1984 - Johnson 115 VRO - starter is not engaging the flywheel

[Woodbinekeith]

The battery is fully charged. Have got lights/power trim. When trying to start the motor, the starter is working, the brass cog on the top is rotating but it is not lifting up to engage the flywheel. The previous owner tells me he did have it running but the unit has been sitting with little use for the past 2/3 years. I have the manual but value the thoughts of forum members who have been there/done that. Any ideas about what I should try next would be appreciated.

 

[schematic]

be sure the battery isn't connected or recharged in reverse polarity.

 

[mfkadz]

Can you spin the cog to have it rise up the shaft to the flywheel? If it's not moving nicely you might drop some lubricant at the top of the shaft. Mine was having intermittent issues engaging. I found the cog was not moving smoothly up and down the shaft.

mike

 

[Woodbinekeith]

Battery is connected right and was charged in right direction before trying to start it.

 

[Woodbinekeith]

The cog does rotate nicely by hand up and down the shaft to engage the flywheel. I thought about rotating it up so that it is engaging and the try the starter. Haven't done it though - not sure if that would be a good thing.

 

[schematic]

check the voltage at the stud on the starter motor WHILE cranking. Also, Looking from the top, the starter should rotate counter clockwise. Be sure it is. if not, either battery is connected wrong, or starter was reassembled wrong.

 

[henleyhale]

Id spin it to the flywheel and kick it off, the motor will kick it down, and you will then know if its getting enough power to the starter to turn the motor. If your brush cup is shot your starters motor shaft can be wobbly causing it to bind up top giving rise to this issue here. Lucky you a brush cup is only 35 bucks, and a nee top spindle is about the same. So if it kicks off replace top spindle of it doesnt verify grounds and battery voltage, then inspect the brush cup on the bottom. Starters are just about the easiest thing to fix on a boat, so dont fret.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Try jumping the starter from a known strong battery with a set of automotive cables. If it spins the engine normally, the starter is ok. Then look at replacing the starter solenoid. The solenoid contacts get burned with age and won't transfer current properly and can cause the problem you have.

 

[racerone]

I would take the starter apart for inspection.--These starters are easily damaged by prolonged cranking.---Costs nothing to inspect it if you have a digital ohmeter.----Sometimes boats / motors sit for years because of issues.----I would do a compression test with a rope before spending a $ on this motor.

 

[Woodbinekeith]

I used some WD 40 on the top/bottom of the bendix and let it work for about 20 minutes. I changed out the fully charged "inherited" battery for my own fully charged battery. Hooked up the water/muffs and put the key to start. Plan B was to do some hammer tapping on the starter, but I know this is only a short term fix.

The motor started and ran fine, even at slow idle. I let it run run for about four minutes and the telltale water was discharging fine. The motor stopped when the key was turned off but there was a slight bit of post ignition. Strange - the inherited battery had a 600 cold crank rating and my own had a 500 cold crank.

Next will be checking out the charging system before replacing the regulator/rectifier ($390) - perhaps it was the inherited battery that wasn't taking a charge and not the charging system. Fluid level was fine, I fully charged it, and cleaned the battery terminals/wire leads, yet it didn't deliver power enough to start the motor. I have no idea about the age of the inherited battery.

 

[schematic]

the old corrupt battery info trick! second time I been fooled by that this year! LOL

 

[racerone]

It is a mistake to hammer on that starter motor !!!----------The permanent magnets inside can shatter !

 

[mfkadz]

There's probably 12 v on the battery. Just no guts to back it up.

mike