Force Bendix Disengaging

[kwk]

I have a 1989 Force 125 HP. Often, mostly when starting cold, the starter motor bendix will disengage after only a few seconds and stop cranking the flywheel. Eventually it will start, but sometimes it takes MANY trys before it will crank long enough to catch. Any ideas what causes this?

 

[manowar]

Re: Force Bendix Disengaging

right now without any particulars about your motor do you choke when cold and is your battery fully charged also you should prime your know the bulb should be hard you already know that and maybe give it some gas in neutral then set it back to idle these are all steps prior to starting i have a force 120 you should also see what is up to electrically

 

[fishthebay]

Re: Force Bendix Disengaging

Same problem with my 85HP force.<br /><br />Make sure you have a 100% charged battery with clean tight terminal connections. <br /><br />This should be the culprit.

 

[trollhole]

Re: Force Bendix Disengaging

Are you saying that when you first try to start it the starter will engage for a short period of time and then stops engaging? Like it is just spinning on the shaft and won't come in contact with the fly wheel? If this is the case I know a solution to your problem.

 

[kwk]

Re: Force Bendix Disengaging

Trollhole,<br /><br />When I turn the key, the starter will turn the flywheel for 2-3 seconds, but then disengage and drop down before the engine has started. I'm not sure if the starter is still powered after it drops down, but I do hear kind of an electric humming sound if I keep the key turned. I will repeat this process many times until the engine finally starts.

 

[DJ]

Re: Force Bendix Disengaging

kwk,<br /><br />Usually a weak battery or poor coonections will cause this symptom.

 

[Deerdog]

Re: Force Bendix Disengaging

I had a similar problem years ago on my 150 Force. The problem was indeed a weak battery. <br /><br />Deerdog

 

[kwk]

Re: Force Bendix Disengaging

I have a dual battery system and normally start and run with the selector switch set to the combined position. Does this problem indicate that BOTH batteries are weak?