1971 60hp Johnson has trouble turning over

[jeansarepants]

I have recently got my boat out of storage for the winter and i am trying to tune it up and get it running. I have replaced the solinoid and I think I am having starter troubles. Last week I had it running a bit and had to stop for the night. Well last night, I started back working with it and I can't get the starter to turn the flywheel completely over. It seems like it gets to a spot and it stops. Last week the motor turned over with no problems. I have tried jumping the battery off with my car and still get the same result. I need some suggestions about how to fix my problem. Thanks.

 

[alangf]

Re: 1971 60hp Johnson has trouble turning over

The first thing to determine is if the problem is with the engine itself or with the starter system. Remove the spark plugs and turn the flywheel by hand. If this comes out normal check the wiring to the starter (including ground side!). You can jumper a battery directly to the solenoid (+ lead) and the ground side directly to the starter. If the starter now works normally the problem is in the wiring. If not the problem is in the solenoid or in the starter itself.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1971 60hp Johnson has trouble turning over

Jump from the battery to the starter itself. Use a known good battery, Check for all tight, clean connections if this tests out. Don't use wing nuts on the battery, use stainless, or brass nuts.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1971 60hp Johnson has trouble turning over

90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one.

also have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, free, i've had new batteries go bad

 

[jeansarepants]

Re: 1971 60hp Johnson has trouble turning over

I removed the spark plugs and the flywheel turns easily. I have also checked all wire conections and everthing checks out good. I get 12.3ish volts at the battery and I also get 12.3ish volts at the solenoid. I have to check the voltage at the starter when the key is turned later tonight when I get some help.


But, when I jump the battery straight to the starter, I get the same problems(slugish to one full rotation of the flywheel). I get about one complete rotation of the flywheel but it cant keep it turning. I am going to take the battery to the auto parts store tomorrow and get a full charge on it.


I am also going to try to jump the battery to the solenoid and make sure there is no probem with the key/ignition.


I need any suggestions at all before I take it to my boat mechanic. I would like to save some money by solving the problem myself. Thanks for all the help and advice!!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1971 60hp Johnson has trouble turning over

don't jump battery to solenoid. it could blow some eletronics. those motors are very sensitive.

 

[JB]

Re: 1971 60hp Johnson has trouble turning over

"I have also checked all wire conections and everthing checks out good."

Please be more specific. Bad connections cause over 90% of "starter" troubles. Looking good and feeling tight are not good enough. You must remove and clean all connections.

The most common fault is where the battery ground cable connects to the engine. If you jump the battery + to the starter and don't also jump the battery - to the engine block you get a wrong result because you are still trying to use that bad connection.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1971 60hp Johnson has trouble turning over

12.3 on the battery is slightly over 50% of charge.

 

[jeansarepants]

Re: 1971 60hp Johnson has trouble turning over

I took all the connections off and cleaned them with a wire brush and then took a file to them and shined them up.

I am getting the feeling that the battery just isn't charged enough to give me the juice I need.....?????

I have also tried to jump the battery off to my truck with the same results.


I will get the battery charged tomorrow and see what happens.


And I think the boat is officially for sale...... Just got engaged and the woman wants something new..... Any offers out there??????

 

[jeansarepants]

Re: 1971 60hp Johnson has trouble turning over

I think I have found my problem.... I am getting 12 volts to the input side of the solenoid but the output side is only sending 7ish volts to the starter. I am thinking the solenoid is probably corroded and the contacts aren't working properly. If this seems to make sense to anyone else, let me know. Thanks!!