Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

T

TinmanJones

Cadet
Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Messages
8
Hello.
Im not very mechanical, so I ask that you guys please forgive me.
Today, while fishing with my wife, my pull rope broke on my Johnson 15. Good thing I had a fully charged battery and a trusty trolling motor.
Is there a video somewhere that might show me how exactly to change the pull rope myself?
Ive taken the cover off the motor, thinking it cant be that difficult. But after looking at it for just a few mintues, I decided I better ask someone else for some help.
So, here I am.
I hope you guys/gals here can look past the noob and help me out!
Its much appreciated!
Thanks.
 
Cofe

Cofe

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 23, 2009
Messages
1,883
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

What year is your 15 Johnson? A model number would also help.
Welcome to iboats....:)
 
T

TinmanJones

Cadet
Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Messages
8
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

Cofe said:
What year is your 15 Johnson? A model number would also help.
Welcome to iboats....:)
Click to expand...

Hello.
Nice to see another Arkansasan around these boards. Thanks for the welcome. I'm in Southern Arkansas.

The model number is 15R75C. So, with that number, Im guessing that Im dealing with a '75 model. Its only a guess though, because I have no idea what year it is.

Looking at it again, it looks as if I took the large bolt out of the top, everything would just slide off. But then I read about "the spring" and after reading a few posts here, that spring sounds mighty deadly. LOL

Thanks again for all your help.
 
T

TinmanJones

Cadet
Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Messages
8
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

Cofe said:
What year is your 15 Johnson? A model number would also help.
Welcome to iboats....:)
Click to expand...

Cofe said:
Here is a link to check out. The starter repair is about four pages down on this link. Welcome to iboats fellow Arkie.......there are a few here on the forum, mostly from Littlerock area. http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/Johnson 9.9_15.htm
Click to expand...

Ok. Great.
That site gave me the confidence to get out there and do it. So, its what I did.
Not that big of a deal. Or at least not as big of a deal as I was making it out to be.

NOW! My new dilemma. I cant for the life of me get it to "retract".

Im sure its because I dont have the starter pulley attached to the spring correctly, but Im not sure how it goes together, I dont guess. I thought I new, but apparently I dont, because it will not retract back into the pulley. It all fits back together correctly and the screw is tightened back down.

I pull, and it turns the motor over correctly, but it WILL NOT retract. :mad:

Any help with this?

Again, you've been a great help on this project so far.

Thanks!
 
Cofe

Cofe

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 23, 2009
Messages
1,883
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

The spring needs more tension. In order to do that, remove the pull handle and let the rope back into the spool. Then take a turn or two around the pulley with the rope to tighten up the spring a little and run the rope back out the rope hole and attach the handle.
 
T

TinmanJones

Cadet
Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Messages
8
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

Cofe said:
What year is your 15 Johnson? A model number would also help.
Welcome to iboats....:)
Click to expand...

Cofe said:
The spring needs more tension. In order to do that, remove the pull handle and let the rope back into the spool. Then take a turn or two around the pulley with the rope to tighten up the spring a little and run the rope back out the rope hole and attach the handle.
Click to expand...

Man, this is driving me nuts. LOL

I haven't attached the pull handle yet. I just have the rope (entire length that came in the package) wound into the spool.
I figure after I get it working correctly, then Ill cut it to the right length and install the handle.

I can roll it up over and over again with my fingers, pull it, and Im left with this (see photo).

I cant figure out how to "tighten up the spring a little", If that makes sense.?.?

I pull the rope, use my fingers to roll the rope back into the spool, and pull the rope, and finger roll back up into spool.

the1nod
[/URL][/IMG]
 
Cofe

Cofe

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 23, 2009
Messages
1,883
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

With the handle off, you should be able to turn the spool by finger, the direction that the spring gets more tension. It may take the whole amount of string, and get wound on the spool before enough tension is felt. Then feed the string back out the holes carefully, and attach the handle.
If you cannot feel the spring getting tighter as you wind it back on the spool, the spring may be broke, or the spring clip broke or unhooked from the spring.

You're doing ok for your first time, so have patience.
 
D

Daviet

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
8,958
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

When you installed the spring did you get both ends of the spring attached, one to the pully and the other to the cup? Was the rotation of the spring correct when you installed it?
 
BonairII

BonairII

Commander
Joined
Jun 7, 2011
Messages
2,727
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

I'm not completely familiar with your recoil, but I don't think you need to be "afraid" of the spring. Just make sure to wear safety glasses and gloves. Have someone help you if possible.

When I fixed my recoil(s), I wound the spring tight and clamped it all down with a C-clamp. Then I snaked a length of fishing lined into the recoil and out the hole and pulled the new rope in. I tied off the end and then unclamped the C-clamp and the recoil sucked in the new rope. I just replaced the pull rope on my Fastwin last week...thankfully I replaced the rope BEFORE it broke. Much easier to replace when the existing rope isn't broken.
 
R

Rick.

