Starter Motor - Bendix engages (most times) but wont turn flywheel

[scb2377]

Hi All, I have not started the motor for over a year...

When I try to start the motor, the starter will turn and the bendix will travel (not always, about one out of three tries only) all the way up and engage the flywheel... it does not however have the power to properly turn the wheel, it gives it like half a spin or so and nothing ... the starter just doesn't seem to have the power. I can turn the flywheel by hand, not easy but it turns. Either way, the bendix should always travel up (there is no rust or anything to slow it or stop it from traveling up, it moves freely by hand)

I checked cable and battery, cleaned them properly, I even attached the battery charger in start mode. Connection to solenoid is also clean...

What could it be? Is the starter weak and how do I fix that?

If I want to remove the starter, whats the easiest way? Remove the fly wheel to pull it up?

Thanks for your help. Chris
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[dchris]

Re: Starter Motor - Bendix engages (most times) but wont turn flywheel

I had a similar one not long ago. My battery was weak. It would measure 12v with no load and dropped to 6-7v when trying to start. It would spin enough to more up the shaft but not turn the frywheel. As luck would have it, after I replaced the battery, the bendix went bad and kept slipping. My model had to have the carb loosened to get the starter off. Removing the flywheel sounds like a lot to get a starter loose.