Common problems with the 6V Evinrude Starters?

[mr-asa]

Got a starter, Autolite MAK 4033M 5K on the tag from what I can tell.
With it installed on the ’55 25HP it came with I hooked it up to a portable setup I’ve cobbled together that is basically a momentary switch, 12V starter solenoid, and a 12V car battery. Everything is setup correctly (basically I cut out everything but the momentary switch and solenoid from the below) and the starter is getting power but there’s no action.

Brushes? Do the windings like to burn out? Other?

[Buccaneer]

Did you clean the commutator? Inspect the brushes?
Lacking a “growler” to check for shorts in the windings, you
can make sure there’s no “open” windings by checking
continuity throughout the commutator with an ohm meter,
holding one meter lead on one segment, and go around the
commutator with the other lead.

Prepare to be boarded!

[The Boat House]

Try tapping on the starter. If it cranks its likely just
poor contact of the brushes. This friend of mine
has been beating on his starter with a rock to
get this to crank over. Once he gets it started the
first time its fine the rest of the day. I know but
its his motor.
Tubs

[mr-asa]

Buccaneer wrote:

Did you clean the commutator? Inspect the brushes?
Lacking a “growler” to check for shorts in the windings, you
can make sure there’s no “open” windings by checking
continuity throughout the commutator with an ohm meter,
holding one meter lead on one segment, and go around the
commutator with the other lead.

I haven’t checked any of those. Made sure it spun and then hooked it up. Figured I’d look for the most common issues these might have before I start digging in.

[Mumbles]

Your six volt starter has a band on the bottom which can be removed to inspect the brushes and commutator. The brushes may be worn or hung up. Another issue with these starters is the thrust washer on the bottom of the armature wears out, allowing the commutator to fall a bit and short out on the end plate. I’ve fixed this problem before by making thin washers out of Delrin.The field windings are quite robust but if the insulation has fallen off, they can be rewrapped with cotton and then varnished. I use seam binding meant for sewing to do this.

Try holding the starter upside down and put the power to it. If it spins and tries to jump out of your hand, you can assume the lower thrust washer is worn out and it has an internal short.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by Mumbles.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by Mumbles.

1 user thanked author for this post.

mr-asa

[mr-asa]

Well… crap.
At least I know what is wrong with this starter

[Buccaneer]

Wow, did it use to live on the bottom of the ocean?

Prepare to be boarded!

[mr-asa]

It actually looked pretty dadgum good when I got it. Picked it up for $100 a few years back, came with controls, cables, wiring, fuel tank and fuel lines. Guy basically pulled it off his boat when he upgraded.
No real evidence of any water damage. The outboard spun over with no issues. Paint was horrible, but I’ve fixed that by now

• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by mr-asa.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by mr-asa.

[bobw]

This guy can rebuild your starter pretty cheap, but the shipping costs might be a little steep.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THES37K3EUE

Bob

1937 Champion D2C Deluxe Lite Twin
1954 Johnson CD-11
1957 Evinrude Fastwin 18
1958 Johnson QD-19
1958 Johnson FD-12
1959 Johnson QD-20

“Every 20 minute job is only a broken bolt away from a 3-day project.”
"Every time you remove a broken or seized bolt an angel gets his wings."

[mr-asa]

Thanks Bob, there’s an actual little Mom ‘n Pop style rewinding shop about 4 miles away from me that somehow is still open. I’m going to try and clear as much of the rust out of this thing as possible and head up there come Monday.

[Author]

Posts