9.9 hp Honda 4 stroke outboard Electric starter not working. It just makes a 'clunk' noise.?

Question

I can get along fine with the pull start, but it is nice to have the electric start as a back-up, just in case I get injured out there. The workshop manual, it is not very helpful. Can anybody please give me some helpful tips? Thanks

Answer 1

sounds like a flat battery,or it is a sticky brush or a worn out brush in the starter motor,easy to do

Answer 2

Sounds like the pre-engage on the starter motor has gone!

Take the outboard in for a service & repair!

The AA or the RAC don't come out to you when you are afloat with no engine, and it's blowing 5-6's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

First make sure your battery is fully charged.

Second remove battery cables one at a time and clean the connectors and reconnect tightly.

If that doesn't work and you are sure the battery is fully charged, you will probably have to replace your starter or solenoid.

Answer 4

It sounds as if it's a weak battery problem.  Try to start it with a fully charged battery first.  Then check to see if the Stator is recharging the battery while the motor is running.  The clunk noise is the starters gear engaging the flywheel which tells you that the starter motor is working properly.  Good luck

Answer 5

The spring on the starter motor helix is either stuck or broke, or the starter gear is jammed in the flywheel gear.

Take the cover off the starter motor and you can see the flywheel, starter gear, spring and helix shaft.

If its just stuck, free it up and spray some WD40 in there.

If the gear was jammed into the flywheel teeth then check for damage and wear. They are made from quite a soft metal and burrs can easily be filed and removed.

The "clunk" you are hearing is probably the starter solinoid. If you think its a more mechanical sound than that, it could be the starter taking up slack against a jammed gear.

If the engine runs file on a pull start, its unlikely to be a jammed gear/flywheel and more likely the spring is broke or the gear is stuck at the base of the helix.

If its none of those things and the clunk is the solinoid, then you will have to check to see if 12v is getting to the starter motor. If so, it might actually be the motor.

So, in order of likelyhood/checking:

1) spring stuck or broke

2) Gear jammed on helix

3) solonoid <-> motor electrics

4) gear jammed on flywheel

Its a good idea to keep in working - very sensible.