Starting Problem

[Edmac]

New to the forum and need help.
Starting Problem

Looking for help concerning a starting problem with a 85 HP Evinrude.

The Problem:

When the motor sits overnight the starter will not work, only get a click from
The solenoid. The battery is good. Good current going to Solenoid. Ground is OK.
Here?s the kicker, if when the starter does not turn, I turn the flywheel by hand for
A half revolution the starter will work. Also, instead of turning the flywheel, if I
Turn the shaft on the starter a revolution or so everything works fine.
I don't understand what the turning of the flywheel would have to do with
the starter.
Any help would be appreciated.
Ed

 

[Mike722]

Re: Starting Problem

Is the starter gear engaged in the flywheel when you turn it? The starter may have a dead spot that turning the flywheel which turns the starter or turning the starter moves past the spot.

 

[rick_l]

Re: Starting Problem

Try rebuilding the starter. There more than likely a bad spot.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Starting Problem

90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one.

also have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, free, i've had new batteries go bad

 

[Edmac]

Re: Starting Problem

I have cleaned all the connections prior to the post.
I have 12.5 V current at the Solenoid. With the starter
cranking I measure 10.3 V going to the starter. Is this
too much drop? Starter spins what seems to be fast enough.
Ed

 

[JB]

Re: Starting Problem

What do you measure at the starter when it won't go?

Sounds like a bad spot on the commutators or a bad brush.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Starting Problem

I agree with JB, that sounds like a bad brush in the starter, I would look into having it rebuilt.

 

[Edmac]

Re: Starting Problem

OK, did another test. Went to start the engine, got the usual "click" from
the solenoid, took a jumper wire from the plus side of the battery to
the hot side of the starter and it spins the starter good.Tried to start from turning the key again,still the same solenoid click, touched the jumper wire to the starter and it
spins good. Is this not the solenoid that is is bad?
Ed

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Starting Problem

could be the wire from the solenoid to the starter is bad. If it is bad it will cause too much current to draw. Replace it and see what happens.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Starting Problem

battery been load tested and charged up to 12.65 volts?

You only need one jumper cable for this above test, battery (+) to starter positive terminal. Alternatively, get yourself a multimeter and measure the voltage at the starter (+) terminal while somebody turns the key over to "start" - if you get within half a volt or so of the battery voltage, the starter is faulty.

Bad voltage at starter (with clean tight connections), measure the voltage at the solenoid small terminal with the yellow/red wire with the key turned over to "start" you should read within a half-volt of battery voltage, otherwise you have a wiring fault beween the keyswitch & solenoid. Good voltage at solenoid but bad voltage at starter means faulty solenoid.

Although turning the starter shaft 1/4 turn with positive results usually indicates poor brushes

 

[Edmac]

Re: Starting Problem

Thanks for the feedback, I ordered a Solenoid. I think the starter
is old and probably is getting close needing work also.
You Guys were very helpful.