88 Johnson 70 VRO starting problems

First, just want to say, you guys do an awesome job on this website. I am new to boating, and new to working on engines, but your information makes it easy to understand.

So heres my problem .

I have a 88 Johnson 70 hp. Never been in ocean, no rust no nothing, in good shape. (outside visually). Anyways, I bought it about 4 months ago, been working on the body the whole time, just finished. So anwyays, started it a bunch of times during the bodywork part, ran fine, started fine. The last 2 weeks I havent started it, was finishing painting and such. Now it does not start, even full choke on the controls by the steering wheel. I took the cover off the outboard and there is a red switch by the carburators. It was all the way left, in the run position. I changed it to the manual position, and it starts. I read on your website that that is dangerous and all that, I do not understand what that thing does. Is it shot or?
I just wanna get out in the water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thanks for any help, it is totally appreciated!!


( I Just held the key in for 8 seconds and it started right away.. never tried that before, but why would it start before without doing that?.. gonna try again in the morning.)

Re: 88 Johnson 70 VRO starting problems

with the key in the 'on' position, push the key in, you should be able to hear that solenoid click. if not it is not working, check connections on it.

Primer Solenoid
the primer replaced the old choke butterflies in the carborators, pushing in the key activates it, like the old choke plates, but injects fuel directly into the intake.
The red handle is used when your battery is dead, and you have to rope start. You move the handle 180 degrees.
Normal operating position is with the handle back over the body of the solenoid, like in the picture below.