1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

[Mr. Bwok]

Hello. I need some assistance. I am bring back to life a 1957 Johnson RDE-19 that was stored in a barn for 40 years. I have an issue with the starter rolling over extremely slowly and the wire that runs from the vacuum cut off to the mercury switch went up in smoke. What could be causing this? The wiring is done exactly as described in a couple of other threads on this forum. I have triple checked it before posting this. The Starter is engaging the flywheel, but barely if at all rolling the engine over. Then as I tried again the wire from the mercury switch went up in smoke and almost burned off. I have replaced that wire and would like to hear what I should do to prevent this as I try and breath life back into my barnfind.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

I would start by totally dissassemling the starter and cleaning it. It could also need to be rebuilt.

 

[Mr. Bwok]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

I would start by totally dissassemling the starter and cleaning it. It could also need to be rebuilt.

It appears there is a massive amount of resistance and I did notice that you can rebuild those starters. I am pulling tomorrow and will update. Would this cause the wire to burn? Or is that a whole other issue?

 

[F_R]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

The wire burns up when somebody has installed a car solenoid.

 

[Mr. Bwok]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

The wire burns up when somebody has installed a car solenoid.

It was the solenoid that was in the box, how would I be able to tell the differenc between an automotive and a marine solenoid. I would rather not spend $35 if it is not the solenoid. If there is no way to know the difference then I will buy one. All it says on it is "made for 12 volt use". I am so close to getting this motor ready for the lake.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

I would be willing to be that you are using an auto solenoid, they have 2 small hot posts. Go to your local dealership and get a marine one.

Also do some testing on the wires, ensuring they are not corroded internally. Polish all connections and retighten. Ensure the battery is fully charged and load tested.

 

[Mr. Bwok]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

I will report back as soon as I change the solenoid, clean starter and check and clean all connections. I appreciate the help so much,

 

[Mr. Bwok]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

I changed the solenoid to a proper marine one and I am still getting that wire burning. I cleaned the starter and if I hook the battery directly to the starter post and the ground the starter works perfect. I can get the motor to start, but it does not stay running. I cleaned and did a new carb kit. If I keep the revs up it will run, but it seems to pop and almost backfire and die when I try and idle it down. Let me know what you think.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

Well sneezing at idle is caused by running too lean. The obvious cure is to open the slow speed mixture needle till it stops that. If that doesn't cure it, the idle passages in the carburetor are plugged up, OR you have an air leak (air getting into the crankcase) OR something is holding the carb throttle butterfly open (it should be completely closed at idle). A bit more on that---There is a mark on the brass cam that opens the butterfly roller. There is a pointer sticking up from the top of the intake manifold. The roller should just begin to open the butterfly when the mark on the cam aligns with the pointer.

Lemme study the wiring diagram and get back to you on the wire issue.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

To identify the solenoid: Use a multimeter to check continuity at the small terminals. Disconnect all other wires, and connect meter leads to the two small terminals. Should be continuity (a few ohms) If no continuity (infinity) connect meter leads to one small terminal and the solenoid base. Repeat with other small terminal. Should be no continuity (infinity) in either test If continuity (a few ohms) it is a car solenoid.

Testing without a multimeter: Use a couple of wires to connect a 12V battery to the two small terminals. If solenoid clicks, it is the correct one. If it does not click, it is a car solenoid (or no good). Confirm by connecting battery to one small terminal and the base. Repeat with the other one. If either causes it to click, it is a car solenoid.

I dunno, if you don't have a car solenoid, you must have a bad ground somewhere. Right now I'm at a loss diagnosing just where it is. Is the ground cable present between the powerhead and lower front motor cover? The thumb screw holding the main cable to the side of the motor is the ground connection--is it present and tight?

 

[Mr. Bwok]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

I went and bought a new marine solenoid and it stil burnt the wire. Let me get out the multimeter and test both solenoids. I have all the grounds in place, but will clean the connections up and see if that will resolve the issue as well. Will report back in the morning.

 

[Mr. Bwok]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

Well sneezing at idle is caused by running too lean. The obvious cure is to open the slow speed mixture needle till it stops that. If that doesn't cure it, the idle passages in the carburetor are plugged up, OR you have an air leak (air getting into the crankcase) OR something is holding the carb throttle butterfly open (it should be completely closed at idle). A bit more on that---There is a mark on the brass cam that opens the butterfly roller. There is a pointer sticking up from the top of the intake manifold. The roller should just begin to open the butterfly when the mark on the cam aligns with the pointer.

Lemme study the wiring diagram and get back to you on the wire issue.

I think you are bang on. I just realized that I only tapped in the welch plug. It seemed tight, but it may need some nail polish. Would this be enough of an air leak to cause the sneezing?

 

[F_R]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

Well, yes a leaking welsh plug can cause lean sneezing--if it indeed is leaking. You say you tapped it in. Does that mean you installed a new one and flattened it? And didn't go beyond flat? If so, it should be ok, but a bit of sealant won't do any harm.

 

[Mr. Bwok]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

Well, yes a leaking welsh plug can cause lean sneezing--if it indeed is leaking. You say you tapped it in. Does that mean you installed a new one and flattened it? And didn't go beyond flat? If so, it should be ok, but a bit of sealant won't do any harm.

I Installed a new one when I cleaned the carb, just tapped it tight, still has a crown on it, and is tight, but i will seal it as insurance. It was still sneezing this morning. I backed the low speed out 1.5 turns and have been trying to dial it in, but it will not stay running. I also have the burning wire fixed, by cleaning all connections at ground, and I t appears to have worked.

 

[Mr. Bwok]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

Still not idling going to hunt down air leaks.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 RDE-19 starter issue wire burning

Does opening or closing your low speed needle have any effect at all? IF not, I would say your slow speed circuit is still dirty---even though it sounds like you did it right, especially since you took out and replaced the welch plug. If that thing has the sintered fuel filter, sometimes they get stopped up and there's no way to tell and do weird stuff. BUt usually the clogged fuel filter only gives trouble on high speed. ANyway, F-R's helping you and he's the best there is on these old OMC's. That's a nice motor, hope you get it going right. Don't be too modest to post a pic of it if you get time.
JBJ