giving her juice. If the voltmeter reads greater than .2 volts, the solenoid is bad, corroded or has a faulty connection.

Next, connect the POS lead to the outgoing large solenoid post and the negative voltmeter lead to the starter positive post and give her juice. A reading of over .2 volts indicates faulty wiring between the solenoid and the starter.

Finally, connect the NEG lead to the NEG battery post and the POS lead to the engine block and crank the engine. A reading greater than .3 volts indicates a faulty negative cable, corrosion or a faulty connection.

 

[Coachjfk]

Re: Starter: Bendix rises won't spin

Hi Trim,

Thanks for that. Clear easy steps along with diagnostics. What could be better.

Next week when I'm back at the lake, I'll give it a try.