[mdhavey]

I turn the key and the starter just spins, won't engage.

Any suggestions on how to change it out and where to get another?

Thanks,
Mike

[ballengerb1]

It sounds like the bendix is bad. The bendix is like a candycane shaft with a nylon gear on it. When the starter spins the shaft spins and the gear spirals down the shaft and slams into the flywheel. That nylon gear is designed to fail first to save the fly wheel. Remove the starter and then you will see the bendix, not hard to replace.

[mdhavey]

Remove the starter and then you will see the bendix, not hard to replace.

Hey thanks!

Say can you give me an idea of how to begin -- I don't have a shop manual for this engine so I'm not sure how to go about taking apart the starter.

[21boat]

If I had the no# for the
Model
Type
Code

I could get you a parts and maintenance manual

I have a generic parts for the starters. Most are pretty much the same.

http://www.briggsandstratton.com/mai...=MS2719_LO.pdf

Lets make sure you are getting 12 volts to the starter first

If the battery is good, check the voltage to the starter by taking a volt meter and grounding the black probe to a good ground and touching the red probe to the starter terminal. Turn the key. If all 12 volts are going to the starter good.

If less than 12 volts are going to the starter, check for exposed areas in the wiring which could cause a partial ground or corrosion. Remove the corrosion, if any, and tape up the wire with electrical tape.

I also think it's a Bendix problem but low voltage to the starter can also cause the "spin"

[crigby]

Hi,
Sounds to me as if the battery may be hooked up backwards. Starter does not care, just spins backwards and never engages.
Peace,
Clarke

[mdhavey]

Good observations! Thanks! I should have mentioned that it started right up moments before... battery has been good all spring so it's probably the internals. It looks like the starter comes off easily, one large hex screw to the engine... does that sound right?

[mdhavey]

Problem solved! There's a broken tooth on the flywheel gear. When (once in a blue moon) the flywheel stops just right, the starter gear spins at the broken tooth. Simple solution: move the flywheel an inch and presto, starts. Thanks for all help...
Mike

[ballengerb1]

Broken tooth on the flywheel is a pretty rare occurrence since the bendix gear is nylon. One tooth missing will not ruin the balance of the fly wheel but it does change the balance a hair. You will run into this situation again, eventually.