Testing A Starter

[94Skeet]

I have a 94 Model 150Hp 2.5 Liter. This year when I fired her up the first time, it ran for about 10 minutes. Now the starter doesn't engage the flywheel to turn. I've checked voltage by putting a load on the battery and that checks out. My question is how do I check the starter by jumping it? I've already taken it off the engine, but supposed I may have jumped the guns on that one.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Ben Konopacky]

Re: Testing A Starter

Hi Skeet; since the starter is off ,mount it in a vice or have someone hold it secure.make a good + 12 v batt. connection to the lead end,now carefully with -12 v make contact to starter grd.(frame) momentaraly ,if it turns you can be 99% shure its ok.then you need to check the start solonoid,for an open coil winding or badly burnt contacts.all could have been done before you removed the starter . good luck.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Testing A Starter

If the starter spins but the pinion gear doesn't move up the shaft to engage the ring gear, the shaft is all cruded up. Give it a good douching with WD-40 and manually move the gear up and down the shaft 'til it's free.<br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[94Skeet]

Re: Testing A Starter

Okay, rain delays, but here's what I did and the results.<br /><br />Jumped the starter to a 12volt battery and it does turn. The pinion gear did not move up the shaft, which would enage with the flywhell, so I gave it a really good douching. I could then, and beforehand, turn the pinion gear and it does move up the shaft fairly easily. After the douching, kicked the started again with the battery - same results...<br /><br />I checked on the engine and the solenoid connectors and wires that attach to the starter are all either clean (bright and silver) or have the factory waterproofing gunk on them.<br /><br />Is it time to take it to a marine shop?

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Testing A Starter

If you bypassed the solenoid and the starter does not have enough power to turn the motor over you have either a battery that is not producing enough power or your starter is going bad. If it is the starter the brushes are probably worn. I would first take battery to an auto parts store and have them test it. If battery tests out and all connections are clean I would take starter apart. When you do this the brushes are engaged by springs so you want to do this where when they fly you can find them. You probably need to replace the end cap and the brushes. Should be around 30 bucks. Putting the new brushes on can be frustrating but with some mono filiment fishing line it can be done.

 

[94Skeet]

Re: Testing A Starter

WoW! I never knew the marine shop was going to take 2 weeks to fix my starter. I have it back on and it's turning/engaging correctly now.<br /><br />On to the battery, after a few tries to crank, the battery discharged enough to not turn the starter. Charging it now and we'll see this afternoon. May go ahead and change the plugs out to - never been changed on this engine.