77 johnson starter problem

[Jrock 5877]

the starter on my 1977 55hp johnson isnt working properly. When you turn the key the gear goes up to the flywheel as it should then nothing happens except for a grinding noise. I think the shaft is turning inside the gears and not making them turn the flywheel. Any ideas?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 77 johnson starter problem

check for burrs on the gears, also

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