bendix gear on Johnson 88 spl won't engage fly wheel

[Andrewkup]

Hello, I just got the boat out to get her ready for spring. When i went to start the bendix gear won't go all the way up and engage the fly wheel. the starter spins and the gear turns just not all the way. I an able to manually turn the gear to get the teeth to engage and then it will start no problem. The battery is fully charged and clean terminals. thanks Andrew

 

[haffiman37]

Remove the ground stud on the engine and clean the threads. Check voltage at starter when engaged, should not drop below 11 volts.

 

[guyjg]

The starter may need brushes replaced and the commutator cleaned and undercut. Mark the case and endcaps before disassembly. An old solenoid can also reduce the voltage/current to a starter w/worn brushes.