Electric starting motor

[jgeddes]

I have an 86 Johnson 20HP that has a problem with the electric start. The starting motor turns at a good speed but the gear on the starter motor does not rise up and engage to start. The battery checks OK and I have tried bypassing the starter solenoid with no success. What would the likely cause for the lack of gear engagement?

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Electric starting motor

It may need a light coat of spray oil on the bendix screw thread that engages that gear. <br /><br />Also note many of those motors will not engage well if tried to satrt from a deep cycle or low voltage cranking battery.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Electric starting motor

is it possible that you reversed the battery cable leads by mistake?

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Electric starting motor

centrifugal force of the starter motor turning throws the gear up to engage the flywheel. Assuming the electricals are hooked up correctly and the starter is spinning fast, a good guess is that the gear is not moving freely on the shaft, as Yepblaze suggests. Clean the shaft, and use a light oil. Don't grease it.