Last week, I went to launch my Pontoon (has a 99 Johnson 50HP) and it would not start. When I turned the key, the starter would spin up to the fly wheel, and just sit there. If I tried to turn it over again, it would just moan and not 'kick out' or turn the fly wheel.

I called a guy that has worked on my boats before (Schmidt Boat Repair in Brenham). He thought it might be the starter but did not have time to change it for me. So I drove over there and picked up a new starter. Installed and and it fired right up!!

The next morning, I took it to the lake and when I tried to start it...the same darn thing was happening again. When I examined the starter, it appeared that it was not quite lined up with the fly wheel so I put a spacer between the starter and the block (only on the top). Hooked it all up....took it to the lake and it started just fine. I ran it that day and everything was great.

The next morning, I took it to the lake and it did the same thing..engaged the fly wheel but would not turn it nor would it spin back down.

I took it to Schmidt's Sunday and left it there. When I spoke with them yesterday afternoon he said that he removed the spacer and started it..everything was running great.

Since that point, he has started it every few hours and it fires right up. I have no idea what is going on and do not want to pick it up from him until I know for sure that everything has been repaired.

What could be causing this intermittent problem??

Thanks,

Kelly Freeman

I think that I would check the pos and neg battery cable from the battery all the way-inch by inch- to the engine and especially at the point of entry into the cowling. You will probably find a bad terminal at the battery or a bad spot in the cable itself. What's happening is that you are getting 12volts thru the system but you are not getting the amperage it takes to make the starter crank the engine. You can also use a load tester at the engine end of the battery cables where they attach to the starter silonoid and ground.

agree, most likely an electricity problem. pull the connections apart battery to solenoid to starter, polish 'em till they shine then make 'em tight-tight-tight! Don't forget the battery (-) & solenoid engine ground. all else fails, get the battery load tested.

still can't find it, disassemble the starter, blow out all the carbon dust & put it back together. Don't use any solvents or stiff brushes inside the starter motor.

when it happens, have you ever manually lowered the bendix & tried again?