75 Hp starting problem

[Eastexn]

I have a 2006 75HP, four stroke engine that seems to have a bad starter motor. About half of the time when I activate the starter switch the starter engages the flywheel and tries to turn the engine over but it seems it just does not have enough power. Usually, after several attempts it will finally spin the engine and start.

Many times it will just bog down and not spin the flywheel. When it does this I notice the voltmeter shows the V dropping to almost nothing. All battery and wiring connections cleaN; new battery; changed the battery.

Any ideas appreciated. This engine is in mint condition with very low hours.

 

[sxmerc]

Re: 75 Hp starting problem

I suspect you have a bad battery connection somewhere, or a bad cable. Hold the key, and after e few seconds, feel the battery cables coming off of the battery. If either is warm or hot, you got connection, or an actual cable issue. This is not to say your starter is not failing, more of a starting point. ALWAYS start with the basics.

 

[Eastexn]

Re: 75 Hp starting problem

Connections were my first thought. Checked all of them twice. The battery cables do get warm when the starter engages but lugs down, for seemingly lack of power.

When this happens, even when the engine is spinning slowly, it fails to start, as I suspect the voltage is down too low for the electronic ignition to fire. When the starter spins the engine freely it fires instantly.

I suspected a bad battery cell, but changing the battery out for a new HD marine did not help the problem.

Resting V of the battery is 12.65V, and V under starter load when the problem is not present is 11V.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Blevins]

Re: 75 Hp starting problem

Then your next stop is starter. The coil could be bad. Is the starter popping first time everytime to contact the flywheel? If not you could try spraying some WD-40 on it and let it soak. and by soak i mean hours because wd-40 is a pentrating oil thats what it does.

 

[Eastexn]

Re: 75 Hp starting problem

Yes, it is engaging the bendix every time, but about half of the time it doesn't have enough power to spin the engine. It will usually turn it over but not spin it.

In essence it appears to be pulling a bunch of Amps, but not doing much work.

 

[sxmerc]

Re: 75 Hp starting problem

What is the battery voltage at the starter while cranking? You could also do a voltage drop test at the starter to be sure there is no voltage or amperage loss between the starter and the battery. The problem is more than likely the starter, but it can't hurt to cover all your bases before you go get a starter.