Starter problem

[tmise]

I recently replaced the starter solenoid on V6 outboard. Started fine no problems. Today when I had it running and turned off the ignition switch the bendix was still rotating. I shut off power at the battery selector switch to shut it off. Now with the ignition switch off, when I turn the battery selector switch on the starter cranks the engine and the bendix stays engaged to the flywheel, it doesn't drop down like it should. Any help with this would be appreciated.

 

[archcycle]

Re: Starter problem

Spray some PB on the bendix, wait a minutes, and tap it from the top with a hammer then manually turn the flywheel clockwise and see if it drops. When they get some corrosion they tend to get stuck up or down. Or it may just still be up there because the power to everything stopped so abruptly and it didn't have the same centrifugal forces on it that it usually does.

If its engaging and cranking the motor when the key is off them your problem is in one of 3 places- the solenoid's guts, something arcing across the solenoid poles, or the keyswitch. Considering that you probably didn't touch the keyswitch when you did this then start with the solenoid.

Recheck your solenoid wiring. Could you have hooked it up wrong and when you started it the other day just didn't notice that it was still engaged?

edit: clarified

 

[boobie]

Re: Starter problem

Disconnect the yellow/red wire from the solenoid and see what happens. If it stops turning over you have a boat wiring prob. If not you have a bad solenoid.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Starter problem

Disconnect the yellow/red wire from the solenoid and see what happens. If it stops turning over you have a boat wiring prob. If not you have a bad solenoid.

+1 with bobbie said

 

[tmise]

Re: Starter problem

I replaced the solenoid about three weeks ago and have started the boat numerous times without any problems at all. No wires are mixed up as I connected the wires to the new one as I took them off the old one. Today I started and let motor idle just for a few seconds, turned it off at the key switch, that's when I heard the bendix spinning away. It wasn't engaging the flywheel, just spinning. I will try boobies idea tomorrow, I'm thinking the key switch may have gone bad.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Starter problem

I replaced the solenoid about three weeks ago and have started the boat numerous times without any problems at all. No wires are mixed up as I connected the wires to the new one as I took them off the old one. Today I started and let motor idle just for a few seconds, turned it off at the key switch, that's when I heard the bendix spinning away. It wasn't engaging the flywheel, just spinning. I will try boobies idea tomorrow, I'm thinking the key switch may have gone bad.

ok with more detail that sounds like a bad solinoid which the test bobbie surgests will prove or you hooked a wire to the starter side of the solinoid when you replaced it. make sure theres only one wire on the side that goes to the starter the battery side may have more wires

 

[tmise]

Re: Starter problem

Disconnected the yellow/red wire...stopped it from cranking. Got to thinking about it and the cowl was left off the motor the other night and it ended up raining. I removed the plastic power pack cover the next day to make sure no water had gotten into it, was fine good and dry. Did notice just now that there is a small hole on top of the solenoid. Wonder if maybe water got into it causing it to go bad? Just grasping for things now.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Starter problem

That is strange because if the yellow/red was powered up the starter should be spinning/cranking like the key was turned but you said it was just spinning slowly. Time to test with a meter to see if theres any voltage on the yellow/red wire as it should have 0v unless the key is turned to crank the motor.

 

[tmise]

Re: Starter problem

No when I disconnected the yellow/red wire and turned the battery selector switch to BATT 1 nothing is happening. When this wire is connected to solenoid and I do this, the starter engages just like it would if I were turning the key.

 

[boobie]

Re: Starter problem

Sounds like a boat wiring prob to me or else a bad ign switch. JMHO

 

[tmise]

Re: Starter problem

The bendix gear was still up and engaged to the flywheel. Sprayed it with PB blaster, turned flywheel until it dropped away from the flywheel. Now when I turn on the battery selector switch nothing happens, when i turn the key it engages the starter! Works fine now. May end up getting a starter for it anyway as it had initially gotten good and hot while all this was going on. Had been having problems before where bendix would engage flywheel for a few seconds then drop before engine was started. Think its been weak for awhile. Also should the shaft that the bendix gear slides up and down on be lubed with a light grease or oil?

 

[lindy46]

Re: Starter problem

I use a couple drops of 3-in-1 oil