1989 Evinrude 70 hp starter issues

[Derick58]

I have a '89 70 hp which I bought used last year. The motor was running fine and still does once started but the starter will not engage the flywheel now. The starter spins but the bendix never comes up. I thought the battery was weak originally so I charged it up and same thing. I used another fully charged battery and same thing. I tried jumping the starter directly off the battery byp***ing the solenoid. Same thing. I bought a new starter. Same thing. I checked all of the cables and they seem to be fine. Baffled!!

[Davidh1981]

im having the same issue with a 1980 70hp, I have not replaced the starter yet though.

[Solarman]

Then probably the Bendix gear that engages the flywheel is not free to move up when starter spins. Lubricate the gear and shaft of Bendix gear, free it up, and you may be good. If Bendix gear is not free to spin up/ move up, it will just spin.

If you have held the key in start position, for more than 5 seconds, trying to start motor, you might have damaged the windings from too many amps, for too long a period of time (generally wires, or starter will start smoking-too long). All starters, on all motors will burn out windings if holding starter on for too long a period of time. You should also give a few minutes between such extended starts (5 seconds) to allow windings to cool down.

Good luck to both of you with this problem.

[Derick58]

thanks for the suggestion.. it is a brand new starter so I don't think it needs lubed.. the bendix goes up just fine when I turn it manually. It does not seem to be getting enough current.

[Derick58]

turned out to be just a loose ground connection on the motor.. dah