starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

[melvino]

I have a 1974 Johnson 50hp outboard which I tried starting for the first time this season. It seems when I try turning it over the starter engages, but does not rise up the inch to spin the flywheel to start the engine. Is this an easy fix? How much am looking at if I need to bring it to a mechanic? I hope this isnt a big deal as I just want to get on the water. It's my first summer being a boat owner. Thanks to anyone who is able to help with this issue!

Captain Melvino

 

[DJ]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

Three things to check and do.

1. Unhook the battery. Remove the negative battery terminal from the engine block and clean.

2. With battery disconnected, walk the starter drive gear up the starter shaft with your fingers. You can do this by turning it the opposite way of rotation. While up, lubricate the shaft with a light grease.

3. Hook the battery back up.

 

[melvino]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

Thanks DJ!! I will try that tomorrow!

 

[71Windsor]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

Mine does this every year from sitting. I picked up a can of White Lithium Aerosol Grease walk it up and spray it Ill repeat this process frequently through out the season and it will not be an issue until the following year.

 

[whatshisname]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

I had this problem last fall and thought the starter was bad .... long story short the battery was weak..... starter would spin but not engage new cables, some cussin, and last resort pulled a known good battery out of a truck and "presto"..

 

[melvino]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

Thanks guys! I didn't have a chance to try these fixes but as soon as I do I will let you know the results!

 

[melvino]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

Well I have tried all the above ideas, and still no luck. She spins, but wont pop up. Thanks for all the tips, I guess it's time to find a mechanic!

 

[fireman57]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

I would take it to a local shop and let them rebuild it. Far cheaper than a new one and if your battery if definitely fully charged it should take care of the problem

 

[melvino]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

I found a guy who has a shop out of his house (farm). He is super cheap so I got lucky! Those big shops want soooo much money!!

 

[71Windsor]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

You wouldn't have a resolution with out first going through the process of elimination. Some time you get lucky but it is nice to rule all possibilities out before jumping over the side!

 

[Fed]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

My money is still on a low battery, a loose connection or a sticky bendix.
Pulling the starter for a rebuild may inadvertantly fix it but I'd be putting a volt meter on it first and if that's good then make sure the bendix is silky smooth.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

+1 on the bad battery and loose connections.

Use a fresh battery out of a car and a set of jumper cables. Manually jump the starter and see what happens. I bet it engages. The OMC battery cables running from the battery to the motor are notorious for getting internal corrosion. When the boat is rigged the rigger will split the cable with a box cutter or worse pull the cables apart. This will always create a hole in the insulation where a little water and time will ruin the wires. To check for internal corrosion bend the wires, if they crackle or have hard spots or bumps inside the insulation they are bad.

Keep us posted

Rich

 

[hobiecat]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

Step 1. make sure that all connections are tight and free of corrosion

Step 2. check the battery out... take it somewhere and have it tested.

Step 3. check the battery cables out.


If all of those check out, it is more than likely the starter it's self.

 

[melvino]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

Well, I guess we were all wrong! Here?s the story?.I brought the boat to a local mechanic that was recommended to me. I dropped off the boat, explained the problem and headed on my way. About ten minutes later I get a call on my cell phone, ?hey this is randy, I just looked over your boat and your starter is fine. You had the battery hooked up backwards.? I was soooo embarrassed I told him to keep the boat and do a tune up for me. I would have never thought that hooking up the battery backwards would produce those kinds of results. I am not a complete idiot, but also not an extremely intelligent person when it comes to this stuff. It just didn?t make sense to me that the battery could be hooked up wrong and it would actually spin the starter!! If I put the batteries in my TV?s remote control backwards, it doesn?t work!! Anyways, thanks for the help and troubleshooting. Even though I feel like an idiot, I wanted to share my results.

Captain (not mechanic) Melvino

 

[JWhit]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

FYI, sometimes it helps to tap the starter a little with a hammer after lubrication to help it rise, mine was stuck spinning and after a few taps worked great.

 

[mikesea]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

You will beone lucky guy if you didnt blow your electrical components,it usually only takes a second.So if your mechanic tells you you have other problems,believe him.Just want to caution you.Good Luck

 

[6hpboat]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

Someone told me once to never plug battery post backwards or you short system.

Could this be true or guy didn't know what he was talking about?

 

[6hpboat]

Re: starter not engaging flywheel on 74 50hp Johnson

Guy above me posted same issue.

O well good luck.