1988 Johnson 60hp won't crank

[jryan]

Long time lurker here. Lots of great info. I've used the search feature and can't quite find the information I need. Hopefully someone here can help.

Motor has been running fine all year. Went to start motor yesterday, here is what happened....Motor was cranking fine and then I would turn the key and nothing. If the motor sat for five minutes or more I would turn the key and hear a very faint click. Then the very next turn of the key would be nothing. I have checked the battery and it is fine. No noticable nicks in any wires. I put a volt meter on the starter solenoid. (time to show my ignorance) There is a big wire coming from the battery. Reading plenty of voltage here. Then there are two smaller wires on the other side. One yellow/red wire. I do not have voltage to either one of these. Even with someone trying to start boat. Does this mean my solenoid is bad? Ignition switch? Would the kill switch have anything to do with this? It seems to be in standard operating condition.

Any help with troubleshooting would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1988 Johnson 60hp won't crank

near the solenoid is a red fuse holder, sounds like you blew the fuse.

 

[jryan]

Re: 1988 Johnson 60hp won't crank

Will make sure to double check the fuse. Thanks.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1988 Johnson 60hp won't crank

You have every indication of a bad battery, a discharged battery, or poor battery connections. Just because it measures 12.5 volts does not mean it is fully charged. Connect the voltmeter to the battery and then have someone turn the key. If the meters stays at 12.5 volts and nothing happens other than the click, then the battery itself probably is ok and connections become suspect. If you have jumper cables you can jump from the POS terminal on the battery directly to the large terminal on the starter. If the starter spins normally the problem now remains cables or solenoid or ignition switch wiring. Use a short piece of wire to jump the solenoid. If the engine spins you have ignition switch or start circuit wiring problems.

 

[jryan]

Re: 1988 Johnson 60hp won't crank

OK. So I pulled the fuse on the solenoid. Fuse looked to be fine so put it back. Just for giggles i tried to start the motor again and wallah it worked. So now I am really confused. Literally all I did was this, didn't touch anything else. I guess I should just feel lucky but I would hate to have the problem reoccur in the middle of the lake. I will double check the battery and all the connections just to make sure they are in good working order. Again thanks for the info.