Starter question

[Blinkin]

You will have to excuse my lack of knowledge in the proper terminology of a starter but I will try my best. My starter shorted on me last weekend so I found a used one to put back on it. Everything went on fine and it turns over with no problem. My problem is the bendix (? part with 9 teeth that shoots up and spins to actually crank motor) will shoot out and spin but only for about 2 seconds worth. When I first crank the thing it always takes a few seconds of cranking to get it going, after that the 2 second burst is enough to crank it. I ended up getting my brother to hold the thing up with a screwdriver while I turned it over and it started up after about 5 seconds or so. I rode around and got the engine warm and killed it. cranked right back up no problem. It is just the first crank when the engine is cold that needs the extra turnover time. Does anybody have a clue as to what is happening? Can this be fixed or should I get another starter? Thanks for any help.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Starter question

The starter needs to be rebuilt.Get rid of that old bendix.Jerry

 

[dst87mcssac]

Re: Starter question

Hello,

Go to Ebay and look under Mercury / Force and you will see lots of starters for about $85.00 shipped. I had one rebuilt and it cost $80.00 and only lasted six months. Just by a new Aftermarket one.

These motors are hard on starters. Only turn the key of 15 seconds and if it does not crank, let the starter cool down for 3 minutes.

Donald

 

[Kenso]

Re: Starter question

I have been having the exact same problem with mine, '96 75hp. Installed a new OEM starter today, no change. Mine acts just like yours, only a problem on a cold start, if it doesn't fire up in 2-3 seconds. I decided to clean the ground wire connection on the powerhead, haven't had a chance to retry it yet, we'll see what happens tomorrow. I'm wondering if a poor connection/excess resistance in the starter power or ground circuit is causing this. May try running power directly from the battery + terminal to the +terminal on the starter next if the problem persists (as a test/diagnosis method only). Will advise if I come up with a final fix on mine.

 

[Blinkin]

Re: Starter question

Well...I got rid of the used starter and bought a brand new one to remedy the problem. Brand new starter does the same thing, only spins on the flywheel for a short burst. I keep turning on it and every now and then it will turn over for a few more seconds than the usual 2 second burst but it still isn't right. The original that was on it never did that. It would turn over as long as I held the key. Is there some king of relay or something that adds an extra burst of power to keep the bendix engaged in the flywheel? There has to be something I am missing on this.

 

[jim_b_20653]

Re: Starter question

Sounds like you have a bad connection somewhere. Check your ground wire from the battery to the block. Disconnect at both ends clean them with some emory cloth, make sure that they are nice and shiny clean then reconnect. Do the same with the positive cable from battery to solenoid,and Solinoid to starter. Make sure all the connections are good and tight when you reconnect.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Starter question

Are you sure the engine isn't popping it back down? The bendix uses inertia to ride up the shaft helix and engage the flywheel teeth. So, when it is stopped, the starter motor turns over faster than the bendix can react and it (the bendix) rides up the shaft.

Now, if the engine tries to start but doesn't, and kicks the bendix back down, The bendix is already spinning and will usually not ride back up the shaft helix. The motor will spin freely without the bendix engaging the flywheel.

All this to state: Check your timing on the engine and/or the fuel mixture. If it is too advanced at start or if it is too lean, the engine may kick without actually starting. This usually happens on cold starts not hot, since you need a richer mixture when cold.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Starter question

Sounds like you have a bad connection somewhere. Check your ground wire from the battery to the block. Disconnect at both ends clean them with some emory cloth, make sure that they are nice and shiny clean then reconnect. Do the same with the positive cable from battery to solenoid,and Solinoid to starter. Make sure all the connections are good and tight when you reconnect.

After getting it to crank some carefully feel the connections for heat
if they heat up you probably have bad crimps at he cable ends.