Starter motor stops rotating

[Kesh]

Hi guys,<br />We are having some troubles to start our Evinrude 225 when it is "cold" (after 1 day or more not in use)...Let me try to picture the scene: We turn the key, the starter motor rotates, no ignition....we try again, the starter motor rotates, no ignition...we try again, and the the starter motor stops rotating!!!....similar to a car when batery is weak or "automatic" contactor fails... Dunno how to explain...we try and try, and suddenly the starter motor rotates again and the engine starts.... Further ignition is easy, I mean, there is no problem after the engine has been running for a whle... it seems to happen only when motor is cold...<br /><br />¿any suggestions for troubleshooting? I have to say that carburetors have been serviced, spark plugs changed....we still have the vro pending to be changed...there is a lot of smoke when the engine starts-.--<br /><br />Kesh<br />Puerto La Cruz, Venezuel***

 

[ob]

Re: Starter motor stops rotating

Kesh,Check to insure all engine grounds are clean and tight.Same with posts on battery terminals.If no luck ,check to see that the battery voltage doesn't drop below 9 1/2 volts while cranking.Good luck.

 

[Kesh]

Re: Starter motor stops rotating

Ok OB, I will check grounds and voltage drop.<br /><br />I immagine that engine should never stop cranking while I keep the key in starting position, even if it does not actually starts... am I right ? (like in a car when there is a fuel or spark related problem...you can continue trying to start, of course until battery dies!).... The problem here is that the starter motor stops rotating after a few attemps!!!<br /><br />Kesh<br />Puerto La Cruz<br />Venezuel***

 

[ob]

Re: Starter motor stops rotating

If you got good connections and strong battery,yes it should crank for some time.Bare in mind that it is not good for starter motor or battery to crank for extended periods if engine won't start.If you suspect weak battery have it charged and or load tested.

 

[ajp]

Re: Starter motor stops rotating

Check every inch of you battery cables. Loose connections at the end or breaks in the covering will allow corrosion and even with a strong battery the starter will be slow to start or slow while cranking.

 

[Kesh]

Re: Starter motor stops rotating

Ok, this morning I cleaned completely all the terminal connectors on both batteries. I made a deep cleaning (dissasembling all terminals, cleaning, sand paper to clean all contact surfaces). After assembling again, I applied a spray for battery terminals protection against corrosion. <br /><br />I haven't tested the voltage drop ( I forgot it !!!) but started the engine, and after few cranking it started OK. Feels much better than before. Thank you guys !!!! I will make the voltage drop test maybe tonite or tomorrow.<br /><br />There was a lot of grease on the terminals...I cleaned it completely....I think it is better to use the spray regularly, and it is easier for regular maintenance....<br /><br />Some additional questions:<br />---------------------------<br />-Any advice to make it start faster ? any suggestions to check sparks ?<br />- Should I check additional terminals inside the engine cover ?<br />-is it necessary to check master swicht contacts on a regular basis ? should I disasembly it ?

 

[ob]

Re: Starter motor stops rotating

Kesh, For advice on best cold startup procedure post the year model of motor and style of controls.Binacle,sidemount.Some controls are automatic quickstart and others have a fast idle lever.Both should have push function for prime solenoid.

 

[72 mako 19]

Re: Starter motor stops rotating

kesh, what kind of connection do you have from battery?, is it the crimpped or the screw down type?, get rid of the crimpped battery connector as it loosens up after a while, replace it with screw down connection. <br /><br />just a thought, ever thought about a solar panel?, since i had it, battery never went dead and below 12 volts even after 2 weeks of non-use. i only use solar panel whenever i am not using boat. and my batteries are 3 years plus, used to die out when i am not using boat.

 

[almost retired again]

Re: Starter motor stops rotating

Hi Kesh,<br />You could also have a starter solenoid going bad. There is a round contacter inside of this solenoid that tends to rotate each time the solenoid is operated. Sometimes this contacter will come across a pitted spot and not make a good contact causing the starter to not to turn. Also after all of the cleaning that you did on the battery, don't forget that there is the ground connection to the engine block, and the positive connection on the starter solenoid all this under the hood.<br />Good Luck

 

[Kesh]

Re: Starter motor stops rotating

We have an Evinrude 225 HP, 1994. Control is just one lever in center console. There is a button on the lever for neutral acceleration. The starter switch has a push function for priming....I dont know how to test if it is working or not...I push it and count to 8 before cold starting...dunno if I had to keep it pressed while I turn the key and make the engine crank, or should I just press it before, then release, then start...ah, I also press the primer bulb until hard before cold starts.....<br /><br />Battery terminals use screws to a) hold the cable, b) grip around the battery terminal as a clamp.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Starter motor stops rotating

Yes. Hold the primer in while you crank and for a little while after it starts. Push back in if the engine starts to die until it warms up a little. The primer only works while the engine is turning over. Hope this helps.

 

[Ryans Toy]

Re: Starter motor stops rotating

I think almost retired is one the right track just my 2 cents

 

[ob]

Re: Starter motor stops rotating

Kesh, Sounds like a single binacle control.Your pumping of primer bulb until firm is correct.Should be no need to fast idle that motor by pushing button on controls as it should have quickstart feature for cold starts.After pumping bulb until firm turn key while pushing in on start button until engine fires.After engine starts you may have to intermitedly push in primer button a few times(don't hold it in)until engine settles to idle.If quickstart feature is working properly it should hold rpms to around 1100 or so and after several seconds drop rpms back to around 900.If your motor smokes excessively on startup,check to insure their are no leaks on fuel line fittings coming to or from VRO pump.Some smoke will be normal on cold startup of two stroke motors depending amount of fuel that has evaporated from carbs.It leaves oil residual behind and when primed results in slightly rich oil mix on initial startup.Also some Vro pumps have been known to develop fracture between oil and fuel half resulting in smoky startup conditions as well.Mine was one example.