1974 Johnson 9.9 won't start after tilt up then down

bobrcw · Sep 28, 2012

My 1974 Johnson 9.9 electric start runs great except that it frequently won't start after being lowered from the tilted position. Sometimes moving the tilt lock lever slightly after lowering it will allow it to start. Other times we have to play with that lever and try moving the entire engine before it will start. Once started it will continue to run with no problem, even if we turn it off and then restart it. Sometimes it takes us several minutes of playing around with it before it will start. Once we tried pulling the rope starter when it was in that condition and that wouldn't start it either. It's on a sailboat so it is frequently tilted.

Anybody have any idea what could be causing this?

Haffiman · Sep 28, 2012

Re: 1974 Johnson 9.9 won't start after tilt up then down

Pull down and re-build the carb. Get a complete kit and change the float valve to the type where the needle is attached to the float with a small pin. What might be the problem is that the needle gets stuck and does not open for fuel. Test next time it happens by just giving the carb a short knock. Tilt lever and position has nothing to do with it directly, just that you are probably shaking the needle loose when playing with it.

bobrcw · Sep 28, 2012

Re: 1974 Johnson 9.9 won't start after tilt up then down

Haffiman said:
Pull down and re-build the carb. Get a complete kit and change the float valve to the type where the needle is attached to the float with a small pin. What might be the problem is that the needle gets stuck and does not open for fuel. Test next time it happens by just giving the carb a short knock. Tilt lever and position has nothing to do with it directly, just that you are probably shaking the needle loose when playing with it.

Thanks, but I'm sure it's not the carburator. When we are having the problem the electric start button does not turn over the starter motor. If we are successful by wiggling the tilt lever, the start button turns over the starter and it starts right up.

kodibass · Sep 28, 2012

Re: 1974 Johnson 9.9 won't start after tilt up then down

Check all the ground wires around the starter, and other wire connections look for corrosion and loose connections, cracked or worn through wires,

Haffiman · Sep 28, 2012

Re: 1974 Johnson 9.9 won't start after tilt up then down

Are you having a 'cranking problem' or a 'starting' problem'??
Whatever it is, as long as your tilt lever is not operated electrically by the start circuit and/or connected for some reason to the ignition, the lever itself has nothing to do with the problem.

Haffiman · Sep 28, 2012

Re: 1974 Johnson 9.9 won't start after tilt up then down

What might create a 'problem' when tilting is the neutral start switch on the engine. Tilting the engine might bend/put stress on the shift cable (if remote) and disturb the function of the switch. #56
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/j...urer=Johnson&section=Cylinder+&+Crankcase

bobrcw · Sep 28, 2012

Re: 1974 Johnson 9.9 won't start after tilt up then down

Haffiman said:
Are you having a 'cranking problem' or a 'starting' problem'??
Whatever it is, as long as your tilt lever is not operated electrically by the start circuit and/or connected for some reason to the ignition, the lever itself has nothing to do with the problem.

The fact that it would not start by pulling the starter rope made me think there was some kind of switch to prevent the engine from starting when it was in the tilted position. If there is such a safety lock, I can't find it.

Haffiman · Sep 28, 2012

Re: 1974 Johnson 9.9 won't start after tilt up then down

bobrcw said:
The fact that it would not start by pulling the starter rope made me think there was some kind of switch to prevent the engine from starting when it was in the tilted position. If there is such a safety lock, I can't find it.

No such device! Starting by rope pull or starting by electric starter are two different things, unless the engine usually starts within 2-3 turns of the flywheel by using the electric starter!

OptsyEagle · Sep 28, 2012

Re: 1974 Johnson 9.9 won't start after tilt up then down

Perhaps the kill switch is shorting. You could disconnect it's clips to verify or rule it out.

jim j geezer · Sep 28, 2012

Re: 1974 Johnson 9.9 won't start after tilt up then down

Here's a question to ask: Does the neutral safety switch just disable the electric starter, or does it kill the ignition?

steelespike · Sep 28, 2012

Re: 1974 Johnson 9.9 won't start after tilt up then down

There is a neutral start switch between the start button and the starter. red wires.
I would think the switch interacts with the shift or throttle linkage at some point.

Haffiman · Sep 28, 2012

Re: 1974 Johnson 9.9 won't start after tilt up then down

jim j geezer said:
Here's a question to ask: Does the neutral safety switch just disable the electric starter, or does it kill the ignition?

It's in the primary circuit to starter relay, not in the ignition circuit.

bobrcw · Sep 30, 2012

Re: 1974 Johnson 9.9 won't start after tilt up then down

Haffiman said:
It's in the primary circuit to starter relay, not in the ignition circuit.

We went out in the boat today and solved the problem. It turns out there are two separate issues. The rope starter will start the motor when the electric starter is not working, but it does not work every time and needs a little maintainance. The electric starter problem is being caused by bad wiring right where the wires from the battery enter the motor frame. Push the top of the motor backwards and the electric starter works. Pull the top of the motor very slightly forward and it does not work.
Thanks to everyone that responded. It helped us narrow down the trouble.

1974 Johnson 9.9 won't start after tilt up then down

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