Captain
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
3,740
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

Just a word of advice so you don't have to rely on your battery. Have a six foot piece of starter cord in your boat at all times. If your recoil breaks on the water you can wrap the cord around the flywheel and give it a start that way. Has saved my day twice now. Best of luck with your recoil. Be prepared to get dirty and give it lots of grease as you put it back together. Rick.
 
T

TinmanJones

Cadet
Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Messages
8
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

Cofe said:
What year is your 15 Johnson? A model number would also help.
Welcome to iboats....:)
Click to expand...

Daviet said:
When you installed the spring did you get both ends of the spring attached, one to the pully and the other to the cup? Was the rotation of the spring correct when you installed it?
Click to expand...

First, thanks to everyone for your words of wisdom and advice.

Daviet - I never installed the spring, so to speak. Luckily, when I took the starter apart, the spring never came out of the "cup and spring guide assembly". So, it is just the way I found it when I started the project.

What should be an easy fix, has stressed me out completely, only because the rope wont recoil after its pulled.

Looking at this diagram, Im thinking that my problem might be with the "spring retainer". It appears that its fixed on the bottom of my "starter pulley". Molded onto the pulley.
I cant figure out how that little piece attaches to the spring.

Looking at this diagram, it looks like that little spring retainer is by itself. But its just part of the plastic starter pulley on my motor. Ive tried and tried to get it to fit my spring, but cant figure it out.

So, I just put it together and hoped that the retainer would catch the spring and do what its suppose to. But that hasnt seemed to work yet.

 
Cofe

Cofe

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 23, 2009
Messages
1,883
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

Your rewind spring should have a rolled up curl on the inside, just like the curl on the outside of the spring. If it doesn't, the spring is broke.
That rolled up curl on the inside of the spring should slide up into the spring retainer.
I would suggest you look at the spring retainer clip on your pulley, and see if a broken end of the spring is still in there.

Don't stress out too much......too hot to go fishing......LOL....
 
R

Rick.

Captain
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
3,740
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

The diagram you have here is for a recoil from 1979 and later. You said your is a 1975. The 75 does not show the spring retainer. Have a look here. http://epc.brp.com/SiteMods/BRP_Public/BRP_Public_Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/Index.aspx I think on your there is a pin in the plate that the spring center hooks to. Cofe above may well be right that it has snapped oof at the end or the pin may have broken as well. Rick.
 
A

AlTn

Commander
Joined
Mar 9, 2010
Messages
2,813
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

thinking along the same lines as Cofe and Rick...somewhere on the underside of the starter pulley is "something" that should retain that end of the spring which will then allow you to "wind" the spring until you feel tension on the spring and it tries to unwind itself....don't overlook the small *** on the underside of the cup when you reinstall the starter...that *** fits into a hole which then holds the cup in a set position
 
R

Rick.

Captain
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
3,740
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

Cofe. No harm done. I only know because the first part I ever bought for an outboard was a recoil starter unit for my 82 and it was the one for 78 and older that I bought. Unfortunately, that's often how I learn these things. LOL. Rick.
 
T

TinmanJones

Cadet
Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Messages
8
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

Cofe said:
What year is your 15 Johnson? A model number would also help.
Welcome to iboats....:)
Click to expand...

Cofe said:
Didn't realize the picture on that link I gave you was of a different year. Anyhow they are similar and operate with the same principle. Here is a new link to your starter and parts description. Make sure to check that spring and the underside of lower starter pulley. Hope you get it working soon.
http://www.boats.net/parts/search/BRP/JOHNSON/1975/15R75C/REWIND STARTER/parts.html
Click to expand...

Well done guys.
You all have been a tremendous help.

After working on this thing most of the morning, I noticed there is a little piece of the "retainer", that is molded to the lower pulley, that is chipped and broken off. This little problem is keeping my spring from winding.
I can get it to wind and I can even pull the cord a couple of times and it works correctly. But after about 3 pulls, it just slips and wont work anymore.
SO, looks like I'm going to be replacing the lower pulley.

I like the new link you sent Cofe. The lower pulley on this link is cheaper than the first link you sent.

If you guys are familiar with another, cheaper place to order this part, please feel free to post it here.
Im searching Google as we speak.

Thanks again for your help.
 
R

Rick.

Captain
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
3,740
Re: Johnson 15 pull rope/cord help.

You might be able to drill out the broken pin and press a new on in yourself. You've got nothing to loose by trying. I'm thinking one of those small roll pins so you can under drill the hole be a few thousandths and it would press in nice and tight and they are hardened so not likely to bend. Sometimes I think I'm cheap. LOL. Please don't take offense but you really do need to get an original OMC service manual for your specific engine. The recoil repair is all spelled out in it as well as a whole lot more. Did you know there is a torque setting for the recoil? See what I mean. Don't get me wrong, we are all too happy to help but I for one am reluctant to type more than a few paragraphs to explain something the manual contains. I really don't like typing. Rick.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top