Starter Issues?

[jetskier16]

So i bought a 1967 runabout with the original 1967 Evinrude 80 hp OB. Decided to try and start it today. the PO said it ran but needed to have the carbs clean.

We used the new battery out of my truck to try and start it(electric start). But we didnt have any luck. Just made a loud clicking sound near or from the starter.

I have a lot more experience with jet ski motors and when the starter on my 750sx went out it made the same noise.

Basically i just wanted to make sure my problem is with the starter before i buy a new one.

Also, one time when we were trying to start it the fly wheel did start to turn, very weakly though then stopped.

Here is a link to some videos of us trying to start it with the sound it was making:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr_LkybQDQE

Thanks!

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Starter Issues?

Probably 95% of all starter problems is electrical. Is the battery fully charged? Check all your connections. They must be very clean and tight. Check the lugs very closely for any signs of corrosion. They can corrode inside where you can't see it and cause the problem you are having. If you know how to do a voltage drop test you could check them that way. Another way would be to temporally substitute the cables with jumper cables. If all the cables have been confirmed good, try jumping the starter solenoid. Just because it clicks does NOT mean its good. If you are sure the solenoid is good have your battery load tested, regardless of age. This brings you to the starter itself. Remove it and have it tested by your local auto electric shop. They can rebuild it for you if needed and save you some money. Let us know how you make out.

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Starter Issues?

Another quick test is to tap the starter body lightly with a wrench to see if one of the brushes is not making good contact; if the starter spins or engages; take it off and have it rebuilt at a shop or do it yourself.

 

[jetskier16]

Re: Starter Issues?

Probably 95% of all starter problems is electrical. Is the battery fully charged? Check all your connections. They must be very clean and tight. Check the lugs very closely for any signs of corrosion. They can corrode inside where you can't see it and cause the problem you are having. If you know how to do a voltage drop test you could check them that way. Another way would be to temporally substitute the cables with jumper cables. If all the cables have been confirmed good, try jumping the starter solenoid. Just because it clicks does NOT mean its good. If you are sure the solenoid is good have your battery load tested, regardless of age. This brings you to the starter itself. Remove it and have it tested by your local auto electric shop. They can rebuild it for you if needed and save you some money. Let us know how you make out.

What do you mean by "jumping the starter solenoid"?

Thanks for the help!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Starter Issues?

basically hot wire.

 

[jetskier16]

Re: Starter Issues?

Thanks Tashasdaddy! I'm going to put new connectors on the battery leads and clean all my connections with a wire brush today, then go from there trying this.

 

[jetskier16]

Re: Starter Issues?

So i put new terminals on all the wires and the battery leads and cleaned every thing with a wire brush and a mini wire wheel on a dremel, and still no luck, just clicks. I then took a muli-meter and grounded it to the engine block and put the red lead to where the hot lead connects to the starter. Read 12volts. I then bypassed the starting relay and tried to directly connect the starter to the hot battery lead, still no luck.

So what you all think? Is there still something to try or is it a dud?

 

[JWhit]

Re: Starter Issues?

if connecting 12v straight to the starter and no luck, will need to take the starter apart for rebuild. usually not too bad of a job, just have some springs and brushes that need replacing and should be all set from there. may be able to re-stretch the springs and use as-is

 

[jetskier16]

Re: Starter Issues?

I know that you can have it done profesionaly, do you think an auto shop would rebuild an OB starter?

 

[jetskier16]

Re: Starter Issues?

So I took the starters out today. It was attached to the bendix by two long bolts that went up through the bottom of the starter.

I found on the starter "AutoLite MDW-4103-M12V" Then under that "S2"

The bottom and top plate come off pretty easily, so i don't know if this is bad or good.

I am probably going to take it down to Auto Zone to have it tested and to see if they can rebuild it if need be.

So what do you guys think?

I took some pictures and a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFE6NomfjGc

 

[jetskier16]

Re: Starter Issues?

So it turns out Auto Zone will only test car starters. I am pretty sure the starter is bad though because it did nothing when i bypassed the starting relay and connected the hot lead to the battery directly to the starter.

I am having a hell of a time finding a replacement but finally found this on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/John...6777911QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

What do you guys think?

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Starter Issues?

How badly worn are the brushes? You may just have to replace the brushes, a whole lot cheaper than a new starter and so easy even us cavemen can do it.

 

[jetskier16]

Re: Starter Issues?

I wouldnt even know what worn brushes would look like. What am a i looking for when i'm assessing it?

Are starter rebuild kits universal or do i need a specific one?

And so it is pretty easy to rebuild?

 

[jetskier16]

Re: Starter Issues?

Took it to a small starter repair shop today. The first thing he did was attach a hot lead and of course it started spinning. He said just becuse it worked here didnt mean it was going to work in the motor so he still has it and is going to take a look at it.

When i talked to him on the phone he said if he did rebuild it, it would be less than $100 so im glad about that, sort of.

 

[jetskier16]

Re: Starter Issues?

So I got the starter back today, $80 later. Looks like he did a good job. He said the inside was just really dirty and he had to resoilder everything and replace all the wires. He also painted it, which i wasn't expecting. Also he said it has a one year warranty. Overall I'm happy with it. Granted it was $80 more than I wanted to spend, but at least i have the peace of mind on the starter.

So for the rest of my 1967 80hp Speedifour Evinrude restor. check out my Runabout Renovation thread in my tag below.

Thanks