Starter Won't Engage

**larsonblue** · 04-18-2010, 05:58 PM

I have an ongoing problem with the starter on my '82 200 Black Max. The starter gear bounces off the flywheel most of the time and doesn't engage. I have to twist the gear and engage it manually. The starter turns just fine. A friend told me to lube it with graphite. I couldn't get much in there because it's hard to get in from the top. It seemed to help a little, but the problem has gotten progressively worse. I can't detect any friction against the shaft when I twist it manually, but that doesn't mean it isn't there.

**afr** · 04-18-2010, 06:11 PM

take it aprt and clean the brushes thats usally works they get like a powder in there

**JP Love** · 04-18-2010, 06:19 PM

Change the clutch drive...

**larsonblue** · 04-18-2010, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by afr

take it aprt and clean the brushes thats usally works they get like a powder in there

The starter turns the engine over just fine. The only problem is the gear engaging. It doesn't seem like there's any problem with the motor. By the way I forgot to mention - the gear teeth all look fine and I don't see any problems with alignment.

**larsonblue** · 04-18-2010, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by JP Love

Change the clutch drive...

What the hail is that? I don't see any clutch on this thing. The starter gear moves up and down a helical gear on the shaft. It looks like there's the shaft, the gear and a spring to push the gear back down.

**afr** · 04-18-2010, 06:29 PM

i go that one time from a weak battery to if its clean inside try a new bendix spring i think i comes with a new gear to but you wont need that

**transomstand** · 04-18-2010, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by afr

i go that one time from a weak battery

That's the most likely, along with the usual suspects. Clean all connections till shiney, inspect battery cables, load test battery. The starters in these engines need to fire hard to engage the starter drive. The starter can actually be in poor condition, but with enough juice, it'll still start.

**larsonblue** · 04-18-2010, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by transomstand

That's the most likely, along with the usual suspects. Clean all connections till shiney, inspect battery cables, load test battery. The starters in these engines need to fire hard to engage the starter drive. The starter can actually be in poor condition, but with enough juice, it'll still start.

I have dual batteries and I've had the problem even when they are fully charged. I'll check the external connections. I don't know how to get at the brushes. Is there a better lube than graphite?

**transomstand** · 04-18-2010, 07:17 PM

I just use 2-4-C, or 3 in one oil on the drive. Remove the starter, pull out the 2 long bolts in the end frame, and the brushes will be right there at the bottom.

**JP Love** · 04-18-2010, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by larsonblue

What the hail is that? I don't see any clutch on this thing. The starter gear moves up and down a helical gear on the shaft. It looks like there's the shaft, the gear and a spring to push the gear back down.

Starter drive clutch........ You see nothing.. Go see Google a bit ..

**larsonblue** · 04-18-2010, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by JP Love

Starter drive clutch........ You see nothing.. Go see Google a bit ..

I just checked the manual. It just shows pinion gear and spring. If I unload the spring, the pinion gear moves freely. Looks like I need to pull the whole thing out and clean the brushes.

**Jay Smith** · 04-18-2010, 08:34 PM

Sounds like WEAK VOLTAGE SUPPLY to the starter ... No matter if you've got ten batteries and you have a good solid 12 volts at them if the voltage is not getting to the starter with a good path ( bad or broke down battery wiring ) it is gonna do the same thing you described...

my .02
Jay