Yamaha g9 generator makes noise but hesitates to start

[Freckles]

92 yamaha g9. When i press the accelerator, the generator makes a whirring noise but does not turn the pulley. Sometimes it hesitates for just a second or two, sometimes for 10 seconds. Recently, i had to make several attempts to get it to roll. Held it for quite a while and without the pulley spinning. Assumed it was brushes so i went ahead and changed those. One was a little sticky. Cleaned all the leads and doesn't seem much different. Any ideas?

[olson boy]

Have you had the battery load tested?

[Freckles]

No load test but it only drops to 11.7 on my volt meter when pedal is depressed

[cgtech]

Where were you measuring power at? Move down the line on each cable, one connection at a time. You should find a point where voltage drops. If that point is in the starter generator, it could be shorted internally

[Spicyunicorn]

11.7 is pretty pretty low in my opinion might want to try with a known good battery

[Freckles]

I went through the "So your yamaha won't turn over" sticky and it seems i am getting all the correct readings across the solenoid. Solenoid output was something like 12.4 or 12.5. i have continuity across the small posts of solenoid. bad starter?

[Freckles]

Ive cleaned every lead between starter and battery with no difference. If i take the plug out it rolls right over. Ive just adjusted the valves so i know they aren too loose.

[Freckles]

Switched batteries. No difference

[sho305]

Belt not slipping is it, that is pretty common and hard to see. Nobody replaces those belts until they break, they get old, hard, and slippery. If the pulley is not spinning then its got low power, no ground, or internal issue. Remember this stuff all ground wired so bad ground to battery makes it not work same as a bad hot wire. They are not like a car where things ground to frame or body. You can check the gen ground to batt ground post it should show near 0v on gen if ground is good, you will see voltage if connection is bad (while trying to start).

[Freckles]

Yeah, im thinking i have bad battery terminals or cables. I pulled S/G again to check everything and gave it a more thorough cleaning. Cleaned all connections, put charger on battery for a while. seemed a little better. If i use jumper cables directly from starter to battery it seems much better. I have the cheap clamp on cables. I'm going to get new ones made and see if it helps>