96 150hp johnson ocean runner starter wont engage

[bianchij64]

I have a 96 150hp Johnson Ocean runner. I crancked it once and it went to turn over. Cranked it again and just hear the starter. It will not engage onto the flywheel. Looked under the flywheel cover and turned it over and it spins the small wheel but wont engage. Ideas? I wanted to take the flywheel cover off but cant get the round cap off the top. Please help. Thanks.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 96 150hp johnson ocean runner starter wont engage

A low battery or dirty cable connections cause most starter problems.

Make SURE that ALL cable connections, BOTH ends, are clean bright and tight. Also clean both ends of the short cable between the starter and the relay.

Make sure that the battery is fully charged.

Now try the starter and repost if you still have a problem.

 

[bianchij64]

Re: 96 150hp johnson ocean runner starter wont engage

Thank you for the reply, I will try that. When I turn the key the starter turns the small gear that the starters gear rides on but does not move the gear up to the flywheel. Would a weak battery do this? Ill still check the battery and all the connections. Thanks again.

 

[Nippissinger]

Re: 96 150hp johnson ocean runner starter wont engage

If you want to test the starter you can disconnect the cables from the onboard starter battery and connect them to booster cables and connect them to your vehicle. Make sure the ears are installed or that the motor has some kind of water source in case she starts on you.

The current is relatvely close to your needed volts to turn the starter...

This will eliminate the starter being faulty.
Then you can move on to the connections at your onboard battery.

Good Luck and Keep us Posted..

Nipper....

 

[bianchij64]

Re: 96 150hp johnson ocean runner starter wont engage

I will try, that. Thank you very much.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 96 150hp johnson ocean runner starter wont engage

the starter has to have a full charged battery, and good cables, clean connections. the bendix gear is driven up by centrifical force, the shaft spinning. 2-3 drops on a light oil, like 3 n 1 oil, on the shaft. bad cables and connections, cause resistance, reducing the power to starter.

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

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: 96 150hp johnson ocean runner starter wont engage

Had a simular problem. Was very slight corrosion on the bendix shaft. A low battery will have the same effect. Centrifurgal force drives the gear up the shaft to engage the flywheel. If the battery and cables arnt perfect there wont be enough oomph to get the gear to slide up. If there is corrosion on the shaft it wont go up either. Use some scothbrite pads on the bendix shaft and some very light oil - NOT WD40 or grease. It will be fine. (Check your wiring and connections first)

 

[bianchij64]

Re: 96 150hp johnson ocean runner starter wont engage

I bought a new battery today and tried that also, still just turns the small gears but does not lift it up to engage the flywheel. Checked the connections and they are all clean. Any other ideas or how do I know if the starter is bad? Thank you everyone for your help.

 

[Just Pluggin Along]

Re: 96 150hp johnson ocean runner starter wont engage

Hello everyone,

New to the site and a new boater.

I am having the same issue on the same motor but a 1995. I have twins and was able to start the port engine fine, does that eliminate the electrical concerns and point me more towards the Bendix theory?

Not trying to hijack this thread but having same problem!

Just Pluggin Along

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: 96 150hp johnson ocean runner starter wont engage

Electrical wiring to the Starboard motor could still be suspect as its essentially a seperate system from the port engine. (From the battery switch to the motor)

I had the same problem, twin engines, port works great starboard would spin the bendix without engaging it. Cleaned and lubed the bendix on the starboard side and it works great!

 

[FrankBama]

Re: 96 150hp johnson ocean runner starter wont engage

Hi all. I am having the same exact problem. My pendix makes it about half way up the shaft when connected to my car battery. A little background. I winterized the the boat in fall, but did not disconnect and charge the battery. Come a few weeks ago, I tried to start the motor out of storage after having charged the battery for a few hours but no luck. It was obvioulsy too week as all I got out of the starter were some clicking noises. This weekend I brought my battery to West Marine and the associate tests it and tells me it is 99% healthy? So I hook it up again to the motor and give it a try but no luck. The battery is obviously not strong enough. At this point I hook the motor up to my car battery and the starter is spinning nicely but the pendix is only making it half way up. I move the pendix up manually and it gets to the top freely with the only resistance coming from the spring. So I lube the shaft, with WD 40 just to be sure. (I read earlier that this is not what you want to use? Not sure why, if anyone could explain.) The starter and motor worked perfectly back in the fall when I winterized it. So my question are:
1. Could I have damaged the starter by trying to start it on a weak battery?
2. If all connections look clean, what else are my options?

Thanks in advance