1989 Johnson 225 Starter Bendix Early Disengagement

[gsutton]

1989 Johnson does not start when cold. We use the pump bulb, key on, prime 8 seconds, start method. We have had a mechanic out to check compression, spark, fuel, timing etc. and still have trouble starting cold. Once running it will start on a single turn.

The starter only stays engaged for a couple of seconds and then the bendix disengages. I have been told it may be one cylinder with less compression causing this. Either way, I believe it would start if the starter would stay engaged longer. Any tricks or advice?

 

[gsyfishy]

Re: 1989 Johnson 225 Starter Bendix Early Disengagement

How is the spring on the starter? I've seen the springs get depressed (not mentally) and will not stay engaged to the flywheel. If it is, you can try and seperate it and see if that helps.

 

[Vic.S]

Re: 1989 Johnson 225 Starter Bendix Early Disengagement

The spring does not hold the Bendix gear in engagement with the flywheel. Its above it and is compressed when the Bendix engages.

It is falling out of engagement due to poor battery, bad connections somewhere between battery and starter (Including the negative connections), bad solenoid contacts, possibly bad starter brushes/ dirty commutator or because the engine is firing on one or more cylinders but not then picking up on all.

Before TD says it "the large majority of starting troubles are due to bad electrical connections"

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1989 Johnson 225 Starter Bendix Early Disengagement

thanks, Vic. also the bendix kicks out when the flywheel moves faster than the bendix. the motor trying to start. it really sounds like you need to do a preventive maintainance tune up. what is your compression on all cylinders? have you check spark on all cylinders? when were you carbs last cleaned, and rebuilt? i may not be a starter problem at all.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1989 Johnson 225 Starter Bendix Early Disengagement

just for kicks!!
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

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1989 Johnson 225 Starter Bendix Early Disengagement

thanks, Vic. also the bendix kicks out when the flywheel moves faster than the bendix. the motor trying to start. it really sounds like you need to do a preventive maintainance tune up. what is your compression on all cylinders? have you check spark on all cylinders? when were you carbs last cleaned, and rebuilt? i may not be a starter problem at all.

Completely agree with the above. That is what a bendix is designed to do. Your motor may well be ready to start but due to a fuel / spark issue that shows up more when cold it simply can not start and keep running.

 

[gsutton]

Re: 1989 Johnson 225 Starter Bendix Early Disengagement

Thanks guys. I will clean all of the connections and check the cables out. I will also bypass the battery selector switch that we don't use anymore to limit connections. I will report back.