Starter can't crank outboard over..

[erikpn]

Middle of winter, so I decided to check up on my unreliable awful motor since it's been put away for 3 months. Tried to spin the flywheel by hand, and noticed it was much harder than before. I worked it loose eventually until I could turn it by hand. It's still noticeably harder than before though. But apparently, it's too much now because the starter won't crank it over when the spark plugs are in. It can crank it over with just one plug in, which let me get a compression test of 150/145 but not when both are in, it'll just turn slowly and jerkily. What do you think it is?

Before anyone suggests this:I already checked battery reading at 12.5V, connections are clean and tight.

Worn out starter?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

I had a similar problem earlier this year and I took the starter in for a rebuild. Mine would spin up the motor w/o plugs but not under load. It might be time for a starter rebuild

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

12.45 is 70% charged. Full charge is 12.65.

If you are saying the load on the motor has changed, don't think it is from the starter. There should be no resistance from the bendix. Get that battery fully charged and make sure all connections, especially the ground is good.

 

[erikpn]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

People just can't resist suggesting the obvious, no matter what I say I suppose. I will look at getting the starter rebuilt. I can pick up a used starter on eBay for $40, but would like to see if I can rebuild the starter myself if it's going to get junked anyways.

 

[JB]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

Have you jumped a fully charged battery to the starter hot post (+) and ground (-)??

Clean and tight appearing battery cable connections are notorious for causing good starters and solenoids to be replaced and/or rebuilt.

 

[erikpn]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

I did make sure to clean and tighten each connection prior to asking. I haven't jumped a battery directly to the starter, I can try that if you guys really want me to make triple extra sure it's not the battery or connections..

 

[texasabil]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

Yeah i'm with you triumphrick mine showed 12.4 i left the meter on there when i tried to crank it. it went down to 3 volts new batt. as mine had a bad cell and would not take a full charge!!!and it cranked right over!!

 

[texasabil]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

I also replaced my starter also!!!

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

Do the obvious.Take the starter apart.They get dirty from the carbon/brushes.
Take it apart.Clean all the contacts.Put the brushes in upside down.Or buy new.
Get the FACTORY stuff.The cheap stuff on e-bay is just that CHEAP!!!
Just cause the battery reads 12-13V dosen't mean it's good.
They need to be load tested.
Harbor freight has a cheap tester about $22.It works great and testing the right way is the only way.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

I agree with JJ05 A battery can show a charge and fall on it's face under a load. Load test the battery or try jumpstarting it off your car battery to see if it spins up faster. You can take your battery to any auto store and they will load test it for you for free.

 

[erikpn]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

Jumped a known working battery directly to the starter, same thing, hopefully everyone now accepts that it's not the battery or connections. I really wanted it to be a low battery or loose connections too, since that'd save me money but sadly it's just not the case. Am going to try to clean up and rebuild the starter, if anyone has helpful tips on that? If that doesn't work I'll buy a cheap used starter from somone parting out their outboard on ebay.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

You take it apart yet??Just get the rebuild kit.
If you decide to buy a starter they sell NEW starting about $50.
I wouldn't buy used unless you want the same trouble.They sell brush kits for about $13 on Flea bay.J

 

[EJ42955]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

Save yourself the waiting time, ordering online. Go to your local marine center, and get a rebuild kit or a rebuilt starter, if available. Otherwise, get a new one and you won't have to worry again, for a long time. You might even see if they can test your starter.

EJ

 

[erikpn]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

Yes. The brushes and commutator contacts look fine actually, the brushes that connect to the case ground are covered in soot at the ground though. I will clean those up. The armature drags a bit when trying to spin it by hand, don't know if that's normal or not.

The starter is obsolete, as are a lot of parts for these old outboards, and I can't find them locally. A new one is about 100 dollars online, but I don't know if this outboard is worth $100.

 

[erikpn]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

No change after cleaning the brushes and commutator contacts. The armature is in contact with the magnets a bit when they spin, I can feel it dragging anyways.. Could that be the problem? The outboard feels harder to turn over by hand now than it used to be..

 

[carholme]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

erikpn;

Sure sounds like you have a failed bearing. How much play do you have when moving the shaft from side to side? Do you have the engine and starter s/n/p/n/model numbers?

Gerry

 

[jason32038]

Re: Starter can't crank outboard over..

erik did you check the magnets in the starter when you had it apart to make sure there werent any broken or missing pieces?