Hard Starting

[Scooterman 123]

Hi all, I have a 2004 Johnson 50 hp on a Crest Pontoon. Boat starts great?sometimes! I bought it last fall, and to start it, I would have to play with the shifter lever to get it to start and then it would crank right up. This year, boy do I have to work at it. I have to wiggle the handle, push it right to the edge before it goes into forward, say a little prayer and hope it cranks. When it is in the exact right position, engine starts beautifully. It seems like it needs adjustment?is there a switch in the throttle somewhere that needs adjusting, or is there one on the engine, or both? I mainly need to know where to look, and cant seem to find anything in particular to help me get started. I dont want to take the throttle control apart if I dont need to.
Thank you!

 

[boobie]

Re: Hard Starting

There is a neutral start safety switch in the control box and it could be loose or defective. Bite the bullet.

 

[Scooterman 123]

Re: Hard Starting

OK, thanks, I took the box apart and found the switch. Not loose, took it out and held it closed with my finger and tried to start engine and nothing happened. Am I missing anything else, fuse or engine switch, before I remove wires and take it to dealer for a replacement.

 

[boobie]

Re: Hard Starting

Trace the yellow/red wires that come from the switch to a connector. Pull that apart and take a jumper wire and put that across the two yellow/red that go to wiring harness. Then try it and see what happens.

 

[Scooterman 123]

Re: Hard Starting

Ok, done that still no start. I have pulled all the shrouds from the engine to get to the starter motor. I rotated the starter shaft by hand to see if it was binding up but it's free. Jumped from the solenoid to the starter and it rolls over but not with the key. Checked all the wires and connections found nothing loose or bad. Found fuses in holders checked them. Now I'm at a loss.......