1988 Johnson 70 hp VRO Starter wont engage

[Thinblueline50]

I just bought a boat with a 1988 Johnson 70 hp VRO 3 cyl. I have a good battery and when I tried to turn it over, the starter would spin but would not engage the flywheel. I manually pushed the gear up to engage the flywheel and it would barely turn the flywheel. I hand turned the flywheel and it appeared to turn fairly easily. I thought it was the starter so I got a new starter and it does the same thing. It seems to me that the starter is not getting enough power to allow it to fully engage but I do not know what controls that (solenoid?). Please Help!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1988 Johnson VRO Starter wont engage

Re: 1988 Johnson VRO Starter wont engage

either bad cables, or dirty connections, motor end as well as battery.

90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one.

also have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, free, i've had new batteries go bad

 

[Thinblueline50]

Re: 1988 Johnson 70 hp VRO Starter wont engage

Ok, I jumped the starter and it engaged but turned the flywheel fairly slowly. I checked all the connections on the starter and the solenoid and all of them were clean. There were no nicks or cuts. I guess I'll take my battery in and have it checked. If it is good, then what might be the problem. The starter is new!

 

[krogie]

Re: 1988 Johnson 70 hp VRO Starter wont engage

sound like the battery is bad, only way to tell is with a load test. they will perform that at your auto parts dealer for ya. it may read 12-13 volt with a multi meter but unless aload is applied you just cant tell. if your battery ends up o.k we will go from there. good luck!!

 

[Thinblueline50]

Re: 1988 Johnson 70 hp VRO Starter wont engage

Ok, checked the battery at Auto Zone and it checked good. It passed all the load tests. All the terminal connections and wires are good. Sounds to me the only thing it could be is the solenoid. Am I correct? Heck they're only about $25 - $30 anyway.

 

[Thinblueline50]

Re: 1988 Johnson 70 hp VRO Starter wont engage

1988 Johnson 70ELCC. Ok, Here is my problem. The starter and solenoid are new. Battery is fully charged (fairly new). All battery, solenoid, starter connections are good. The bendix gear still will not fully engage the flywheel. I can jump straight from battery to starter and it engages the flywheel. Is there a problem in the ignition switch? I have not tested the resistance in the wiring because I'm not sure how. If anyone has a wiring diagram that would be great. Thanks.