HELP WITH A 1989 EVINRUDE 155hp SLOW CRANKING

mav6759

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 25, 2007
Messages
489
I have a 1989 Evinrude 155hp, about a month ago I took the boat to have the compression check the motor spent fine no problems and compression was great on all cylinders. So I had no problems with the motor spinning over. I took the motor to another guy to have lower unit seals put in. I got the boat back and tried to start the motor, I'm getting a slow start with the starter, the motor is spinning over but it is loping over and not spinning fast, (all batteries are of 12v) I notice that the negative battery cable was getting very hot, as i tried to start the motor. So I by passed the all the batteries and connected jumper cables the stater and it spins fine no problems off the motor. but on the motor, I'm getting this loping start and very hot cables, I order a new starter thinking it was a starter issue, but I'm having the same issue. What would make the negative battery cable get so hot that the cable is smoking. Any help would be great to get this boat on the water.
 

emdsapmgr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 9, 2005
Messages
11,551
To test the starter's cranking potential, jump it direct with a set of automotive jumper cables to a known strong battery. If it cranks the engine over rapidly, it's probably ok. Next, check the start solenoid. The internal contacts can get burned over the years. When the contact tips get burnt, they won't transfer current properly and that manifests itself in a seeming bad starter. Try replacing the solenoid. Could even be the problem with the negative cable. A hot starter cable is not good. Check the end terminals to be sure they are crimped properly, clean and that none of the wire ends have broken off short of the terminals.
 

mav6759

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 25, 2007
Messages
489
I decided to replace both cables leading to the starter and the ground. I'm not having the hot wire issue anymore, not the starter just spins. I just had the starter rebuilt about 2 months ago, and it started the motor and everything was fine. 2 months later the starter is just spinning. Ok, so i went out got a new starter, and that starter did the same-thing. Now off the bout the the bendix is working on the the boat it just spins. But let me ask this, where should the ground cable be grounded too.
 
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