johnson 90 hp - starter problem

fattypackard

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 23, 2010
Messages
33
for a couple of weeks it would just click...so i would tap the starter a couple of times and it would engage and crank the engine. it would run great after that.

then the boat would sit for a week, and again...try to start...click click click.
tapped the starter a couple of times and vroooom.

finally i figured i needed to address the issue, which i assumed the starter needed a rebuild (wouldnt hurt either way)

got the starter rebuilt....put it on the engine, and turned the key and the starter gear spun like hell.

so it cranked the engine great a couple of times. then the click came back!
and now, the starter does not engage at ALL. just a loud click everytime i turn the ignition.

any ideas on where to start?
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: johnson 90 hp - starter problem

90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one.

Be sure the cables area connected to the correct battery post. crossing cables, usually blows the rectifier, and can blow more.

also have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, free, i've had new batteries go bad
 

fattypackard

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 23, 2010
Messages
33
Re: johnson 90 hp - starter problem

ok i will check the connections and wires tomorrow.

the starter has been rebuilt as of two weeks ago. so i was real confused. hah

so, to jump the start take some jumper cables and connect just the positive battery terminal to the post on the starter? if that works...what should i check?
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: johnson 90 hp - starter problem

starter solenoid, iginition switch. battery load tested.
 

fattypackard

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 23, 2010
Messages
33
Re: johnson 90 hp - starter problem

will try and figure it out tomorrow. thanks for the tips!
 

ezeke

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: johnson 90 hp - starter problem

Banging on a starter is a great way to crack the magnets and eventually destroy the starter. The best practice is to replace the worn parts, especially the brushes. .
 

emdsapmgr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 9, 2005
Messages
11,551
Re: johnson 90 hp - starter problem

You may have a bad starter solenoid. When the contacts get burned over the years, they won't transfer current properly. If you have good starting by using jumper cables, (bypassing the solenoid) consider replacing the solenoid.
 
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