How to tell if I got a bad starter

[Grassman619]

I have an 1983 Johnson 35 hp motor

I took my boat out and it ran and started up fine we fished for 3 hours it had a little trobble starting up had to trun the key like six times befor it got running

Got to dock and it just cut out like no fuel or something went to start it back up and slowley after each turn if the key it got worse and the starter wouldent even spen. the battery was still charged with12.68 volts


I got it home and when I turn the key the silonid would click I used a battery charger to test starter and put the pos to the starter positive and the neg to top part or starter body and nothing


Could it be the starter or the silanoid or a different problem thanks for any help and advice

 

[Al-53]

Re: How to tell if I got a bad starter

A battery charger will not work for testing a starter..you need a fully charged battery....

first thing is to clean all the connections..from the battery to the starter....take them off and shine them up with a scotch pad...clean the grounds also...

next thing is to verify the battery is good...get it load tested at most auto parts places....just cause its charges does not mean its good..it has to hold a charge under load...and not drop off fast....


to test the starter...use a good charged battery the way you used the charger...if it spins up you have bad connections......

the clicking solenoid is a indicator of a weak battery or bad connection...

Al

 

[Grassman619]

Re: How to tell if I got a bad starter

Ok I tested the battery yes it did fail just bough a brand new inerstate and cleaned all the conections the silanoid sounds like it's clicking louder but still nothing from the starter

I'm purty sure it's the starter now but just what to here any other steps to take cause a new stater is like 250 new 150 used and would. Apresheate any help thanks for ur time AL

also I don't think it's the nutral saftey switch cause in gear it dosent click it only clicks in nutral so I'm guessing it's still good

Maybe can it be the silanoid ?? Idk I'm really stuck and fried my brain

Thanks again

 

[Daviet]

Re: How to tell if I got a bad starter

Take a volt meter or test light and attach it to the stud on the stater, turn the key to start and listen for the click. When it clicks the test light should light or volt meter should show battery voltage.
If no voltage at starter stud, in is most likely the solenoid or battery cable going to the starter. Move your test light to the output side of the solenoid and recheck for voltage.

 

[Grassman619]

Re: How to tell if I got a bad starter

Ok I used my volt meter to check the starter stud and yes there us voltage 12.58 v. And at the pos + silanoid post and 12.58 at the silanoid post going to the starter when the key is on

so dose that mean it's just a tottaly dead starter that won't turn or a silanoid

I even used my power probe to put 12 v stright to the starter AND nothing

this sucks


That do u think. ????? Thanks for all the help

 

[Daviet]

Re: How to tell if I got a bad starter

If you have battery voltage at the stud on the starter and it woun't spin over, you have a defective starter. Remove it and open it up and see what's wrong.

 

[Grassman619]

Re: How to tell if I got a bad starter

Ok and do u think they seal like a stater rebuild kit or do I just see If anything is bad

 

[Daviet]

Re: How to tell if I got a bad starter

You can buy some replacement parts, but if there is major damage you will most likely need another starter, either reman or new.

 

[Al-53]

Re: How to tell if I got a bad starter

starters are easy to rebuild...as long as the commutator is not burn and pitted bad or the windings have not over heated and delaminated....and burned....

also the end cap bearing bushing is good or the top bearing bushing is good and not sloppy on the shaft.....

when I do a rebuild I buy the whole end cap..it includes the cap bearing bushing..brushes and brush holder its all assembled...you just need to make a simple tool to hold the brushes down..I use a plastic putty knife and I cut the slot in it for the shaft....

if the starter is good and just need brushes...try this place....he is good....


http://www.springhillautoelectric.com/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=136

ships fast and his parts are quality....the end cap alone from OmC is 84.00



Al

 

[Grassman619]

Re: How to tell if I got a bad starter

Ok good news took it apart and 2 of the 4 little spring loaded contacts were stuck down i cleaned up the points and the armature there was a little surface rust bult up so I lightly sanded it up

I put it back together and it spens now but it dosent pop it what dose that mean Also I think it speens backward

Oh and I haven't instaled it yet I used the battery charger to test it on the floor pos on the terminal and the neg to the body The charger puts 12.45 volts

thanks for the help again

 

[Al-53]

Re: How to tell if I got a bad starter

the charger may not have enough current to spin it to the desired rpm to raise the bendix..try with a fully charged battery....

also did you spray the bendix shaft with a cleaner like electrical cleaner and add 1-2 drops of 3-1 oil....now that its out spray it good while upside down so the gunk on the shaft drips towards the floor and not back into the shaft bearing....oil it and then test with a BATTERY

Al

 

[Grassman619]

Re: How to tell if I got a bad starter

Hey thanks a bunch guys yeah AL I ordered the end cap and The starter drive but I couldent find the spring or a new armature I'm guessing I just need to clean that part and that the spring is still good but I just want to know what a starter rebuild consist of


Oh yeah and I took the starter to work it pops up good and seems to be fine now but I just got to wait for n?w parts

thanks for everything