Johnson 25 hp Cold Start issue

[Paguilar1986]

Hello everyone,

I am new to owning a boat, and I am still learning my way around the parts of my outboard motor. I have a 1991-2 Stroke Johnson 25 hp motor. It works great, but I have a lot of trouble getting it to start when cold.

I always make sure I prime the bulb first. I do hear the primer solenoid “click”, but when I try to start her up cold...it’s always a struggle. I have to take the engine cover off and manually hold down the throttle linkage, so that way the motor can startup. As I mentioned before, after having the motor run for a while, I am able to start her up easily when warm. It’s only when the motor hasn’t been running for a long period of time that I struggle to get her started.


What is the startup procedure (e.g. turning the key and pushing to prime, the idle lever all the way up)?

What should I check for or work on if I keep having this problem with a cold start?

Again, I’m new to owning a boat and I am still learning, so take it easy on me please.

 

[flyingscott]

Are you holding the key in while starting

 

[racerone]

Hold the key in during the cranking.-----Pushing it in before cranking is not the correct procedure.

 

[Paguilar1986]

Okay, I won’t push it in before cranking it. I have tried the other method though, of pushing it while cranking. It still doesn’t start right away though. I have to hold down the throttle linkage, so the motor will start up.

 

[racerone]

Then there is something wrong with your motor / linkages.-----Are you giving it some throttle in neutral ?----Load test the battery.------Take starter apart for inspection / ohm test.

 

[Paguilar1986]

I have done the following replacements: new battery, new carb, the starter has been cleaned, new spark plugs, and the primer solenoid has also been cleaned.

When you say, “Have I given it some throttle in neutral?”, what exactly do you mean? To do a cold start I have to remove the cover to the motor. Then, I have to hold down the throttle linkage to be able to turn the motor on. When the motor has been running for a while though and I turn it off, she starts up right away without any issues.

thank you for all your help and advice!

 

[racerone]

So there appears to be a problem of starting procedure / operation of your controls.----I have no idea of what your boat / controls look like.----Post pictures for further input !

 

[Paguilar1986]

[No message]

 

[Silvertip]

That black tab at the back edge of the control box is the fast idle lever. With the shifter in neutral, raise that lever 2/3 up and now crank the engine while pushing in on the key. When the engine fires, low the fast idle lever to a comfortable fast idle during warm up. Then lower the lever fully and go boating. During warm up, if the engine tends to slow and try to die, quickly push in on the key (just a bump) to keep the engine going.

 

[Paguilar1986]

Okay, thank you with the help over the startup procedure. I will try it out.

Have you heard of other people having trouble with a cold start on Johnson motors? I’ve just been going crazy trying to figure out why I have such a hard time with cold starts, but after she runs she sounds and runs great!

I just finished ordering a new primer solenoid

 

[racerone]

With the right procedure these motors start right up.------But then motors in poor condition or a confused operator it is a different story.----Why did you not test the primer valve before rushing out to buy a new one ???

 

[Paguilar1986]

Thank you again for all the tips and the correct start up procedure! I truly do appreciate the advice.

 

[Mohawkmtrs]

...so, does it start easier/better/quicker now?

 

[Paguilar1986]

I haven’t had a chance to try it out. I’m out of town at the moment. I will let you know when I try.

 

[Paguilar1986]

Okay, I tried out the start up procedure you all told me about, but still no luck. I have to manually hold down the throttle for it to fire up on a cold start

 

[flyingscott]

What is the small lever on the control doing? When you push that up does the throttle move at all?

 

[Paguilar1986]

I lifted the fast idle lever about 2/3 up. Then, I turned the key on while pushing it, but the engine will not start up. I have to manually hold down the throttle linkage so the engine can startup. When I push up on the fast idle lever, the throttle doesn’t move very much.

 

[flyingscott]

Try going all the way with the lever and remember to push the key in. Your controller may also be broken inside, because that small lever should be doing what you are manually doing. Also is the throttle cable pulling the linkage tight against the stop?

 

[Paguilar1986]

Yes, the throttle cable is pulling tight. Is removing the controller very difficult?

 

[flyingscott]

Put up a pic of your controller.