1957 35HP Johnson Javelin Electric Start doesnt work

[jrloomis]

I just acquired a 1957 Johnson Javelin 35HP. I'm having issues with the electric start on this boat. The motor itself is able to be pull started without issue. It appeared to have some corrosion and a possible short due to a hole in one of the cables running to the motor. The whole cable had already been torn apart and taped back together by a previous owner. It had worked the first couple times i tried to start the motor, then it just stopped. Now it does nothing, the electric start and choke are both not functioning. Is this possibly a short in the wiring or would it be the starter solenoid. The starter itself appears to be new, and it does start from the pull start. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tnltracy]

Re: 1957 35HP Johnson Javelin Electric Start doesnt work

Sounds like a wiring issue if hte electric choke is also not working. My 1958 35 has a mercury switch that disables the starter if throttle is too high, but choke will still work regardless.

There aren't a lot of wires running to the motor, I'd suggest taking that tape off and checking them all. Seems you have a break somewhere, likley in the ignition wiring that is cutting out all power to the motor area.

Get a wiring diagram and trace all the wires. It's pretty straight forward with the diagram, I re-wired all of mine, and with the color coded wiring took me just a few hours including adding in a bit of wiring the PO had not properly connnected, or jsut left off

 

[JB]

Re: 1957 35HP Johnson Javelin Electric Start doesnt work

Replace the cables from the battery to the engine.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: 1957 35HP Johnson Javelin Electric Start doesnt work

in order for the solenoid to click it has to be grounded. The small terminal next to the battery terminal on the solenoid runs to the starter switch. The other runs back to the mercury switch on the throttle linkage which supplies the ground. It will not click and engage the starter if the ground is not present. The electric choke is simple. 12v to it through a switch and it will engage is the solenoid on it is good.

 

[jrloomis]

Re: 1957 35HP Johnson Javelin Electric Start doesnt work

Thanks for the info so far...im extremely green at this. By the way where on my motor would it specify the model number? Ive noticed that there appear to be several model numbers of this particular outboard motor and i cant seem to find anything on it that would say. Thanks again for any info!