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Hey I'm not sure if this is the appropriate section to post this in. But my engine won't start. It ran just fine a couple days ago and then only the starter would spin but not extend to engage the flywheel. Figured it was the batteries, put in 2 brand new batteries. Didn't solve the issue. I've tried lubricating the starter shaft thinking it might be stuck. Still didn't fix it.

Any help would greatly appreciated. Thanks

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Usually a bendix not engaging the flywheel is due to a bad ground. Clean your wires at the starter and go from there.

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I Cleaned the wires, still no change. I haven't had a lot of time to dig into it, but I'm going to start tracing all the wiring on sunday afternoon and see what I can find.

Any other suggestions?

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Looking at all the wires, nothing appears wrong or out of place. The starter looks fine as far as the connections. The starter gear (bendix) is stuck, didn't you say it should move freely up and down if pulled on? Mine is stuck...

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What boat is it on? Where is the battery located? Is there a battery switch that could have a bad connection on the back? Are the battery cables a single run from battery switch to motor or is there a post connection on the transom near the motor? Outboard OEM battery cable are only so long so there is sometimes a connection on post near the motor. What year is the boat? How old are the battery cables? Old cables and old connections can cause voltage drop, enough to not engage the starter. Low voltage will cause what your motor is doing. what do you volt gauge say.

What you describe sounds like low voltage. or voltage drop. Have you checked battery connection on the solenoid? Maybe while trying to start try jumping the motor using battery jumper cable with connected directly to a battery, maybe a separate battery or car.

Will the starter freely turn? How fast is the starter turning. It is running hard full speed?
Archie

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Oh to answer your question. Yes the gear on the starter should move up by turning it on the starter while it is just sitting there. Turn it in the direstion the start is supposed to spin. The gear is on a worm gear on the starter and can get hung up on the threads. When the start spins it spins fast enough to push the gear up on the worm gear and engage the flywheel. If it spins to slowly it will not engage.

It is possible to get it jammed. Lubing the worm gear will fix the problem, if you can pop it free. Lightly tapping with a small brass hammer may pop it free. Good luck.
Archie

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Jump it and see if it works. If it does'nt time for a new starter.

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Tried jumping, and still no change. Got my hands a replacement starter, swapped it out and she cranked right up.

Thanks for the help guys!

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Glad you fixed it