Electrical starter problems need help

[mike]

" I have the 1960 Evinrude 40

" I have the 1960 Evinrude 40 and am still having problems with starters .I have gone through about 3 used starters that were supposed to be good,but they are not geting the job done.Two of them wont turn the engine fast at all and one of them worked for about 10 tries before it failed .I think they are bad starters ,the shop I bought them from think that I have another problem .I have replaced both battery cables and the starter from solenoid cable,and when I turn the key 12 volts are showing on the starter terminal by the tester.I have tried 2 different batteries that work fine in my v8 boat.Is there a chance something else like a bad engine ground could cause these problems,if so how would I check this ?The parts guy at the shop said something about not getting enough amps,but I thought the batteries provide this and they are proven ok.Is there a chance the pull start mechanism is binding something up when the starter engages and tries to turn? The only other thing I can think of that might cause something is the replacement cable from the solenoid to the starter is not as thick as the original was in the harness,it is I believe a 6 gage wire ,but it does not get hot at all when using it ,and NAPA said it would be fine for this , it seems to be doing its job.I have ordered another used starter from the mastertech website and he has load tested this one and says it is in really good shape,it should be here Friday,I would like to be sure that when it goes on my system is right and ready. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.Mike "

 

[joereeves]

"Mike... If the battery will o

"Mike... If the battery will operate other items such as your car starter etc which would be a positive test (I know it's a pain to change things over), obviously the battery's okay.

If, as you say, you're obaining a true 12v reading at the starter terminal when turning the key to the start position, there's nothing wrong with the starter solenoid, the cables, or the ground... unless you're using a small diameter cable somewhere (which would get hot fast), and you say you are not so that rules the small cable scenario out.

If the cables DO NOT get hot anywhere along the length of them, they should be fine internally and at their end connections. Revert to running the battery cables directly to the starter.

As far as suspecting that the manual starter or some item is interfering with the starter, that's unlikely... unless the powerhead itself is seizing which can be checked by simply turning the engine over manually. But to ease your mind on that point, secure the bendix gear so that it can not fly up into the flywheel ring gear. A tie strap, electrical tape, anything of that nature will make it stay put.

If, with the cables run directly to the starter, the starter DOES OPERATE as it should... there has to be a bad connection somewhere.

If, with the cables run directly to the starter, the starter DOES NOT OPERATE as it should, the starter is faulty.

I can understand the dealers outlook as it's very unlikely that three starters would be faulty and act up in the same identical manner... however, it can happen. Keep us informed.

Joe

"

 

[mike]

" Thanks Joe I have a refund f

" Thanks Joe I have a refund from the previos starters and am waiting for the newer one to arrive,they say the starters were off of motors that have siezed lower units and they should all be good,but they did not load test them and to me this is the problem.I wonder if a lower unit failed how many times did the starter hit a siezed flywheel before the owners scrapped the engine ,probably quite a few,and that cant be good .Just searching for anything I have overlooked and it seems all the bases are covered.Thanks for the reassurance and I will let you know as soon as I try ,or fry the next one .Mike "

 

[mike]

" Joe I have the starter and t

" Joe I have the starter and this thing is really spinning now.Tommorow I will give it the lake test and thanks for the carb adjusting advice,the thing sounds like a new motor compared with before and starts quicker than ever.Mike "